Parking Services at Mississippi State University is preparing for spring commencement on the Starkville campus, which takes place Friday [May 8] at 7 p.m. and Saturday [May 9] at 10 a.m.

Please review the map posted with this news brief for details about parking and traffic flow. The map highlights available parking areas, plus handicap parking and handicap unloading/loading on Humphrey Coliseum's east side. Guests using handicap parking must have a valid handicap placard and/or license plate.

If you have any questions about parking, please contact Cambrie Johnston at 662-325-3940.

The Friday graduation program includes graduates of the colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences and its School of Human Sciences; Bagley College of Engineering and its Swalm School of Chemical Engineering; Education; Forest Resources; and Veterinary Medicine.

The Saturday program will feature graduates from the colleges of Architecture, Art and Design; Arts and Sciences; and Business and its Adkerson School of Accountancy.

Mississippi State alumnus and university benefactor Thomas B. "Tommy" Nusz will deliver the commencement address to nearly 2,600 degree candidates. A 1982 petroleum engineering graduate, he is co-founder and head of Texas-based Oasis Petroleum.

Also at the respective ceremonies, Charles W. "Tex" Ritter of Kosciusko -- MSU's 2002 National Alumnus of the Year -- and leading Meridian businessman Tommy E. Dulaney will receive honorary doctorates in public service for lifetime achievements and longtime major support of university programs.

More information about commencement is available through the Office of the Registrar at http://www.registrar.msstate.edu/Students/graduation.html.