Marquette to Celebrate Mid-Year Graduation International leader in refugee policy and service learning to address graduates Released: Dec. 13, 2004 Marquette University will celebrate its annual mid-year graduation ceremony on Sunday, December 19, 2004 at the U.S. Cellular Arena.  The program will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will feature a keynote address by Dr. Judith Mayotte, visiting professor of theology. Marquette President Robert A. Wild, S.J., will also address the graduates, after which they will be individually recognized for their accomplishments.  Graduation events will also include a Baccalaureate Mass at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at Gesu Church, 1145 W. Wisconsin Ave. For the past three decades, Dr. Mayotte has dedicated her life to helping refugees in war-torn nations, even at great personal cost.  She lost her leg in a 1993 accident during a food drop in the Sudan.  Rather than sitting on the sidelines, she accepted an appointment from the Clinton administration to serve as a national adviser on refugee policy. Mayotte continues to work for peace and justice while establishing Marquette's International Service Learning Institute in Cape Town, South Africa.  Earlier this year, she was among 100 people inducted into the "Hall of Everyday Freedom Heroes,” a permanent exhibit at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. The mid-year graduation program will also feature Stephanie Noll, a Klingler College of Arts and Sciences senior from Lisbon, Iowa.  Noll carries an English and Secondary Education double major as well as a Spanish minor.  Her impressive list of pursuits include serving as a tutor at the Writing Center, student manager in the AMU, resident assistant in Carpenter Tower, and an Orientation staff member.  Noll was also involved in several social justice organizations at Marquette and studied for six months in Santiago, Chile. Guest seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking is free in all university lots during graduation weekend. Interested media should contact Anne Broeker in the Office of Public Affairs for more information. Office of Public Affairs Contacts Anne Broeker Senior Media Relations Specialist Phone: (414) 288-0286 Send e-mail