EUGENE– David Schuman, a University of Oregon law school alumnus and newly appointed judge on the Oregon Court of Appeals, will deliver the keynote address to the Class of 2001 on Saturday, June 16, at the university’s 124th spring commencement.

In his address on "Questioning Authority," Schuman will urge members of the Class of 2001 to recognize the difference between critical thinking and cynicism–to question authority, but to not overdo it.

"Colleges teach students not to take things at face value. That’s a fine thing to learn, but taken too far, this can turn into cynicism," the former UO law professor says. "There is value in the kind of authority that helps you embrace the basic values of your community. A true authority is someone who has been right so frequently in the past that their counsel cannot be safely ignored."

Altogether, approximately 3,900 students who have completed their work toward a degree during the 2000-2001 academic year are eligible to participate in the spring ceremonies, which begin, rain or shine, at 12:30 p.m. at McArthur Court, 1601 University St. No tickets are required, and doors will open at 10:30 a.m.

President Dave Frohnmayer will preside over the university-wide exercises during which he will present the university’s 2001 Distinguished Service Awards. Recipients of several distinguished teaching awards for faculty members and graduate teaching fellows also will be recognized.

Seating in Mac Court will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Graduating students will sit on the main floor; their guests will sit in the balconies. The university will accommodate any overflow crowds with closed-circuit television coverage of the ceremony available nearby in the Ballroom of the Erb Memorial Union, 1222 E. 13th Ave.

For commencement guests in wheelchairs or with other special mobility needs, limited seating will be available on the main floor in the southeast corner of Mac Court. A sign-language interpreter will be present, and guests with impaired hearing may wish to sit in the first few rows of the southwest stands closest to the speakers’ platform.

Campus parking will be limited and those attending are advised to arrive early. Free parking will be available in lots located at East 15th Avenue and Columbia Street, and East 14th Avenue and Kincaid Street, as well as at specially marked parking meters at the edge of campus.

For those unable to attend the ceremony in person, Oregon Public Broadcasting for the first time this year will televise UO commencement live from 12:30—2:30 p.m. June 16. Check local listings for cable or broadcast channels.

Videotapes of commencement also will be available about one week after the ceremony for $25 each if picked up in person or $26.50 if shipped. To order in advance, call (541) 346-3048. Orders also will be taken on June 16 at Mac Court.

In addition to the university-wide exercises on June 16, each UO school or college–including individual departments in the College of Arts and Sciences–will hold its own ceremony at various campus locations on Thursday, Friday or Saturday, June 14—16. During these ceremonies, individual recognition will be given to master’s and bachelor’s degree candidates. Rain plans for these events that are in outdoor venues will be announced on local radio and television stations on June 15.

While the Class of 2001 prepares to leave the university, alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago are expected to return to campus June 14—16 for reunion activities, including an Order of Emerald induction. Members of the Class of 1951 and earlier also are invited to participate in the main commencement procession on June 16.

Among spring term’s 3,030 degree candidates are 2,255 completing requirements for bachelor’s degrees, 110 for certificates, 456 for master’s degrees and 67 for doctoral degrees. Another 142 students received law degrees during the UO School of Law’s Commencement on May 20.

Others eligible to participate in the spring ceremonies are 532 fall term and 428 winter term graduates. No ceremonies are held during those terms.

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