Congratulations Class of 2013!
The University of Washington Bothell will celebrate its 22nd Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, June 16, in Hec Edmundson Pavilion, Alaska Airlines Arena, at UW Seattle.
During the ceremony, the institution will award baccalaureate and master's degrees and will recognize students receiving their Washington State teaching certificates.
Come to the Grad Fair: June 1, 3 and 4th
The 2013 Grad Fair will take place Saturday, June 1, Monday June 3, and Tuesday, June 4, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Held at the North Creek Events Center, Grad Fair is where graduating students can pick up their commencement apparel and guest tickets. The North Creek Events Center is located on the east side of the UW Bothell campus. Click here for a site map.
Commencement Speaker
Dr. Oscar Arias is the 2013 Commencement speaker. A two-time President of Costa Rica, he is best known for bringing peace to Central America in 1987.
Arias was born in 1940. He studied in Boston before enrolling at the University of Costa Rica for law and economic studies. In the 1960’s he began working for the National Liberation Party. In 1970 he was the assistant to Jose Figueres, a former president seeking reelection. Upon reelection Arias was made Minister of National Planning and Political Economy. Dr. Arias earned his doctorate in political science from the University of Essex in England with his provocative thesis published in 1971, “Who Rules Costa Rica?” Arias was on the fast-track within the PLN, he was highly-educated, well-traveled, and a published political thinker.
Dr. Oscar Arias was elected President of Costa Rica in 1986, and immediately began working for peace in Central America. In 1987 Arias succeeded in convening the Presidents of El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua to agree to a peace agreement. Civil war and the Cold War turned Central America into a battleground. The Procedure to Establish a Firm and Lasting Peace committed the five governments to dialogue, guarantee of the inviolability of life, cease-fire, and free elections.
The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Dr. Oscar Arias in 1987 for his tireless effort to bringing peace to Central America.
With the monetary award that comes with the Nobel Peace Prize, President Arias formed the Arias Foundation for Peace & Human Progress. The aim of the foundation is to promote peace, justice and equality in Central America – and serve as a model in these areas for the rest of the world. It has become one of the leading organizations in Central America.
Contact Information
For more information or questions about the commencement ceremony, please contact Lisa Walker, Commencement Coordinator at 425.352.3663 or commencement@uwb.edu.