Some 1,400 West Virginia University students are expected to complete their degrees midyear with many participating in the December Graduates Convocation at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at the WVU Coliseum.

Adding to this years excitement is veteran educator and WVU interim President C. Peter Magrath, who is set to deliver the keynote address.

While at WVU , Magrath is on leave from the College Board, where he has been senior presidential adviser since January 2006. He also is engaged in consulting work both in the United States and internationally.

The higher-education leader has served as president at three public universitiesthe University of Missouri System from 1985-91; University of Minnesota from 1974-84; and State University of New York at Binghamton from 1972-74.

From 1968-72, he held faculty and administrative posts at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He began his academic career at Brown University in 1961, moving from instructor to professor of political science and also served as associate dean of the graduate school.

Magrath also spent 13 years representing public colleges and universities on the national and world scene as president of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, and he has written many books and articles on higher education, American constitutional law and history, and international affairs.

A political scientist with a bachelors degree from the University of New Hampshire and a doctoral degree from Cornell University, he has been recognized with honorary doctoral degrees from Brown University; Lucian Blaga University, Sibiu, Romania; the University of Nebraska; University of New Hampshire; State University of New York at Binghamton; Michigan State University; University of Northern Kentucky; Utah State University; and Pennsylvania State University.

Information for graduates, guests

While not a formal commencement, the convocation honors those students who complete their degree requirements midyear.

The ceremony provides them with an opportunity to walk across the stage as their names are read, shake hands with WVU s president and other administrators, and receive a letter of congratulations.

Diplomas will be mailed in January after grades are confirmed with Admissions and Records.

Degree candidates should wear caps, gowns and hoods, if appropriate. These items are only available at the WVU Bookstore, 304-293-7467.

Special seating is available for guests with physical limitations, as well as guests requiring the services of the interpreters on the platform. Call the Office of Disability Services at 304-293-6700 to reserve special seating by noon Dec. 12.

All University parking lots and garages will be free and open to visitors after 5 p.m. Dec. 12 (no permits will be necessary). Parking is available at the WVU Coliseum, and the Personal Rapid Transit, or PRT , will run throughout the weekend.

Some schools, colleges and departments host their own events surrounding December Convocation. These are listed at http://decemberconvocation.wvu.edu/ , which will be updated with additional information as it becomes available.

At the same site, students and their families can find lodging information, directions and important links that will help them as theyre making their plans.

Note: Bob Knight Photography has been contracted to provide quality graduation photos for each student. Proofs will be e-mailed to graduates following the ceremony (within 24 hours), and prints will be mailed in the days following the event. Check http://decemberconvocation.wvu.edu/ for ordering information.