News releases

May 12, 2008

TO: Assignment editors, reporters
FROM: Liz Beyler, (608) 263-1986, lbkraak@wisc.edu
RE: ADVISORY/COMMENCEMENT COVERAGE

This advisory includes logistical details for reporters and photographers planning to cover University of Wisconsin-Madison commencement ceremonies this weekend, May 16-18, at the Kohl Center.

- Floor credentials for reporters and photographers will be available inside the Kohl Center media entrance on Frances Street starting an hour before each ceremony. The credentials allow the media to move freely around the floor. Access to the stage will not be allowed.

- Media parking will be available in Lot 91 behind the Madison School District Administration Building. Parking permits are not required. Media representatives should enter on Bedford Street and tell the parking attendant they are there to cover commencement.

- A mult box will be available for broadcast recording. It will be located on the electricians' table to the right of the stage.

- Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson will address the graduates at both Saturday ceremonies. UW-Madison alumna Kay Koplovitz, founder of the USA Network, the first woman network president in the history of television and currently chair of the board of Liz Claiborne Inc., will speak at both Sunday ceremonies.

- All of the ceremonies will be streamed live for the benefit of friends and relatives who are unable to attend. Windows Media Player and a broadband connection are required in order to view the ceremonies. The link to the streaming will be on the university's main Web site at http://www.wisc.edu. The stream will not be available until the start of each ceremony. Transcripts of the major commencement speeches will be posted on the university's Web site by noon on Monday, May 19.

- The schedule of ceremonies and names of the University Communications employees who will be staffing them follows.

- Friday, May 16, 5:30 p.m.: All doctoral and professional degrees (includes Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Musical Arts, Doctor of Juridical Science, Juris Doctor, Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Doctor of Pharmacy, Doctor of Audiology, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Laws, Master of Legal Institutions, Master of Physical Therapy, Master of Public Health) (Peter Kleppin)

- Saturday, May 17, 10 a.m.: Bachelor's and master's degrees from the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, School of Education, Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, School of Human Ecology, School of Medicine and Public Health, School of Nursing, and School of Pharmacy (Liz Beyler)

- Saturday, May 17, 2 p.m.: Bachelor's and master's degrees from the School of Business and College of Engineering (Madeline Fisher)

- Sunday, May 18, 10 a.m.: Bachelor's and master's degrees from the College of Letters and Science majors A through H (African Languages and Literature through History of Science) (John Lucas)

- Sunday, May 18, 2 p.m.: Bachelor's and master's degrees from the College of Letters and Science majors I through Z (International Public Affairs through Zoology) (Jill Sakai).

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