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

Dec. 12, 2005

NC State University to Hold Fall Commencement Ceremonies Dec. 14

North Carolina State University will confer more than 3,000 degrees on graduating students during its fall commencement exercises, beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, in the RBC Center. Media coverage is invited.

William R. (Bill) McNeal, superintendent of the Wake County Public School System and winner of the 2004 National Superintendent of the Year award from the American Association of School Administrators, will deliver the commencement address. McNeal has devoted nearly his entire career – 31 years – to the Wake County Public School System, serving as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent and associate superintendent before being named superintendent in July 2000. As superintendent, McNeal has worked to narrow the achievement gap while embracing a new goal: high academic growth and 95 percent of students meeting academic standards by 2008.

During the commencement ceremonies, NC State Chancellor James L. Oblinger will confer 3,029 degrees – 41 associate’s; 1,924 bachelor’s; 804 master’s; and 260 doctoral – on 2,889 students. Nineteen valedictorians will be recognized for having earned perfect 4.0 grade point averages during their academic careers at NC State.

Oblinger will also confer honorary degrees on McNeal and on Dean Kamen, president and founder of DEKA Research and Development Corp.; W. Duke Kimbrell, chairman of the board for Parkdale Mills; and Hugh Morton, a North Carolina conservationist, naturalist and photographer.

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.

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 at www.ncsu.edu/registrar/graduation/index.html.

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Note to editors: Media seating will be provided near the front of the stage on the lefthand
side. NC State News Services personnel will be available to assist reporters.