Central College will celebrate commencement May 13.

The ceremony will have 238 students participating at 2 p.m. in H.S. Kuyper Fieldhouse. Graduates and families will also celebrate baccalaureate at 10 a.m. in Douwstra Auditorium.

Pamela Soltis, ‘80 will deliver this year’s commencement speech. Soltis is distinguished professor and curator of molecular systematics and evolutionary genetics in the Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida.

The Pella native studied biology at Central College, then completed her Ph.D. in botany from the University of Kansas. She taught 14 years at Washington State University, then joined the University of Florida faculty in 2000.

Doors to H.S. Kuyper Fieldhouse open for commencement at 12:30 p.m. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble will perform at 1:30 p.m., and a reception and photo opportunities will follow the ceremony in P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium and Kuyper Lawn. The ceremony will also be available online through live streaming. Baccalaureate will also be streamed.

No tickets are distributed for baccalaureate and commencement. Overflow seating for baccalaureate will be available in Graham Conference Center’s Vermeer Banquet room. Commencement seating in chairs and bleachers is available on a first come, first-served basis for all guests.