MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State University will award honorary degrees to a former president and a renowned social justice scholar May 5 during commencement ceremonies.

An estimated 12,000 to 15,000 people are expected to attend ceremonies at the Arts Terrace in the Old Quad when the university graduates 2,100 students.

The main ceremony begins at 10 a.m. and includes the hooding of honorary doctorates and doctoral and specialist candidates and the conferral of bachelor's, master's and associate degrees.

Honorary doctorate of laws will be awarded to John E. Worthen, Ball State’s president from 1984 to 2000, and Faye J. Crosby, a psychology professor at the University of California at Santa Cruz.

John E. Worthen's 16 years marked a lengthy tenure among university presidents and brought dramatic change to Ball State, including the university's first major capital campaign, construction of several new academic buildings and a new arena (now known as John E. Worthen Arena), the addition of a new college and creation of numerous academic programs. He also worked diligently in the community and around the state, serving on several local and state boards. He played a significant role at the national level as chairman of the board of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.

"John Worthen served this university long and well, and his leadership will be reflected for years to come," said Ball State President Blaine A. Brownell. "His focus on high quality teaching and the use of instructional technology, in particular, put Ball State on the cutting edge nationally, and helped position us today for continued development and further innovation.

Faye J. Crosby is a research psychologist and organizational consultant. She is a leading authority on affirmative action in education and business and has done research on the subject of balancing work and family. She is the author of Juggling: The Unexpected Advantages of Balancing Career and Home for Women and their Families.

"Dr. Crosby’s highly influential work on subtle prejudice against blacks and her extensive contributions in the area of affirmative action in education and employment have set the agenda for social justice scholarship," he said. "Her work on how women balance and excel under multiple role demands also has had considerable impact on social psychology."

Worthen and Crosby each will make short speeches.

For the second consecutive year, the main ceremony will be broadcast live on the World Wide Web at www.bsu.edu/commencement and on WBSU-TV Channel 5, Muncie’s local cable access channel. The pre-commencement concert will start at 9 a.m. and also be broadcast and webcast live. University Relations and the Teleplex are providing the service.

After the main ceremony, all graduates will recess and follow their college deans and faculty marshals to individual ceremonies, except the College of Business and College of Communication, Information and Media. Ceremonies for the colleges start at 2 p.m.

The schedule of ceremonies follows:

• College of Applied Sciences and Technology in the Field Sports Building at 11:30 a.m.
• College of Architecture and Planning in Ball Gymnasium at 11:30 a.m.
• College of Business in Emens Auditorium at 2 p.m.
• College of Communication, Information and Media in Ball Gymnasium at 2 p.m.
• College of Fine Arts in Emens Auditorium at 11:30 a.m.
• College of Sciences and Humanities in Worthen Arena at 11:30 a.m.
• Teachers College in Irving Gymnasium at 11:30 a.m.

In the event of poor weather conditions, the main ceremony will be canceled. Individual college programs will then begin at 10 a.m., except for the College of Business and College of Communications, Information and Media, which will be at their regularly scheduled times.

Radio stations carrying weather-related information include WBST 92.1 FM and WLBC 104.1 FM. Please listen after 8 a.m. Cancellations due to weather will also be posted at www.bsu.edu/news. For additional information, contact Campus Information at (765) 289-1241 or University Police at (765) 285-1111.

(NOTE TO EDITORS: Print-quality versions of photos for the honorees are available at www.bsu.edu/photoservices.)