Media Contact:
Mick Kulikowski, News Services, 919/515-3470

Dec. 12, 2003

NC State University to Hold Fall Commencement Ceremonies Dec. 17

North Carolina State University will confer nearly 3,000 degrees on graduating students during its fall commencement exercises, beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, in the RBC Center.

Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), will deliver the commencement address. A theoretical physicist, Jackson has been president at RPI since 1999 and has had an impressive career marked by a series of “firsts.” She was the first African-American woman appointed to head the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. She is the first African-American to earn a Ph.D. in any field from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the first African-American woman to head a national research university.

During the commencement ceremonies, NC State Chancellor Marye Anne Fox will confer on December graduates 2,853 degrees: 38 associates, 1,888 bachelor’s, 720 master’s, 206 doctoral and 1 professional degree in engineering. Nineteen valedictorians will be recognized for having earned perfect 4.0 grade point averages during their academic careers at NC State. Chancellor Fox will also confer honorary doctor of sciences degrees on Jackson and on Dr. E. Travis York, chancellor emeritus of the State University System of Florida; and John P. Sall, co-founder and executive vice president of SAS Institute. Lt. Gen. Dan K. McNeill, former commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, will receive an honorary doctor of letters degree.

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 Faculty Brass Quintet will begin playing at 8:30 a.m., and graduates will march onto the arena floor at 9 a.m.

The arena is accessible from the Edwards Mill Road exit off the Wade Avenue Extension, and from Trinity Road. Ample free parking will be available around the arena. More commencement information is available online.

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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.