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Steven Schultz

May 30, 2000

Princeton University Confers 1,730 Degrees at 253rd Commencement

PRINCETON, N.J. -- Princeton University conferred a total of 1,730 bachelor and advanced degrees this morning at its 253rd Commencement.

There were 576 men and 524 women from the Class of 2000 awarded undergraduate degrees today; 929 received a bachelor of arts and 171 received a bachelor of science in engineering. In addition, five bachelor of arts degrees were awarded today to candidates from earlier Princeton classes. Seventeen undergraduate degrees had been awarded earlier in the 1999-2000 academic year.

At Commencement, 489 graduating seniors -- or 44.4 percent of the Class of 2000 -- received some form of honors: 103 received highest honors, 159 received high honors and 227 received honors. In the senior class, 43.5 percent of all men received honors and 45.4 percent of women received honors.

For the 1999-2000 academic year, the University awarded 625 advanced degrees. They included 281 doctors of philosophy, 211 masters of arts, 55 masters in public affairs, 17 masters in public policy, 18 masters of architecture, 18 masters of science in engineering, eight masters of engineering, five masters of fine arts, four masters of Near Eastern studies and eight masters in public affairs and urban and regional planning.

In keeping with long tradition, members of the graduating class delivered two Commencement speeches, the valedictory and the Latin salutatory addresses. Andrew Houck of Colts Neck, N.J., who received his bachelor of science in engineering in electrical engineering, was the valedictorian. Kenneth Shaitelman of Great Neck, N.Y., who received a bachelor of arts in classics, was salutatorian.

Princeton University President Harold T. Shapiro delivered brief remarks at the conclusion of the Commencement ceremony.

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