The University of Akron to award degrees to 1,399 candidates

University of Akron President Matthew J. Wilson will deliver the address at three commencement ceremonies at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 16-17. UA’s fall class of 2016 includes a total of 1,399 degree candidates from 24 states and 28 countries. This group includes 52 candidates for doctorate degrees, 27 for Juris Doctor degrees, 309 for master’s degrees, 848 for bachelor’s degrees and 163 candidates for associate degrees.

The student speaker for Friday’s 7 p.m. ceremony is Richard Angeletti III. Hailing from Green, Ohio, Angeletti is a Williams Honors Scholar graduating with a B.S. in Accounting, summa cum laude, and a B.A. in Economics. Joining him at the Friday evening ceremony will be candidates from the following:

College of Business Administration

• The LeBron James Family Foundation College of Education
• College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering

The student speaker at Saturday’s 10 a.m. commencement is Christopher Ross, from Parma, Ohio. He is graduating with a B.S. in Biology, magna cum laude. Other soon-to-be grads will join Christopher at the Saturday morning ceremony:

• Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences 
• U.S. Army ROTC Cadet Commissioning

The student speaker at Saturday’s 2 p.m. commencement is Bradley Ruhaak, from Akron. He is a Williams Honors Scholar graduating with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, magna cum laude. Joining Bradley at Thomas Hall on Saturday afternoon will be candidates from:

• College of Applied Science and Technology
• College of Engineering
• College of Health Professions
• Wayne College

Media contact: Dan Minnich, 330-972-6476 or dminnich@uakron.edu.