PHILADELPHIA, PA - La Salle University will hold its 145^th annual commencement ceremony this Sunday at McCarthy Stadium. Among the 1,093 graduating students in the Class of 2008, 95 are student-athletes or members of a spirit team.

Commencement exercises are scheduled for this Sunday, Mother's Day, at 10:30 a.m. Martha Kutteh of the women's tennis team was chosen to lead the entire La Salle community in the ceremony's opening prayer, while George Attah-Asante of the men's soccer team will lead the closing prayer. Additionally, women's basketball player Melanie Gibbons has been selected to deliver a reading at the Baccalaureate Mass, to be held on Saturday evening at 7:30 in the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul.

Another student-athlete who will be recognized is Michelle Verzi of the women's soccer team, recipient of the Student-Athlete Academic Excellence Award. Michelle will be honored at the Academic Awards Brunch on Saturday morning in the La Salle Union Ballroom.

La Salle University Athletics would like to thank and congratulate all of the graduates of 2008 and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.