BEMIDJI, Minn. — More than 850 students will receive undergraduate and graduate degrees from Bemidji State University during the University’s 90th commencement exercise, to be held Friday, May 8.

Bemidji State President Dr. Jon E. Quistgaard will preside over the commencement ceremony, which will begin at 2 p.m. in the John Glas Fieldhouse, located at the corner of 19th Street and Bemidji Avenue.

Commencement ceremonies at Bemidji State University are free and open to the public; no tickets are required. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

As part of the commencement ceremony, Don Shelby, long-time television anchor with WCCO-TV in Minneapolis, will be recognized as the recipient of the 2009 Distinguished Minnesotan Award.

First presented by Bemidji State in 1981, the Distinguished Minnesotan Award acknowledges the contributions of current or former residents of the state who have performed exemplary service to the people of Minnesota or the United States.

In addition, nine faculty members with a combined total of 240 years of service to the University of will be rewarded with emeriti status during the ceremony.

Pre-Commencement Brunch
Commencement activities on campus begin with a pre-commencement bruch, where each college and department at the University will host graduates and their families from 10 a.m. to noon. The Beaux Arts Ballroom in the upper union will host physical education, health & sport; professional education; and accounting and business majors. Other graduates will meet in the Lower Union. College of Arts and Sciences graduates will be in the Lakeside North and Lower Lakeside-East areas, with nursing and psychology grads in the Scandanavian Room and criminal justice and social work graduates will meet in the Viking Room. Mass Communication will meet in the upper area of the Lakeside Lounge, while physics and technological studies will be in the Crying Wolf Room.

Handicapped parking will be available along Birchmont Drive and wheelchair access will be provide through the upper level of the Hobson Memorial Union. Guides will be available to provide assistance.

Commencement Walk
Commencement ceremonies will begin at 1:25 p.m. when Bemidji State faculty and staff will lead the traditional Commencement Walk from Bangsberg Hall across campus to the Gillett Recreation & Fitness Center. When the end of the faculty and staff line reaches Deputy Hall, the students will join for the march across campus. In the event of inclement weather, students will gather in the Gillett Center at 1:15 p.m.

For more information on commencement ceremonies at Bemidji State University, please contact the Records Office, located in Deputy Hall on the Bemidji State campus, at (218) 755-2020.

Complete information about commencement activities is available at http://www.bemidjistate.edu/commencement.