NDSU's spring commencement ceremonies are set for Saturday, May 14, at 10 a.m. at the Fargodome. U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates will be the guest speaker for the event, which is open to the public.

According to Rhonda Kitch, associate registrar, 1,137 graduate, professional and undergraduate students have indicated they intend to march in the ceremony. She said a total of 1,716 students are eligible to participate.

Dr. Robert Gates was sworn in on Dec. 18, 2006, as the 22nd Secretary of Defense. He is the only Secretary of Defense in U.S. history to be asked to remain in thatoffice by a newly elected president. President Barack Obama is the eighth president Dr. Gates has served.

"Secretary Gates exemplifies a career of selfless service to our country at a level with few parallels, and through the course of his tenure leading Texas A&M University, became a broadly respected higher education leader," said NDSU President Dean L. Bresciani. "We are honored that NDSU’s graduates will have the opportunity to hear from such a notable patriot, scholar and public servant."

According to Kitch, the doors to the Fargodome will open to the public at 8:30 a.m.

Kitch said the ceremony also will be live Web-streamed and then archived for 30 days at www.ndsu.edu/commencement. “By Web-streaming commencement, we are trying to make our ceremony available for family and friends around the world,” Kitch said, noting the website also offers a variety of ceremony information, such as a seating chart and details about special assistance, parking, photography and hotel accommodations.