PHILADELPHIA  Rear Adm. Barry C. Black, chief of chaplains in the United States Navy, will be this years Baccalaureate speaker at the University of Pennsylvania. The Baccalaureate Ceremony will be held Sunday, May 18, in Irvine Auditorium, 3401 Spruce St., Philadelphia.

The Penn Baccalaureate ceremony aspires to reflect the religious diversity of our graduating class in readings and prayers from various traditions, said Penn Chaplain William Gipson. It is an opportunity to reflect on the moral and civic responsibilities of those who are privileged to study and learn at an Ivy League school with an international profile. Adm. Black's distinguished career and life's work make him an ideal choice.

Commissioned as a Navy chaplain in 1976, Black has been stationed throughout the United States and Japan. He received masters degrees in divinity, counseling, and management at Andrews Theological Seminary, a doctorate in ministry at Eastern Baptist Seminary and a doctorate of philosophy degree in psychology at U.S. International University.

Black's personal decorations include the Legion of Merit Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medals and numerous unit awards and campaign and service medals.

To accommodate all who wish to attend, there will be two Baccalaureate Ceremonies, one at 1:30 and the other at 3 p.m. No tickets will be required for admission.