Last modified: Tuesday, May 3, 2005
IU Bloomington to hold baccalaureate service on Friday
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Baccalaureate, an interfaith celebration of academic achievement, will be held at Indiana University Bloomington on Friday (May 6) -- the day before commencement ceremonies.
All members of the Class of 2005, and their parents, family and friends are invited to attend the event, which begins at 5 p.m. at the IU Auditorium, 1211 E. Seventh St. Admission is free, and the event will last about 45 minutes. No registration is required to attend.
In order to reflect the world citizenship of the IU Bloomington community, baccalaureate incorporates elements from Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism, including prayers for strength, guidance and wisdom from each of these faith traditions. The event will include music, a blessing of the graduates and a message delivered by Kenneth R.R. Gros Louis, IU senior vice president for academic affairs and chancellor of the Bloomington campus.
The word baccalaureate is steeped in academic tradition. In use since at least the eighth century, baccalaureate has come to refer not only to a degree that is awarded at commencement but also to a spiritual observance that celebrates achievement and aspiration.
Baccalaureate follows the Graduation Send-Off at Bryan House, a short walk from the IU Auditorium, which will last from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
IU Bloomington's commencement ceremonies will be held on May 7 at Assembly Hall, 1001 E. 17th St. The morning ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. and the afternoon ceremony at 3 p.m.
Pay parking for baccalaureate is available at the Indiana Memorial Union, 900 E. Seventh St., and at the Jordan Avenue parking garage, which is located north of Read Hall at 125 S. Jordan Ave., between Third and Seventh Streets. Handicapped parking is available at the IU Auditorium.
The IU Alumni Association serves the university and its more than 466,000 living graduates through programs, services and communications. One of the nation's largest alumni organizations, the IUAA strives daily to connect alumni and serve IU. For more information, visit https://www.alumni.indiana.edu or call (800) 824-3044.
