Gov. Patrick Addressing UMass Amherst Graduates

Gov. Deval Patrick is ending the week with a commencement address at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Patrick will address about 5,500 graduating seniors and more than 20,000 expected guests at the ceremony that begins in McGuirk Alumni Stadium at 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Also at the ceremony, honorary doctoral degrees will be presented to retired U.S. Rep. John Olver and New York Times columnist and author Gail Collins.

Olver, a former UMass Amherst chemistry professor, represented Massachusetts in Congress from 1991 to 2013. He's receiving an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree.

Collins earned a master's degree in government from UMass Amherst in 1970. She's receiving an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

At the graduate commencement ceremony Friday morning about 1,200 candidates are receiving master's and doctoral degrees.