Commencements Dot The Indiana Map
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowSeveral college campuses throughout the state will feature prominent figures at their commencement ceremonies this weekend. Thousands of graduates will receive degrees at schools including the University of Notre Dame, Purdue University, Wabash College, Martin University, Indiana University East and St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame.
Notre Dame will host its 171st Commencement Sunday at Notre Dame Stadium. It will include an address by retired U.S. Army General and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey. Vice President Joe Biden and former Speaker of the House John Boehner will receive the 2016 Laetare Medal during the day.
Purdue University will have six ceremonies spread throughout Friday, Saturday and Sunday. All ceremonies at the West Lafayette campus will take place in the Elliott Hall of Music.
The 169th Commencement at St. Mary’s is set for noon Saturday at Le Mans Hall on the St. Joseph County campus.
Wabash College’s 178th Commencement Sunday will feature two graduates as speakers, which is a school tradition. Honorary degrees will be awarded to 1984 graduate and Emmy Award-winning costume designer Thomas Broecker and Congresswoman Susan Brooks (R-5).
During Indiana University East’s ceremony Friday, it will award honorary degrees to former State Senator Allen Paul and to former State Representative Dick Bodiker.
The 47th Commencement at Martin University will include Honorary doctorates for 1953 Indiana Mr. Basketball and former Harlem Globetrotter Hallie Bryant and Nathaniel Jones, the first African-American superintendent of schools at the Metropolitan School District of Pike Township in Indianapolis.