University at Albany Commencement Advisory Change in Speaker
Contact: Greta Petry, (518) 442-3095
University at Albany Dean of Undergraduate Studies John Pipkin, an outstanding teacher known for his commitment to students, will be the featured speaker at the University at Albany's 155th undergraduate commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 23, at 10 a.m. at the Pepsi Arena in downtown Albany.
Pipkin takes the place of poet and author Maya Angelou, who is unable to attend the ceremony. She has recently recovered from several bouts of pneumonia and is reducing her travel.
Pipkin has been the University's dean of undergraduate studies since 1995. Prior to that, he was a professor in the Department of Geography and Planning, serving as a faculty member for 21 years. His outstanding teaching was recognized in 1994 when he was awarded both the University at Albany President's Award and the State University of New York Chancellor's Award for excellence in teaching. He also previously received the University at Albany President's Award for excellence in academic service.
Pipkin has served as the president of Middle States Division, Association of American Geographers, and as principal investigator on projects funded by the National Science Foundation, State University of New York and other sources; he has carried out contract work on urban design of the City of Albany and for the New York State Department of Transportation. His research interests are in urban and economic geography, urban design, and statistical methods in geography and planning.
The University's graduate commencement will begin at 2:30 p.m. May 23 at the Recreation and Convocation Center on the uptown campus at 1400 Washington Ave., Albany, N.Y. Historian David McCullough will receive an honorary Doctor of Letters degree; scientist Edward O. Wilson will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree. McCullough and Wilson have both won the Pulitzer Prize.
This year, the University will award 2,344 undergraduate degrees, 1,290 master's degrees and certificates of advanced study, and 202 doctoral degrees.
********** May 14, 1999
For University at Albany information, visit our World Wide Web site at http://www.albany.edu.
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