Finals factoids

Finals 2003 is stirring not only as a spectacle but also as a celebration of scholarship, service and personal achievement. Here are some facts about the people, the day and the University:

• A total of 5,673 students are candidates to receive degrees, including graduates from last August and January. Of those, 3,319 are undergraduates, 1,874 graduates and 480 first professional. Also, 580 are international students.

• Five students are graduating with perfect cumulative grade-point averages of 4.0 — Lauren Elizabeth Celello (a fall 2002 degree recipient), Timothy Andrew Johnson, Heather Million Layton, Janna Beth Swets Lind and Joanna James Mcelroy.

• Twelve sets of twins will receive degrees, including Sarah and Emily Beck, who both are receiving marketing and management degrees from the McIntire School of Commerce, and Rachel and Kristin Paccione, who both are Echols scholars receiving degrees in interdisciplinary studies.

• The oldest degree recipient is Charles B. Howard, who is scheduled to receive his bachelor of arts degree in sociology Sunday at the age of 63 years and 9 months. The youngest is Jennifer Wolf, who received her bachelor of arts in biology last August at the age of 18 years and 8 months. The youngest recipient this spring is Daniel Rutherford, who will receive his bachelor of arts in foreign affairs at the age of 19 years and 10 months.

• Some 225 University employees prepared for Finals by setting up 38,000 chairs (including 19,500 on the Lawn), putting up 6,500 feet of roping, erecting 11 stages, preparing 15 different sound systems and installing 12 ramps for people with disabilities.

• Nine University graduates will be entering the Peace Corps, which has recognized U.Va. as the top volunteer-producing university in the nation among mid-size schools (enrollment between 5,000 and 15,000 students). In all, 727 U.Va. grads have served in the Peace Corps, and more than 60 are currently in service.