SILS to recognize largest ever undergraduate class May 9

This spring's commencement at SILS will be invigorated with Carolina blue, the color of undergraduate robes, when the school recognizes about 20 graduates from its new undergraduate program in information science May 9.

The information science major, which has only been offered since fall 2002, sprang from the success of the school's undergraduate minor in information systems. The school has granted the bachelor's degree in information science (BSIS) to five students since spring 2003, making the 20 graduates anticipated this year its largest undergraduate class yet.

In addition to the undergraduates, there will be 64 master's students receiving their diplomas. Thirty-nine will be receiving their master's degrees in library science and 25 in information science.

The School's commencement ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. in Carroll Hall Room 111. Immediately following the ceremony, a reception will be held on the steps of Manning Hall. All members of the SILS community, graduates and their family and friends are invited to attend.

The Greenhills Classical Guitar Duo will provide music for the ceremony and the 8-Eyes pop group will perform at the reception. SILS doctoral student Amy Pattee is a member of both ensembles.

For detailed commencement information, visit http://www.ils.unc.edu/ils/graduation/spring04/index.html .

The ceremony will also feature the presentation of the school's annual Outstanding Teacher Award, the Dean's Achievement Awards for best master's paper, the Distinguished Alumni Award and Outstanding Service to the School awards for one graduate and one undergraduate student.

The School of Information and Library Science is home to approximately 270 master's degree students, six certificate of advanced study students, 49 doctoral students, 46 undergraduate majors, 50 minors and 20 full-time faculty members. In addition to the undergraduate major in information science, the school offers master's degrees in information science and library science, a certificate of advanced study, a doctor of philosophy in information and library science and an undergraduate minor in information systems.