Dean Ulrichson, professor of chemical engineering, will be looking out at a sea of caps and gowns Saturday. He has been chosen by Iowa State President Martin Jischke to be the commencement speaker at the undergraduate graduation ceremony.

“It is an honor,” Ulrichson said. “I’m not sure how I got selected, but I’m pleased to be selected.”

Jischke chose Ulrichson as speaker because of his commitment to ISU and the faculty.

“He is a very distinguished member of the faculty,” he said. He said Ulrichson, who is serving as the Faculty Senate president, represented the faculty well.

Jischke said he selects the speaker based on his or her involvement in the campus community.

Ulrichson’s speech is titled, “Are You Y2K Compliant?” He will discuss what college students need to do now that formal education is over to continue learning and to prepare for life.

Ulrichson earned his B.S. from University of Nebraska, his M.S. from University of Illinois and came to ISU to gain his Ph.D. in chemical engineering.

After earning his Ph.D., Ulrichson began his assistant professorship at ISU in 1970. He has remained at ISU ever since, and he became a full professor in 1981.

Ulrichson has been an active member of the ISU faculty. He has received a number of awards, including the Iowa Board of Regents Award for Excellence in Teaching Engineering Design. He also is a Fulbright Lecturer in India.