This spring 5,417 graduates are expected to receive diplomas at the University of California, Davis, in ceremonies honoring the largest graduating class in the history of the campus.
A series of commencement exercises begins Saturday, May 23, and ends Sunday, June 21, as individuals graduate from three colleges and four professional schools. The number of students expected to complete their undergraduate studies this spring comes to 2,552, bringing the total number of undergraduate diplomas awarded this academic year to 4,092. The number of students receiving graduate or professional degrees is 1,325.
The first ceremony of the spring is for the School of Law, where 157 candidates are eligible for doctor of law degrees. The commencement program will take place Saturday, May 23, at 1:30 p.m. in Recreation Hall. Catharine MacKinnon, whose work on sexual harassment and pornography has earned her a reputation as one of the nation's most prominent feminist legal theorists, will be the commencement speaker. MacKinnon, a professor of law at the University of Michigan, is regarded as one of the pioneers of feminist law.
On Friday, June 12, the School of Medicine will award doctor of medicine degrees to 95 students at a 6 p.m. ceremony in the Medical Sciences Quadrangle. Dr. Frances Conley, a neurosurgeon at Stanford University's School of Medicine, will be the keynote speaker. Conley received national media attention last June when she resigned her position at Stanford because of what she described as a sexist environment. Conley has since decided to remain with the school, but vows not to tolerate the same hostile climate.
The School of Veterinary Medicine will hold its graduation ceremony Saturday, June 13, at
10 a.m. in Recreation Hall. Doctor of veterinary medicine degrees will be awarded to 116 students. In addition, 35 students will receive a master of preventive medicine degree, and 28 students will be awarded residency certificates. Dr. George B.E. West, a lecturer in the School's epidemiology and preventive medicine department and staff veterinarian for the California Department of Food and Agriculture, will be the faculty speaker. West is a specialist in avian and swine medicine as well as in the tracking of diseases in animal populations.
On Thursday, June 18, Graduate Studies will award 845 graduate degrees to students in a 6:30 p.m. ceremony at Recreation Hall. Peter R. Marler, a professor of zoology at UC Davis, will be the faculty speaker, and Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Larry Vanderhoef will preside over the graduation ceremony. During the evening ceremony, 517 master's degrees and 325 doctorates will be awarded to students. In addition, three students will receive candidate in philosophy degrees.
The College of Engineering will give diplomas to 380 students in a ceremony Friday, June 19, at 7:30 p.m. in Recreation Hall. UC Davis Chancellor Theodore L. Hullar will preside. Jose R. Ramos Jr., a mechanical engineering major, will be the student commencement speaker.
The Graduate School of Management will hold its graduation ceremony in Freeborn Hall, awarding master of business administration degrees to 77 students at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 20. Anthony M. Frank, postmaster general of the United States, will be the commencement speaker. Frank is responsible for the overall operation of the nation's largest private employer, serving virtually every individual and business in the United States. Since his appointment in 1988, he has developed and implemented a strategic plan to improve both finances and service.
On Saturday, June 20, at 9 a.m. and Sunday, June 21, at 9 a.m. approximately 2,517
students in the College of Letters and Science will receive their bachelor's degrees in Recreation Hall. Chancellor Hullar will preside at both programs. California state assemblywoman and UC Davis alumna Delaine Eastin will be the commencement speaker during Saturday's program. Desirée Oliver, an English major, will be the student commencement speaker. On Sunday, UC Davis alumnus and Los Angeles television news anchor and reporter Bob Jimenez of KTLA, Channel 5, will be the commencement speaker. David Tom, a rhetoric and communications major, will be the student commencement speaker.
Also on Saturday, 1,195 students in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences are expected to receive their diplomas. Chancellor Hullar will preside at the ceremony at 2:30 p.m. in Recreation Hall. Sharon B. Chang an environmental toxicology major, is the student commencement speaker.
The final ceremony of the year will be on Sunday, June 21, when 713 students are expected to receive diplomas from the Division of Biological Sciences. (These biological science majors are included in the numbers of graduating seniors provided by the College of Letters and Science and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.) Kristin B. Sparks, a physiology major, is the student commencement speaker. Chancellor Hullar will preside.
Four special awards will be given to graduating seniors this year:
• The University Medal for outstanding scholarship will be presented to Aimee L. Edinger of San Diego, a candidate for a bachelor of science degree in physiology. Edinger holds nearly a perfect grade point average of 3.944 for all work completed at UC Davis. Edinger hopes to pursue a doctor of veterinary medicine degree and a doctorate. Her career goal is to become a university professor.
• The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Medal will go to Sharon B. Chang of Berkeley. A candidate for a bachelor of science degree in environmental toxicology, Chang has maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average over four years, receiving 25 "A+" grades and 15 "A's" through the 1992 winter quarter. She plans to pursue a medical degree and Ph.D.
• The Herbert A. Young Award, given by the College of Letters and Science, will be presented to Kerry E. Hillman of Atherton, a candidate for a bachelor of science degree in psychology with an emphasis in biology. She has earned a 3.962 grade point average during four years at Davis. Hillman has received numerous academic honors, including receiving the Panhellenic award each of her four years at UC Davis for maintaining the highest grade point average in the College of Letters and Science for sorority members. She plans on a career in dentistry.
• The College of Engineering Medal will go to Douglas M. Cook of Los Altos, Calif. He received his bachelor of science degree in computer science and engineering at the end of fall quarter, 1991. He maintained a 3.961 grade point average over four years at UC Davis. A recipient of numerous academic scholarships, Cook is interested in both music and computers. Working at Silicon Graphics Inc. in Mountain View, he designs digital audio software and is using this work experience to examine the computer's potential role as an "idea processor" for music. He is planning to pursue advanced degrees in both music and computer science.