KINGSTON, R.I. — May 17, 2012 — The University of Rhode Island’s 2012 Commencement Ceremonies will be webcast on Saturday and Sunday, May 19-20, making it possible for many to enjoy the ceremony — virtually. Both Graduate and Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies will be webcast on *URI Live! (www.uri.edu/news/urilive).

People living inside or outside the state, can catch the action by simply turning on their computer. Or if they’re on campus and can’t see or hear what’s happening, they may be able to access the stream from a computer or some mobile devices.

Webcast Schedule:

Saturday, May 19, Graduate Commencement at the Ryan Center begins at 12:15 p.m.

On Sunday, May 20, Undergraduate Commencement on the Quad, begins at 12:15 p.m.

The webcast on Sunday will be narrated by Dave Lavallee, assistant director of URI’s Department of Communications and Marketing. Lavallee earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from URI in 1979 and was a newspaper reporter for 13 years before joining URI in 1994. He has hosted or co-hosted the broadcast/webcast of the University’s undergraduate commencement ceremony for about seven years.

For the first time, people watching the ceremonies online also will have the opportunity to share their thoughts and ask questions about what they’re seeing. In addition to the “chat,” staff members from URI’s Department of Communications and Marketing will be available online live to respond to queries and post related information.

On Sunday, May 20, listeners also have the option to tune their radio dial to WRIU, 90.3 FM to hear the excitement.

In case of rain on Sunday, the ceremonies will be webcast live from the Ryan Center at URI.