Lincoln Journal Star

Commencement celebrations at Doane College are set for the weekend of May 16-18.

About 350 undergraduate and 190 graduate degrees will be awarded during the college’s 131st annual commencement exercises May 18 in Cassel Open Air Theatre.

Commencement begins at 10 a.m. for Lincoln and Grand Island campus undergraduate students and Doane graduate students. Harold Clarke, a 1974 Doane graduate and commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Corrections and past director of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, will serve as keynote speaker.

Commencement exercises for Crete campus students follow at 2:30 p.m. R. Kent Newmyer, a 1952 Doane graduate and professor of law and history at the University of Connecticut, will give the keynote address. Newmyer also will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Doane.

Lawn receptions follow each ceremony. In the event of rain, commencement exercises will move to Fuhrer Field House.

Several other commencement activities are planned for May 17, including:

* 2 p.m.: Baccalaureate service, Heckman Auditorium.

* 5:30 p.m.: Alumni banquet, main dining room in Perry Campus Center. Reservations required.

* 8 p.m.: President’s concert, Heckman Auditorium.

For more information or to make a reservation for the banquet, contact the Advancement Office at (402) 826-8258 or rsvp@doane.edu.