Alfred Berkeley

U.Va. to hold 171st Final Exercises May 21

More than 30,000 people are expected on the Lawn to attend graduation, which begins at 10 a.m. on May 21. Alfred R. Berkeley III, president of the Nasdaq stock market, will be the commencement speaker.

Following the academic procession, Berkeley, a 1966 graduate of the College of Arts & Sciences, will address about 5,360 students and their families and guests.

Berkeley became president of Nasdaq, the world's first electronic-based stock market, in 1996. With an emphasis on technology, it has become the country's second-largest stock market.

Andy Rooney

To help ease the crowding and to provide seating for some guests without tickets, U.Va. officials have arranged for up to 1,400 people to view the ceremony from four air-conditioned auditoriums. Seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 8 a.m. in handicapped-accessible locations at Newcomb Hall Theater, the Chemistry auditorium and two auditoriums in Gilmer Hall.

On May 20, Andy Rooney, Emmy Award-winning CBS News correspondent, author and columnist, will be the keynote speaker at U.Va.'s Valedictory Exercises. Organized by the Class of 2000, the 11 a.m. ceremony will include announcements of some of the University's most prestigious awards, presentation of the class gift, and a talk by Rooney, who is currently in his 22nd season with CBS News' "60 Minutes."

Sunday's Final Exercises also may be viewed live online at http://www.virginia.edu/majorevents/webcast.html

For information, call 982-3099, or visit the graduation Web site at http://www.virginia.edu/majorevents

In case of severe inclement weather, Berkeley will speak at University Hall at the Arts & Sciences graduation ceremony. If the weather is questionable, call 982-2908.