John Brown University will graduate its largest class in university history with 274 students in the traditional undergraduate program and 183 students in the graduate and degree completion programs.

JBU will hold the spring commencement ceremony for traditional undergraduate students Saturday, May 9 at 10:00 a.m. and the graduate and degree completion ceremony at 2:00 p.m. Both ceremonies will be held in the Bill George Arena.

Bill Pollard, chairman of Fairwyn Investment Company and father to JBU President Chip Pollard, will give this year’s commencement address. Mr. Pollard served in leadership at The ServiceMaster Company for 25 years, acting as its chief executive officer twice and as the company’s board chairman. He is the author of several books including best-seller “The Soul of the Firm” and his newest book “The Tides of Life.”

Pollard has been recognized for his leadership in business, ethics and corporate governance with the Hesburgh Award for Business Ethics from Notre Dame and a special recognition from the Harvard Business School as a business leader of the 20th Century who helped shape the way people live, work and interact.

Due to the size of the traditional undergraduate class, JBU has elected to distribute tickets for the undergraduate ceremony. Traditional undergraduate seniors have been given tickets to the Bill George Arena as well as to overflow seating areas in the Berry Performing Arts Center and Cathedral of the Ozarks where guests may watch a live simulcast of the graduation program.

The ceremonies can also be viewed via live simulcast online at www.jbu.edu/commencement.

For additional information about JBU commencement or ticketing, contact Johanna Musgrave, assistant director of communications, or visit www.jbu.edu/commencement/ticketing/.