U.VA. GRADUATION WEEKEND EVENTS
SET FOR MAY 17-18

	CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., April 24 -- More than 30,000 people,
including family and friends of the University of Virginia's 1997
graduating class, are expected to fill the historic Lawn for Final
Exercises on Sunday, May 18.
	The 168th graduation ceremony will begin with the traditional
and colorful academic procession from the Rotunda at 10 a.m. Former
state senator and longtime education advocate Hunter B. Andrews will
deliver the Commencement address. More than 4,400 degrees are expected
to be awarded. 
	After U.Va. President John T. Casteen III confers
baccalaureate, graduate and professional degrees, the 1997 graduates
will receive their diplomas in separate ceremonies organized by each
of the University's 10 schools at various locations around the
Grounds. 
	Inclement weather sites for Final Exercises vary according to
schools and departments, with University Hall serving as the rain site
for ticketed guests of the College and Graduate School of Arts and
Sciences and the School of Engineering and Applied Science ceremony.
Andrews would speak at the 10 a.m. indoor ceremony.
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April 23, 1997
	For additional information, call the Graduation Information
Line at (804) 982-2908 or Katherine Jackson in U.Va. News Services at
(804) 924-3629.  Television reporters should call our TV News Office
at (804) 924-7550.