Bowles Shares Principles of Success with '08 Grads

Erskine Bowles said the principles he shared with the graduates had served him well in life.

University of North Carolina system president Erskine Bowles shared five principles for success with NC State's class of 2008 during commencement exercises held Saturday at the RBC Center.

Bowles told the graduates to never "over-promise," to do quality work, to be open to new ideas, to do good works in the community, and to always make time for family.The principles, Bowles said, are ones that he tries to emulate.

He also joked that The Technician had described him as being among a "boring" list of commencement speakers and also said the newspaper suggested more exciting commencement speakers "like Carolina's." Bowles pointed out that he actually was on the list of those "more exciting" speakers, having given the address at a Chapel Hill graduation.

Chancellor James Oblinger conferred 4,030 degrees – 88 associate's, 2,857 bachelor's, 883 master's, 125 doctoral and 77 doctor of veterinary medicine degrees – on 3,768 students during the ceremony. One hundred and fifteen valedictorians will be recognized for earning perfect 4.0 grade point averages during their academic careers. NC State granted 6,955 degrees in 2007-08, exceeding the 2006-07 number by more than 200.

Oblinger also conferred honorary degrees on Pat Mora, an award-winning author of poetry, nonfiction and children's literature; Richard Robb, a noted business professional who has provided important service to numerous corporate and non-profit boards, including NC State's Board of Trustees; and C.D. Spangler, an accomplished businessman and former president of the University of North Carolina system.