The class of 1996--which suffered through the worst of TeleBEARS, celebrated the best of Cal basketball and will likely remember the Naked Guy as a blip in their Berkeley experience--bid a collective farewell to the campus at Commencement Convocation May 7 in Zellerbach Auditorium.

Between now and May 25, nearly 9,500 undergraduates and graduate students will participate in 67 separate commencement ceremonies on campus.

At Commencement Convocation, Pedro Noguera, a former president of the ASUC and now an assistant professor in the Graduate School of Education, addressed the students.

Chancellor Tien presented the awards for top graduating seniors, with the University Medal going to Dana Russell Wagner, who earned a double major in economics and comparative literature without ever receiving below an A grade.

The Kenneth Priestley Award for outstanding leadership and contribution to student welfare went to Felicia Sze of Lisle, Ill., an honors student majoring in molecular and cell biology. She has been active in student government, serving as executive vice president and academic affairs chief of staff.

Receiving honorable mention were Elwyn Cabebe of South San Francisco and Roland Ng from Tracy.

The Mather Good Citizen Award for outstanding civic commitment, well-rounded scholarship and service to the university was awarded to Amy Lu of Cupertino, an honors student majoring in anthropology and molecular and cell biology. Active on many university committees, she was chair of the Student Health Advisory Committee. Timmy Lee of San Francisco received honorable mention.

The Anna Espenschade Prize to a graduating senior female athlete for excellence of attitude in athletic endeavor was presented to Kerri Barrett of Novato, captain of the women's basketball team.