Cottey College is preparing for commencement and other related activities. As these important events draw closer, drivers on Austin are asked to take note of the increased pedestrian and visitor traffic and to drive safely. The following commencement events are open to the public.

The weekend begins Friday, May 16, with the Merry Ann DeVaney Sauls Writing Awards Contest at 10 a.m. in the Missouri Recital Hall. Named after Sauls, a 1959 graduate of Cottey College, the contest was developed to enhance the prestige of academic writing in the four disciplines at Cottey. Awards are given in the four areas of fine arts, humanities, math and science, social sciences and an additional award in composition.

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The activities continue that evening with Baccalaureate at 7:30 p.m., in the Cottey College Chapel. The Spiritual Life Committee sponsors this special service.

On Saturday, May 17, graduates and returning students will be honored for their academic achievements at the Honors and Awards Convocation, beginning at 10 a.m. in the auditorium of the Haidee and Allen Wild Center for the Arts.

Capping, one of the longest running traditions, also will take place Saturday at 7 p.m., on the Main Hall steps. Seniors have their mortarboards pinned atop their heads by women who have significantly impacted their lives. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the Auditorium in the Center for the Arts.

Commencement will be Sunday, May 18, at 10 a.m., in the Hinkhouse gymnasium. This year's College Marshal, leading the student procession, will be Mr. Michel Ashmore, associate professor of music.

Honored speaker at Commencement this year will be Mrs. Marilyn Mancini, former chair of the Cottey College Board of Trustees.

The Chapel is located between Reeves Hall and Robertson Hall on the south side of Austin Boulevard. Main Hall is on the northwest corner of Austin and Chestnut streets.

The gymnasium, inside Hinkhouse Center, is located one block south of Austin Boulevard. Parking is available at the Center for the Arts, which is on the corner of Austin and Tower Streets. Additional parking may be found in the lot south of Robertson Hall, accessible off of Tower Street.