It may be September, but plans are already under way for West Virginia Universitys 140th Commencement weekend May 15-17.

WVU has announced the ceremony schedule to assist students and families planning for this special event.

The University will host a series of individual, personalized ceremonies at one of three venues on the Evansdale Campus: the WVU Coliseum, Creative Arts Center and Student Recreation Center.

Weekend activities kick off with the Commencement Honors Convocation at 7 p.m. Friday, May 15, at the Creative Arts Center. Invitations to participate will be extended in the spring to WVU Foundation Outstanding Seniors, Order of Augusta honorees, graduating Honors College students, ROTC cadets and other outstanding graduates. The convocation is open to the public.

ROTC commissioning ceremoniesacknowledging the achievements of students who are planning military careers following graduationare also planned for Friday. The Army ROTC event is slated for 10 a.m. in Mountainlair ballrooms, while the Air Force ROTC event will be at 2 p.m. at the Erickson Alumni Center.

Commencement is a special time for our graduates and their families as they look forward to the next chapter in their lives,said Stephanie Conrad, interim director of University Events.The University has several personalized events planned, which celebrate studentsacademic accomplishments and feature speakers selected by the colleges and schools.

Conrad encouraged students and their families to visit a special Commencement Web site http://commencement.wvu.edu/ for event updates, as well as information about photography, lodging and traditions. More will be added as details are finalized, she said.

A complete Commencement ceremony schedule is below. (Note: Graduates should plan to arrive at least one hour prior to the start time for check-in and lineup.) Receptions will immediately follow each event.

Friday, May 15

• Army ROTC commissioning ceremony10 a.m., Mountainlair ballrooms

• Air Force ROTC commissioning ceremony2 p.m., Erickson Alumni Center

• Commencement Honors Convocation7 p.m., Creative Arts Center

Saturday, May 16

• School of Dentistry8:30 a.m., Student Recreation Center; reception at Student Recreation Center

• School of Medicine (MD, Ph.D.)9 a.m., Creative Arts Center; reception details TBA

• College of Human Resources and Education9:30 a.m., Coliseum; reception at Shell Building

• School of Pharmacynoon, Student Recreation Center; reception at Student Recreation Center

• College of Law1 p.m., Creative Arts Center; reception details TBA

• College of Engineering and Mineral Resources2 p.m., Coliseum; reception at Shell Building

• School of Nursing5 p.m., Student Recreation Center; reception at Student Recreation Center

• College of Business and Economics6 p.m., Coliseum; reception at WVU Shell Building

• College of Creative Arts7:30 p.m., Creative Arts Center; reception at Creative Arts Center lobby

Sunday, May 17

• Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences9:30 a.m., Coliseum; reception at WVU Shell Building

• Eberly College of Arts and Sciences hooding ceremony for masters and doctoral candidates10 a.m., location TBA (diplomas will be awarded at Sunday afternoon ceremony)

• Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism10 a.m., Creative Arts Center; reception at Creative Arts Center lobby

• School of Medicine (professional programs: exercise physiology, medical technology, community medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy)10:30 a.m., Student Recreation Center; reception at Student Recreation Center

• Eberly College of Arts and Sciences2 p.m., Coliseum; reception at WVU Shell Building

• College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences2:30 p.m., Creative Arts Center; reception at Creative Arts Center lobby