June 5, 1998 Contact John R. Crosiar (541) 346-3134 EUGENE--Former judge and legal scholar Beverly Ledbetter, vice president and general counsel at Rhode Island's Brown University, will address the Class of 1998 on Saturday, June 13, during the University of Oregon's 121st spring commencement. Nearly 3,800 spring-term degree candidates and fall- and winter-term UO graduates are eligible to participate in the spring ceremonies which begin at 12:30 p.m. at Hayward Field, 1580 E. 15th Ave. In the event of rain, the commencement ceremony will be held indoors at McArthur Court, 1601 University St. Campus parking will be limited and those attending are advised to arrive early and park in lots located at East 15th Avenue and Columbia Street, or East 14th Avenue and Kincaid Street. Ledbetter, a popular speaker and expert on legal issues facing higher education, says her commencement keynote address "will offer some sage advice to graduates about how to prepare for life's rewards and its challenges in this next and very important chapter in their lives." UO President Dave Frohnmayer will present the university's 1998 Distinguished Service Awards and Presidential Medals. Recipients of several distinguished teaching awards for faculty members and graduate teaching fellows also will be recognized. At a pre-commencement brunch, the UO Alumni Association will bestow its 1998 Outstanding Young Alumnus Award on 1981 marketing graduate Alberto Salazar, a world-class distance runner and marathon runner who is a Nike, Inc., sports marketing executive. Also to be honored with this year's Distinguished Alumnus Award will be the founder and long-time president of the Portland Trail Blazers Harry Glickman, a 1948 journalism graduate. "Beverly Ledbetter is an impressive legal scholar who understands and can speak with eloquence about the pivotal issues facing our graduates in this rapidly changing world," Frohnmayer says. "We are honored to have someone with her insight, foresight and energy as this year's commencement speaker." A native of East Texas, Ledbetter, 53, received her bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Howard University and her doctor of jurisprudence degree from the University of Colorado. In addition to the university-wide exercises on June 13, 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 Friday and Saturday, June 12-13. During these ceremonies, individual recognition will be given to master's and bachelor's degree candidates. While the Class of 1998 prepares to leave the university, alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago are expected to return to campus June 11-13 for reunion activities, including an Order of Emerald induction. Members of the Class of 1948 and earlier also are invited to participate in the main commencement procession on June 13. Among spring term's 2,704 degree candidates are 2,011 completing requirements for bachelor's degrees, 12 for certificates, 438 for master's degrees and 78 for doctoral degrees. On May 17, 165 students received law degrees during the UO School of Law's Commencement. Others eligible to participate in the spring ceremonies are 572 fall term and 518 winter term graduates. No ceremonies are held during those terms. -30- #H-2234/Local/eb