Western celebrates the Class of 2017

Graduation will feature 402 graduates: 342 will receive their bachelor’s degrees and 60 will receive graduate degrees. Students hail from 37 different states and three foreign countries.

Alumna Nancy Chisholm ‘90 will serve as commencement speaker. Chisholm is the former vice president and general manager of Tyco Retail Solutions, a $1 billion vertical business unit of Tyco, headquartered in Neuhausen, Switzerland.

Chisholm has been recognized internally as a Tyco Chairman’s Award winner and externally as one of Diversity Magazine’s “50 Women Worth Watching.” She has a passion for mentoring and development of early to mid-career professionals, and serves as an Executive Sponsor for Tyco’s “Women’s Growth Network.” She graduated from Western with a bachelor’s degree.

Scott Doyle will give the student commencement address. The Lafayette, Colorado-native is to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a History minor.

Duane Vandenbusche, Ph.D., professor of History, who has taught at Western since 1962, will serve as the Faculty Marshal. He will be accompanied by Assistant Marshals Al Caniff, Ph.D, professor of Art; and Kathleen Kinkema, Ph.D., professor of Exercise & Sport Science and associate vice president of Academic Affairs. Western students Ross Husch, Emma Sellen and Denton Williams and will serve as Junior Marshals.

Commencement ceremony details

• The Emeritus and Tenured Faculty reception will take place on Thursday, May 4 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. in the University Center South Ballroom.
• The Senior Reception will take place on Friday, May 5 in the University Center Ballroom from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
• Commencement will take place on Saturday, May 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Following Commencement, there will be a cake and punch social in the University Center Ballroom. This is a chance for students, parents, faculty and friends to mingle before they say their goodbyes.

Free graduation shuttle service

A complimentary shuttle will run to and from commencement from the following locations:

• Comfort Inn
• Econolodge
• The Holiday Inn
• The Seasons Inn
• Quality Inn
• ABC Motel

*Morning pick up schedule:

• 8:15 a.m.
• 8:30 a.m.
• 8:45 a.m.
• 9:00 a.m.
• 9:30 a.m.
• 9:45 a.m.

*Pick-up times are approximate.

Post-ceremony schedule:

Right after the ceremony until 1:30 p.m., attendees can catch shuttles back to their hotels from the Mountaineer Bowl and University Center.

Please contact Facilities Services with any questions: 970.943.7119.

For more information, visit western.edu/graduation.