Peninsula College and several North Olympic Peninsula high schools will conduct commencement ceremonies this week.
Professor Emeritus Phil Churchley, one of the original dozen full-time faculty members at Peninsula College, will speak to 2012 graduates during the college’s 50th commencement ceremony Saturday.
The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. in the gym at the Port Angeles campus at 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd.
At least 425 graduates earning at least 517 degrees are expected.
The keynote speaker, who retired from the college in 1996 after a long career as a chemistry professor, began teaching at Peninsula College when the doors opened in 1961 at the present site of Port Angeles High School.
The student speaker will be Carol Reamer of Neah Bay, who will graduate with two degrees in administrative office systems.
On Thursday, Quileute Tribal School will present diplomas to two graduates at 5 p.m. at the A-Ka-Lat Center in LaPush, while Lincoln High School will present diplomas to 16 graduates at 6 p.m. at the Peninsula College Little Theater.
On Friday, Port Angeles High School will present diplomas to more than 250 graduates at 8 p.m. at the Port Angeles High School gymnasium.
Tickets, issued four per student, are required for entry to the ceremony due to limited seating.
On Saturday, Quilcene High School will present 20 graduates with their diplomas at 2 p.m. at the Quilcene High School gymnasium, 294715 U.S. Highway 101.
Crescent High School will present 16 graduates and two foreign-exchange students with diplomas and certificates at 3 p.m. that day at the Crescent High School gymnasium, 50350 state Highway 112 in Joyce.
Several high schools already have conducted graduation ceremonies.
They are Neah Bay, Clallam Bay, Forks Alternative School and Forks High School; and Sequim, Port Townsend and Chimacum high schools.