ORONO — About 500 midyear graduates will take part in the University of Maine’s 181st commencement at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, at Alfond Arena.

A total of 557 undergraduates and 137 graduate students, including 12 doctoral candidates, have applied for graduation this December, and 490 have indicated they will participate in the ceremony.

Julia M. Watkins, interim vice president for academic affairs at UM, will give the commencement address. Degrees will be conferred by Charles E. Tarr, dean of the Graduate School, and graduates will be congratulated by President Frederick E. Hutchinson. Judith I. Bailey, interim vice president for research and public service, and faculty advisers will assist with hooding doctoral candidates.

UM System board of trustees member Penny S. Harris will bring greetings from the trustees, and Peter T. Gammons Jr., chairman of the UM General Alumni Association Board, will welcome the graduates as new alumni. Music will be provided by the UM Brass Ensemble and the Maine Steiners.