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News Release

Last modified: Wednesday, April 29, 2009

IU Bloomington Senior Sendoff, Baccalaureate scheduled for May 8

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2009

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University President Michael A. McRobbie and First Lady Laurie Burns McRobbie will welcome IU Bloomington's graduating seniors to a Senior Send-Off Reception scheduled for Friday, May 8, from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

The reception will take place in the inner lobby of IU Auditorium at 1211 E. Seventh St. Students are invited to bring family and friends to enjoy light refreshments and music.

"This event is one of the highlights of Commencement Weekend," said President McRobbie. "It gives Laurie and me a wonderful opportunity to spend time with students and their families, to hear their stories of achievement and their plans for the future, and to learn what Indiana University has come to mean to them. Both of us value such moments and greatly look forward to offering our personal congratulations to IU's newest graduates."

Immediately following the reception, students and their guests are invited to attend the traditional Baccalaureate Ceremony from 5 to 5:45 p.m. at IU Auditorium. Baccalaureate will be observed in an interfaith ceremony that draws from the teachings and practices of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism, featuring prayers from different faith traditions as well as meditation, music and celebration.

Edwin C. Marshall, vice president for diversity, equity and multicultural affairs at IU, will address the crowd.

In use since at least the eighth century, the word "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. Records show that IU has hosted a baccalaureate celebration the day before commencement for nearly 170 years.

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.

IU Bloomington's commencement ceremonies will be May 9 (Saturday) at Assembly Hall, 1001 E. 17th St. at 10 a.m. for the morning ceremony and 3 p.m. for the afternoon ceremony.

For information about commencement and related events, visit https://www.commencement.iu.edu/.

About the IU Alumni Association

The IU Alumni Association is dedicated to serving the university and its diverse alumni, students and friends. As one of the nation's largest alumni organizations, serving more than 495,000 graduates worldwide, the IUAA provides many programs and services to its members, non-member alumni and the university. For information, visit www.alumni.indiana.edu or call 800-824-3044.

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