WCU’s fall commencement set for Dec. 17

From WCU’s Public Relations Office

Graduates march into WCU’s E.J. Whitmire Stadium. Photo courtesy of WCU office of Public Relations.

Graduates march into WCU’s E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Fall 2014. Photo courtesy of WCU office of Public Relations.

Western Carolina University will hold commencement exercises Saturday, Dec. 17, to honor its fall graduating class and a group of newly minted WCU alumni who were awarded degrees after this year’s summer-school sessions.

The 1 p.m. ceremony at the Ramsey Regional Activity Center is open to everyone. No tickets are required for admission. Chancellor David Belcher will preside over commencement and deliver his charge to the fall semester degree candidates and summer graduates.

Graduating student Brandon Todd Truitt will deliver the primary commencement address. Truitt is a native of Waynesville who is majoring in communication and political science. WCJ recently published a story on Truitt’s time at WCU and his path to becoming the commencement speaker.

WCU’s fall class includes about 750 students who currently are working on final academic requirements to receive their degrees and who qualify to participate in the ceremony. A group of about 170 WCU graduates who completed degree requirements during summer school and who already have been conferred degrees also will be eligible to don caps and gowns for the event.

Individuals attending the event should enter the Ramsey Center through one of four upper concourse doors. Those with physical disabilities should use the northeastern upper entrance, adjacent to the stands of E.J. Whitmire Stadium.

For those who cannot attend, the ceremony will be streamed live.