NC State University To Hold Commencement Ceremonies May 15

North Carolina State University will confer more than 4,500 degrees on graduating students during its spring commencement exercises, beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 15, in the RBC Center in Raleigh. Media coverage is welcomed.

Charlie Rose, Emmy award-winning journalist and host of the “Charlie Rose” show, will deliver the commencement address.

Chancellor  Randy Woodson will confer 4,566 degrees – 113 associate’s, 3,163 bachelor’s, 1,057 master’s, 156 doctoral and 77 doctor of veterinary medicine degrees – on 4,299 students during the ceremony. One hundred and twenty-eight valedictorians will be recognized for earning perfect 4.0 grade point averages, With the 3,013 degrees NC State conferred last December, a total of 7,579 degrees will be awarded in the 2009-2010 academic year – the highest number to date.

Woodson will also confer honorary degrees on Rose, Dr. I. King Jordan, the first deaf president of Gallaudet University and Dr. William Julius Wilson,  the Lewis P. and Linda L. Geyser University Professor at Harvard University and director of the Joblessness and Urban Poverty Research Program.

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.

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.

– barnhill-