NC State to Hold Commencement Ceremony May 12

North Carolina State University will confer more than 5,200 degrees on graduating students during its spring commencement exercise, beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 12, in the PNC Arena in Raleigh. Media coverage is invited.

Philip Rivers, quarterback for the San Diego Chargers and NC State alumnus, will deliver the commencement address.

Chancellor Randy Woodson will confer 5,236 degrees – 67 associate’s, 3,500 bachelor’s, 1,398 master’s, 195 doctoral, and 76 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees – during the ceremony. One hundred twenty-four valedictorians will be recognized for earning perfect 4.0 grade point averages.

With the 3,041 degrees NC State conferred last December, a total of 8,022 degrees will be awarded in the 2011-12 academic year.

Woodson will also confer honorary degrees on Robert B. Jordan III, former N.C. lieutenant governor and NC State alumnus, and David H. Murdock, chairman of Dole Food Company Inc.

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.

-30-