UW Tacoma prepares for 22nd Commencement ceremony

Members of the University of Washington Tacoma's Class of 2012, the institution's biggest graduating class to date, will celebrate their accomplishments at Commencement on June 8 in the Tacoma Dome.

Members of the University of Washington Tacoma's Class of 2012, the institution's biggest graduating class to date, will celebrate their accomplishments at Commencement, June 8, in the Tacoma Dome, 2727 East D St., Tacoma. Doors open at 9 a.m., and the ceremony begins at 10 a.m.

Organizers advise graduates and families to arrive early, as traffic and parking will likely be heavy, particularly due to detours on the main downtown exit on northbound Interstate 5.

Around 1,341 students will graduate this year. The exact number will be known after grades are submitted and degrees are posted. Last year, 1,150 diplomas were awarded.

Organizers expect about 930 graduates to participate in Commencement ceremonies. During the ceremony, the national anthem will be sung by graduating senior Julia Suico. IAS graduate Bryan Anderson will deliver the student speech.

UW President Michael K. Young will officiate during the Commencement ceremonies. Susan Dreyfus, president and CEO of Families International, will deliver the keynote address. 

Prior to joining Families International earlier this year, Dreyfus was secretary for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. She was appointed by Gov. Chris Gregoire in May 2009 and served as a member of the Governor’s Executive Cabinet

The winner of the Chancellor's Medal, which goes to the graduate with the highest academic achievement, will be announced during Commencement.

The first class of graduates from two new majors, Criminal Justice and Sustainable Urban Development, will walk at the 2012 Commencement. The Criminal Justice program’s first class has 32 graduates; Sustainable Urban Development has two graduates in its first class.

After this year's degrees are awarded, the total number of UW Tacoma alumni will surpass 12,000.