Media Advisory: UA’s Winter Commencement Exercises

UA’S WINTER COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2006

9 A.M.

COLEMAN COLISEUM

SPEAKER — James I. Harrison Jr., former chair of Harco Drug Inc. Harrison, a lifelong resident of Tuscaloosa, will also receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters. In 1967, Harrison founded Harco Drug. The company grew into chain of more than 150 stores before merging with Rite Aid in 1997. Chain Drug Review named Harco the nation’s top community drugstore chain in 1995. A leading philanthropist, Harrison has served on the boards of numerous community, regional, and state organizations.

UA TO BROADCAST COMMENCEMENT LIVE VIA INTERNET –The University of Alabama will broadcast its commencement ceremonies live over the Internet on Dec. 16. Those who wish to view the ceremonies on the Internet can go to the main UA web page at http://www.ua.edu/ to find the Webcast link. The Webcast will require the free Windows Media Player and a broadband connection. The webcast will be archived on UA’s website and will be available for viewing until Jan. 16, 2007.

NOTEWORTHY/INSPIRING GRADUATES

MOLLY MERCER LYNCH: 90-YEAR OLD WOMAN RECEIVES DEGREE 67 YEARS AFTER LEAVING UA – In her last semester at UA in 1938, Molly Mercer Lynch became ill with malaria and was forced to withdraw from school. The Depression and World War II kept her from returning to UA, but she had always talked of completing her degree. This year, Lynch’s daughters contacted UA to determine what coursework was necessary for their mom to earn her degree. UA officials went over her records and determined that she met all requirements for a degree in 1939. So Saturday, Lynch will be awarded her degree. Lynch currently lives in Tucson, Ariz., and will be unable to attend Saturday’s ceremonies. However, she will be watching the live web cast of the ceremony on her computer. She is available for phone interviews.

DONALD HANSEN: FIRST TIME ON CAMPUS IS FOR GRADUATION – After nearly three years of coursework, Hansen will receive his master’s degree in interactive technology. However, Saturday’s graduation will be the first time Hansen, a resident of Alexandria, Va., has been on the UA campus. How can that be? Hansen did all of his coursework online through the UA College of Human Environmental Sciences’ Distance Education Program.

ASHLEI WEISS: NURSING GRAD COMPLETES DEGREE DESPITE HODGKINS DISEASE – Weiss battled Hodgkin’s during most of her time at UA. She says her graduation is all the sweeter because of all she has gone through to earn her degree. Weiss says she plans to use her life story to make a difference in her profession of nursing.

BRIAN WHEAT: FORMER BULL RIDER RECEIVES ENGINEERING DEGREE — Brian Wheat, a former professional bull rider, will receive a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Wheat was a member of the North American Bullriding Association and was ranked among the top four high-school bull riders in the state of Alabama. He was offered scholarships to colleges with rodeo teams throughout the Southeast, but he decided not to accept them because none of the colleges had engineering programs. While at UA, Wheat decided to participate in UA’s Cooperative Education Program and worked for B.L. Harbert International Construction Co. He also worked part time on the Bryant-Denny Stadium expansion project while finishing his engineering degree. Wheat has accepted an engineering position with Almon & Associates.