Dual commencements scheduled for May 8; Fall 09, Spring 10 graduations hours apart

It will take two commencements, two separate venues and two different times for Winston-Salem State to say goodbye to its graduating seniors and give a proper farewell to its fall 2009 graduates May 8.

At 9:45 a.m. fall commencement will be in the K.R. Williams Auditorium.  Interim Director for Media and Public Relations Nancy Young said that K.R. Williams was selected because the number of fall graduates expected to attend the ceremony is only approximately 280 people.

 "It [fall commencement] will be much more intimate," Young said. 

The original fall commencement had an estimated 525 candidataes.

Spring commencement will be  at 2 p.m. in the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.  Young said there are approximately 700 possible participants for spring commencement, which led to the larger venue.   Separating both commencements alleviates concerns of an overcrowded venue and restrictions on audience side.

"There will be no ticket requirements for audience members," Young said. 

Young said there were parking issues at the coliseum last year; however, there should not be parking issues on campus for fall commencement because a majority of the students will have left. Both commencements will have separate speakers.  Larry Womble, a member of the N.C. House of Representatives will speak for the fall ceremony;  Dr. Donald Stewart, who served as president of Spelman College for 10 years will speak for the spring ceremony.

For more information regarding the Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 commencement ceremonies click Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 Commencement Exercises or visit www.wssu.edu