Communication Associate: Public Relations | Lori Melton | lmelton@d.umn.edu | (218) 726-8830
May 8, 2013 Lucy Kragness | Office of the Chancellor | 218 726-6176 | lkrangnes@d.umn.edu
Lori Melton | Communication Associate | External Affairs | 218 726-8830 | lmelton@d.umn.edu
UMD 2013 Commencement Ceremonies Scheduled
Note to Media:
During the undergraduate ceremonies on Saturday, May 18 -
The Bulldog Lounge at Amsoil Arena has been designated for the media. No access to the floor will be
permitted.
For the first time, the University of Minnesota Duluth will host two bachelor's
degree ceremonies on May 18 at Amsoil Arena in the Duluth Entertainment and Convention
Center. UMD Chancellor Dr. Lendley C. Black will preside over the commencements, which are
scheduled as follows:
10 a.m.
Labovitz School of Business and Economics, Swenson College of Science and Engineering
3 p.m.
College of Education and Human Service Professions, College of Liberal Arts, School of Fine Arts
1,424 students, total, will march in the ceremonies. 2,028 students are receiving bachelor's
degrees from UMD this year.
University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler will deliver the commencement address at both
ceremonies.
More about President Kaler:
When Eric Kaler took office on July 1, 2011, he became only the second alumnus to rise to
the position of the University of Minnesota president. President Kaler received his Ph.D. in
chemical engineering from the University in 1982 and went on to become one of the nation's
foremost experts on complex fluids, which have applications in drug delivery, food processing,
pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing. In 2012, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano
named President Kaler to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council.
In 2013, he was named a Charter Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.
Student Speakers:
At the 10 a.m. ceremony, Tricia Nielsen is the student speaker. Nielsen is receiving a bachelor of
accounting degree, summa cum laude, departmental honors, Labovitz School of Business and
Economics.
Taylor Kosey is the student speaker at the 3 p.m. ceremony. Kosey is receiving a bachelor
of science degree, Communication Sciences and Disorders, summa cum laude, College of
Education and Human Services Profession.
Graduate Program Ceremony Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 7 p.m.
Romano Gymnasium at UMD
UMD will confer 271 graduate degrees. Two are Ph.Ds, 14 are doctorates in education, and 255
are master's degrees. 206 graduate students will participate in Thursday's commencement.
Mr. Kevin K. Washburn, Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs for the U.S. Department of the
Interior, will deliver the featured commencement address.
More about Assistant Secretary Washburn:
Washburn is an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma. He was sworn into office
on October 9, 2012.
Washburn is the 12th Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs to be confirmed since the position was
established in the late 1970s. In addition to carrying out the Department's trust responsibilities
regarding the management of tribal and individual Indian trust lands and assets, the Assistant
Secretary is responsible for promoting the self-determination and economic self-sufficiency
of the nation's 566 federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes and their
approximately two million enrolled members.