NC State to Hold Commencement Ceremony May 9

North Carolina State University will confer degrees on nearly 5,400 graduating students during its spring commencement exercise, beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 9, at the PNC Arena in Raleigh. Media coverage is invited.

During the ceremony, Chancellor Randy Woodson will confer 5,392 degrees – 103 associate’s, 3,703 bachelor’s, 1,329 master’s, 178 doctoral and 79 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees. A total of 138 valedictorians will be recognized for earning perfect 4.0 grade-point averages during their academic careers at NC State. With the 3,462 degrees conferred last December, NC State will award a total of 8,854 degrees in the 2014-15 academic year.

National Science Foundation Director France A. Córdova will deliver the commencement address. During the ceremony, Chancellor Randy Woodson will confer honorary degrees on Betsy Bennett, the visionary former director of the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, and retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Clara L. Adams-Ender, executive director of a nonprofit dedicated to helping students of modest means complete college.

NC State officials do not expect major traffic congestion, but they 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.