Published: May 05, 2008 09:37 am      

EKU commencement ceremonies May 10

Spring Commencement ceremonies at Eastern Kentucky University on Saturday, May 10, will recognize approximately 1,700 degree candidates.

The 10 a.m. ceremony will recognize degree candidates in the Colleges of Arts and Sciences and Business and Technology.

The 3 p.m. ceremony will recognize degree candidates in the Colleges of Education, Health Sciences and Justice and Safety. All ceremonies are in Alumni Coliseum.

The morning keynote speaker will be William Daugherty, president, chief executive officer and chairman of the Board of Directors for NGAS Resources Inc., headquartered in Lexington.

NGAS is an independent exploration and production company focused on unconventional natural gas basins in the U.S. that support repeatable drilling opportunities, mostly in the southern portion of the Appalachian Basin.

The company has been recognized by Fortune Magazine as one of the top 100 fastest-growing small businesses and as one of America's 100 Best Small Companies.

Daugherty, a graduate of Berea College, serves on the EKU Foundation Board of Directors.

The afternoon keynote speaker will be Craig Williams, Berea, a 1978 EKU graduate who has received international acclaim for leading a grass-roots effort to ensure the safe disposal of obsolete chemical weapons stored at the Bluegrass Army Depot in Madison County and at similar locations nationwide.

Williams has testified before Congress, and Sen. Mitch McConnell and Rep. Ben Chandler have both said that Williams knows more about the issue than any other individual. In 2006, Williams was the North American recipient of the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize.

Both speakers will receive honorary degrees.

Student speakers on behalf of the morning and afternoon degree candidates, respectively, are Felicia Hall, Richmond, and Andrew Bender, Berea.

In all, 1,694 degree candidates will be recognized: 1,297 bachelor's degree candidates, 290 master's degree candidates, 99 associate degree candidates and eight specialist degree candidates.

College receptions for the respective graduates and their families will be conducted in the Fred Darling Gymnasium in Alumni Coliseum immediately after each ceremony.

The public is welcome to attend both ceremonies.