News Brief

Top military chair among speakers at commencement

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a Washington, D.C., TV and radio news reporter will speak during UK’s 141st Commencement.

The commencement ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. May 4, in Rupp Arena. During the ceremony, Admiral Mike Mullen will address graduates. Also speaking will be Beverly Kirk, a UK alumna and a TV and radio news reporter based in Washington, D.C.

The graduating senior chosen to speak for the class of 2008 is Christine Tillman, a nursing senior from Paducah, Ky.

Three honorary doctorates will be awarded during the ceremony: Gifford Blyton, a former university faculty member, longtime director of UK’s debate program and the faculty senate parliamentarian for 35 years; former governor and UK alumnus Paul Patton; and former UK basketball head coach Orlando “Tubby” Smith.

The commencement ceremony is free and open to the public.

Mullen will also give the Patterson School of Diplomacy Vince Davis Memorial Lecture at Memorial Hall on May 2 at 7 p.m. The lecture is free and open to the public.