Colleges and universities across the state have lined up special speakers for spring commencement exercises, which start Friday:

Central Maine Community College, Auburn

6 p.m. Friday, May 11, at the Colisee, Lewiston.

Speaker: Gary Crocker, director of state and federal programs, Maine Community College System, and Maine humorist.

Washington County Community College, Calais

11 a.m. Friday, May 11, at Calais High School.

Speaker: Joseph Nicholas, Passamaquoddy Tribe.

University of Maine, Orono

10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Saturday, May 12, Alfond Arena.

Speakers: Robert Edwards, president emeritus of Bowdoin College; Tess Gerritsen, best-selling author.

University of Maine at Augusta (including University College of Bangor)

10 a.m. Saturday, May 12, Augusta Civic Center.

Speaker: Augusta Mayor Roger Katz.

University of Maine at Farmington

10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 12, outside, behind Olsen Student Center.

Speaker: Alan G. Kuniholm, principal of Portland PDT Architects.

University of Maine, Fort Kent

1 p.m. Saturday, May 12, UMFK Sports Center.

Speaker: Norman L. Fournier, executive director, Fish River Rural Health.

University of Maine at Machias

2 p.m. Saturday, May 12, Frederick Reynolds Athletic Center.

Speaker: Frank Van Riper, Down East journalist.

University of Maine at Presque Isle

10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 12, Wieden Gymnasium.

Speaker: Gov. John Baldacci.

University of Southern Maine, Portland-Gorham

9 a.m. Saturday, May 12, Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland.

Speaker: Richard L. Pattenaude, USM president.

University of New England, Biddeford

3 p.m. Saturday, May 12, Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland.

Speaker: Robert Shetterly, Maine artist.

York County Community College, Wells

10 a.m. Saturday, May 12, on campus.

Speaker: Maine Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman.

Husson College, Bangor

10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 12, in Winkin Athletic Complex.

Speaker: U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud, 2nd Congressional District.

Saint Joseph’s College, Standish

10 a.m. Saturday, May 12, at Alfond Center.

Thomas College, Waterville

1 p.m. Saturday, May 12, in the Harold Alfond Athletic Center.

Speaker: John Rowe, chairman, president of Exelon Corp.

Unity College, Unity

1 p.m. Saturday, May 12, in the gymnasium.

Speaker: Janisse Ray, environmental activist, poet, and author of “Ecology of a Cracker Childhood.”

Maine College of Art, Portland

2 p.m., Sunday, May 13, at Merrill Auditorium.

Speaker: Tim Rollins, artist and founder of Kids of Survival.

Eastern Maine Community College, Bangor

1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at Bangor Auditorium.

Speaker: Robert Jenkins, EMCC 2007 Student of the Year.

Kennebec Valley Community College, Fairfield

10 a.m. Saturday, May 19, Augusta Civic Center.

Speaker: Elizabeth Mitchell, majority leader, Maine Senate.

Northern Maine Community College, Presque Isle

10 a.m. Saturday, May 19, at the gymnasium.

Speaker: U.S. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine.

Southern Maine Community College, South Portland

12 p.m. Saturday, May 19, Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland.

Speaker: Gary Crocker, director of state and federal programs, Maine Community College System, and Maine humorist.

Bates College, Lewiston

10 a.m. Sunday, May 27, on the quad in front of Coram Library.

Speaker: Corey Harris, singer-songwriter.

Bowdoin College, Brunswick

10 a.m. Saturday, May 26, Walker Art Building terrace.

Colby College, Waterville

10 a.m. Sunday, May 27, on the lawn in front of Miller Library.

Speaker: Thomas C. Schelling, winner of 2005 Nobel Prize in Economics for his work in game theory.