More than 400 fall and spring graduates are expected to participate in Fall 2012 Commencement ceremonies scheduled for 2 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Colorado Springs World Arena, 3185 Venetucci Boulevard.
According to the Office of Admissions and Records, 800 students completed degree requirements during the summer or fall semesters and are eligible to participate in the formal ceremonies. CU and UCCS dignitaries attending will include members of the CU Board of Regents, CU President Bruce Benson, UCCS Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak and Tom Saponas, a member of the class of 1972, who will deliver the commencement address.
For the first time in UCCS history, the commencement ceremony will broadcast live online. To watch the 90-minute ceremony on Dec. 14, visit bit.ly/UCCSCommencementLiveStream
As in past years, commencement ceremonies will also be rebroadcast on Comcast Channel 20. For a schedule of the broadcasts, and other details, visit www.uccs.edu/commencement.
Faculty and directors participating in commencement should arrive at the World Arena by 1:15 p.m. Chancellor Shockley-Zalabak encouraged faculty to arrive early and to congratulate the graduates as they line up.
Saponas began taking classes at UCCS in 1967 when the campus was only two years old and graduated five years later with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and computer science, and a master’s degree in electrical engineering. For more than 25 years, he held positions with Hewlett Packard and Agilent corporations including vice president and chief technology officer, and general manager. He currently is a director for nGimat, an Atlanta-based nanopowder and coatings company, and Fremont, Calif.-based Procera Networks.
Saponas continues to be active in UCCS activities including serving as a volunteer mentor in the Freshman Seminar Program, as a board member for the UCCS Science and Engineering Community Advisory Board, the UCCS College of Engineering Advisory Board, and the CU Foundation Board of Directors.
In 1986, he received the University of Colorado Medal in recognition of his contributions to the university and in 2008, he received the Distinguished Service Award. A student lounge in the College of Engineering and Applied Science building bears his name. In 2000, Tom and Charlotte Saponas established an endowed student scholarship fund.
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