A total of 1,959 graduates are eligible to participate in the event. That figure includes all degree candidates for December, as well as graduate students whose degrees have been awarded on a monthly basis from September to November.

The traditional ceremony will include a formal presentation of the graduating class by Sharon Brehm, IU vice president for academic affairs and chancellor of the Bloomington campus. Herbert will follow by presenting the class with its charge. Conferral of degrees will be led by Herbert, assisted by Brehm and the deans of the individual schools. This will be Brehm’s last commencement as vice president and chancellor. She will step down on Dec. 31 to become senior adviser to the president. See related story.

The Rev. Linda Johnson, associate rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, will deliver the invocation. Fred Eichhorn, president of the IU Board of Trustees, will represent the university in the induction of its newest graduates. Thomas Rush, chair of the executive council of the IU Alumni Association, will represent the alumni, and Sarah Keil, a representative of the IU Student Alumni Association, will represent the class. Gwyn Richards, dean of the IU School of Music, will lead musical accompaniment to the processional and recessional, and later will lead the graduates in singing the alma mater and the national anthem.