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

Dec. 13, 2004

NC State University to Hold Fall Commencement Ceremonies Dec. 15

North Carolina State University will confer more than 2,800 degrees on graduating students during its fall commencement exercises, beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15, in the RBC Center. Media coverage is invited.

R. Scott Wallinger, retired senior vice president of MeadWestvaco and a 1960 graduate of NC State, will deliver the commencement address. A champion of sustainable development, Wallinger has worked tirelessly to promote sustainable forestry. He is a founding director of the National Commission on Science for Sustainable Forestry, and co-leader of The Forests Dialogue, an international group representing industry, nongovernmental organizations and forest owners that uses dialogue to break impasses on critical forest issues. He also led the forest industry in the effort to establish the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, which commits every member company to implement sustainability practices on their own lands.

During the commencement ceremonies, NC State Interim Chancellor Robert Barnhardt will confer 2,819 degrees – 80 associate’s, 1,921 bachelor’s, 619 master’s, and 199 doctoral – on 2,656 students. Twenty-eight valedictorians will be recognized for having earned perfect 4.0 grade point averages during their academic careers at NC State.

Barnhardt will also confer honorary degrees on Wallinger and on Richard Benedick, former U.S. ambassador and a principal architect of a major treaty protecting the atmosphere, and Robert Ward, an internationally renowned composer.

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 Pipes and Drums 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.