NC State To Hold Commencement Ceremonies Dec. 17

North Carolina State University will confer more than 3,400 degrees on graduating students during its fall commencement exercises, beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, in the RBC Center in Raleigh. Media coverage is welcomed.

During the ceremony, Chancellor Randy Woodson will confer 3,437 degrees – 87 associate’s, 2,105 bachelor’s, 988 master’s, 254 doctoral and three doctor of veterinary medicine degrees. Twenty-four valedictorians will be recognized for earning perfect 4.0 grade-point-averages during their academic careers at NC State.

Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, a Nobel Prize-winning climate scientist and NC State alumnus, will deliver the commencement address. Woodson will confer honorary degrees on behalf of NC State to Pachauri; Robert G. Stanton, senior advisor to the secretary of the U.S. Dept. of the Interior; and Rev. Ray A. Buchanan, co-founder and international president of Stop Hunger Now, an international hunger relief agency.

NC State officials do not expect major traffic congestion, but advise attendees to be in their seats by 8:15 a.m. NC State’s Amalgam Brass Ensemble will begin playing at 8:30 a.m., and graduates will march onto the arena floor at 9 a.m. More commencement information is available online at www.ncsu.edu/registrar/graduation/index.html.

Note to editors: Media seating will be provided near the front of the stage on the left-hand side. NC State News Services personnel will be available to assist reporters.

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