KAHULUI - Gov. Neil Abercrombie will be the keynote speaker at the University of Hawaii Maui College spring commencement to be held Sunday in the Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theater.
"We are privileged that Governor Abercrombie agreed to address our 2011 graduates," said Jonathon McKee, vice chancellor for academic affairs. "His commitment to higher education and UH-Maui College is honorable and appreciated by the campus community."
On Friday, a separate graduation ceremony will be held for Maui students of the University of Hawaii Center.
At the UH-MC commencement, there will be 345 candidates for bachelor's and associate's degrees and certificates of achievement. It will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday.
One of the candidates, Caroline Neubauer, is the class valedictorian and will be the student speaker at commencement. She is a hospitality and tourism student and has maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average since enrolling at UH-MC in spring 2008.
During her time at school, Neubauer founded the Hui Hookipa club for students interested in the hospitality and tourism industry. Off campus, Neubauer is a hostess at Duo and the Lobby Lounge at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, an instructor with Halau Hula Malani O Kapehi and a member of the nonprofit Earth Trot Project.
She plans to pursue a business degree.
Due to limited seating, this is an invitation-only event. Guests need to present their invitation for admission.
The speaker for the University of Hawaii Center at UH-MC commencement on Friday will be Chamber of Commerce President Pamela Tumpap. The graduation begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Maui Beach Hotel Elleair Rainbow Ballroom.
The graduation is open to members of the public but tickets are needed for seating. For more information, send email to uctrmaui@hawaii.edu. People requiring special accommodations are asked to call 984-3525.
There are 93 candidates for bachelor's degrees, master's degrees or post-baccalaureate certificates obtained from UH-Manoa, UH-West Oahu and UH-Hilo. Classes in the program are taught at the Kahului campus or through distance learning; 11 master's and 14 bachelor's degree and 10 post-baccalaureate certificate programs are offered.
