CORVALLIS, Ore. - A crowd of more than 30,000 people is expected this Sunday, June 17, when Oregon State University holds its 2012 commencement ceremony, which will feature an address by First Lady Michelle Obama.

The ceremony begins at 3:30 p.m. in Reser Stadium and OSU officials are urging people to arrive early because of security checks, traffic and parking. Gates open at noon.

"There will be airport-style security in place and it will take time to get that many people through the scanners," said Steve Clark, OSU's vice president for University Relations and Marketing. Spectators are encouraged to refrain from bringing excess bags into the stadium that will have to be checked.

Graduating students will gather in the Merritt Truax Indoor Practice Facility before commencement and then proceed down 30th Street before entering the stadium. Both 30th Street and 26th Street will be closed to traffic during part of commencement.

OSU officials also warn that there will be a military flyover during the ceremony to acknowledge newly commissioned ROTC students during commencement, and to honor veterans of U.S. military service who are attending the ceremony.

All people attending commencement must have tickets, most of which already have been distributed. A limited number of general admission tickets will be available on Sunday, June 17, beginning at 11 a.m. at the will call ticket booth at Reser Stadium, located in the parking lot at the corner of 26th Street and Western Boulevard.

The ceremony will be broadcast live on Oregon Public Broadcasting, or can be streamed online at: http://oregonstate.edu/events/commencement/streaming-video

Source: 

Steve Clark, 541-737-4875

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