Beneath the massive white canopy covering the quad in front of Waller Hall, the College of Liberal Arts awarded degrees to 482 undergraduates. Fifty-seven percent of the Class of 2005 are non-Oregon residents representing 30 states. In keeping with national trends, women students outnumbered men 56 to 44 percent. The most popular majors were politics, economics, Spanish, psychology and biology.

The School of Education awarded 86 degrees to a class that is 69 percent women and 78 percent Oregon residents.

Wangari Maathai, the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, gave the keynote address at the College of Liberal Arts and School of Education ceremony. She received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree. (See p. 12 for more on Maathai.)

The University awarded honorary degrees to three other contemporary leaders. William F. Schultz, executive director of Amnesty International, received an honorary doctor of humane letters. Bob Edwards, journalist and 30-year veteran of National Public Radio, received an honorary doctor of public service degree. Wilma Mankiller, chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1985 to 1999, received an honorary doctor of public service degree.

The College of Law awarded 141 JD degrees and two LLM degrees to a class that represented 75 undergraduate colleges and universities and 24 states. The law Class of 2005 is 45 percent women. Retired Washington State Supreme Court Justice Faith Ireland delivered the Commencement address.

The Atkinson Graduate School of Management awarded 65 degrees to a class that is 57 percent men, 43 percent women. Thirty-nine percent of the graduates are non-Oregon residents representing 12 states and four countries. State Senator Frank Morse gave the Commencement address.