Listen: You just might catch some seniors humming Pomp and Circumstance. Commencement is less than four weeks away.

Saint Louis University will hold its 2001 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 19 at 10 a.m. at the Savvis Center. St. Louis Archbishop Justin Rigali will offer the benediction, and Dr. Arnold L. Mitchem will give the commencement address.

Bridget Fletcher, assistant to the president, explained that suggestions for the commencement speaker and honorary degree recipients are gathered by a recognition committee.

The committee consists of representatives from the Student Government Association, the Staff Advisory Council and the academic deans.

“The nominations come from across the SLU community in every shape and form through a Web site we maintain, and through e-mail,” Fletcher said.

After reviewing backgrounds and information on the potential candidates, the committee then forwards its recommendations to the Board of Trustees, which makes the final approval for the speaker.

Mitchem has devoted his career to helping low-income, first-generation college students. He helps lead TRIO programs, which enable Americans to enter college and graduate, regardless of economic circumstance. Mitchem earned his doctorate at Marquette University and will receive an honorary doctor-of-humanities degree at the ceremony.

Others receiving honorary degrees are Richard Baron, Margaret Farley and Raymond J. and Elizabeth Kalinowski.

Ray Kalinowski had a successful career at A.G. Edwards. He retired as the firm’s vice chair and corporate treasurer. He also is a former SLU trustee, and his leadership yielded a large growth in the University’s endowment. The Kalinowskis are active volunteers and are involved with several charitable and civic organizations.

Baron is the president and CEO of McCormack Baron & Associates. He has worked in several cities around the country, including St. Louis, on the redevelopment of central business districts and rejuvenation of neglected neighborhoods.

Farley is the Gilbert Stark Professor of Christian Ethics at Yale University. An influential author and instructor, she has been an advocate for justice, public responsibility, equality for women and the Catholic Church.

All of the schools and colleges will hold their own pre-commencement ceremonies on either Thursday, May 17 or Friday, May 18. Also on Friday, a Baccalaureate mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier College Church for all the graduates, their families and friends.