Marquette to celebrate mid-year graduation Sunday Released: Dec. 11, 2006 Event Information: Date: Sunday, Dec. 17 Time: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Place: U.S. Cellular Arena 500 W. Kilbourn Ave. Approximately 600 Marquette University graduates will be recognized at the mid-year graduation ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 17, at the U.S. Cellular Arena. The program will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will feature a keynote address by Dr. Heather Hathaway, associate dean for academic affairs in the Helen Way Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, as well as remarks from featured student speaker Katie Lewis and Marquette President Robert A. Wild, S.J. Graduation events will also include a Baccalaureate Mass at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec.16, at Gesu Church, 1145 W. Wisconsin Ave. Hathaway, who will deliver the keynote address, joined Marquette’s faculty in 1994 after completing her doctorate on the history of American civilization at Harvard University.  She has served the university in various roles, including associate professor of English, co-director of the university honors program and director of undergraduate studies.   In addition to her current role as associate dean, she is the director of African-American studies.  Her research focuses on questions surrounding American identity at the individual, cultural and national levels.  Among her many honors, Hathaway received the John P. Raynor Award for Teaching Excellence in 2000 from Marquette.   Katie Lewis, the featured student speaker, is a Klingler College of Arts and Sciences student from Arlington Heights, Ill.  She will be graduating with a degree in psychology and is a member of Alpha Phi sorority, the Pre-law Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters and served as the previous vice president for Psi Chi, the Psychology Honors Society. Lewis is a volunteer at Aurora Sinai Child Protection Center and a peer advocate for V.O.I.C.E. (sexual violence awareness group). She is a tour guide in Marquette's Office of Admissions in addition to her job as a legal assistant at Davison Law Offices in Milwaukee. Lewis plans to attend law school in fall 2007.  She was chosen by a panel of peers and faculty members. Media wishing to attend should contact Anne Broeker in the Office of Marketing and Communication at (414) 288-0286 (office) or (414) 313-1139 (cell).  Office of Marketing and Communication Contacts Anne Broeker Senior Media Relations Specialist Phone: (414) 288-0286 Send e-mail