Media Contact: Pat JaCoby (858) 534-7404

ANGELOU CANCELS UCSD COMMENCEMENT APPEARANCE

Due to impending knee surgery, poet and writer Maya Angelou has cancelled her scheduled appearance as keynote speaker at the University of California, San Diego all-campus graduation ceremonies June 17.

Angelou notified UCSD officials that her physicians had set June 13 for double knee surgery, and said she regretted having to cancel the commencement address. Chancellor Robert C. Dynes said he considered the possibility of securing another speaker, but concluded that not enough time remained.

Meanwhile, a national genome expert, a state trade official, Chancellor Dynes, student and faculty representatives will be speakers at seven separate college commencements June 17-18.

Preceding the weekend of commencements, the UCSD School of Medicine will honor its 128 new M.D.'s and 2,000 guests at 11 a.m. ceremonies June 4 on the East Lawn of the Medical School. Dr. Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., director of the National Human Genome Research Institute in Bethesda, Md., will speak on the topic, "The End of the Beginning."

Other ceremonies include:

The Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies will hold its commencement for 80 students at 1 p.m. June 17 in the IR/PS Plaza. California Trade and Commerce Secretary Lon S. Hatamiya, the state's top international expert, will speak.

Earl Warren College graduation is scheduled at 1:30 p.m. June 17 on the RIMAC Field with some 700 graduates receiving their degrees. Senior Eric Ratner will represent his fellow graduates as student speaker, while a faculty representative also will speak.

Actor James Avery, a 1976 UCSD graduate, and graduating senior Christopher Reefe will be the guest speakers at ceremonies for 650 graduates of Thurgood Marshall College at 2 p.m. June 17 on the Thurgood Marshall Playing Field.

Also at 2 p.m. June 17, Eleanor Roosevelt College will hold its graduation in RIMAC Arena with students, to be selected, as guest speakers.

Students Jachyn Katura Davis, Ben Nathan Gleiberman, Josh Seth Gopen and Katherine Anne Lane have been selected as graduation speakers for John Muir College ceremonies at 9 a.m. June 18 on the Marshall College Playing Field.

Chancellor Dynes is the guest speaker scheduled at a noon ceremony in the Price Center Ballroom for some 150 Graduate Studies students receiving advanced degrees.

And in the final commencement, Revelle College will hold its ceremony at 2 p.m. June 18 on the Thurgood Marshall Playing Field. William Arctander (cq) O'Brien, associate professor of literature, will be the guest speaker.

Following the various graduations on June 17, the UCSD Alumni Association will honor outstanding alumni and students at an "Alumni Awards for Excellence Gala 2000" from 6 to 9:30 p.m. in the Price Center Ballroom. A cocktail reception will be followed by gourmet dining and a multimedia presentation of awards.

Meanwhile, the Class of 2000 plans to raise $20,000 to help build nature trails as its senior gift. As part of the UCSD Grand Park and Meander, the trails will create a natural park on campus by connecting existing land reserves. Leaders in the student drive say the nature trails will provide a place for students to enjoy the natural environment the campus offers and escape from the daily stresses of student life. Information about the Senior Gift campaign can be obtained at (858) 822-2540.