WVU Parkersburg December Commencement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

West Virginia University President Emeritus David C. Hardesty Jr. will deliver the Commencement address at West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s December ceremonies.

WVU President Emeritus David C. Hardesty Jr. The 13th annual December Commencement will be held at 7 p.m., Friday (Dec. 18), in the College Activities Center.

Approximately 286 students are candidates for graduation. They represent August and December graduates. Close to 100 are expected to take part in the ceremonies.

Hardesty is president emeritus and professor of law at WVU, where he teaches subjects related to professional responsibility and the role of legislatures and statutory law in the legal system. He also serves as director of the West Virginia Law Institute. He was the 21st president of WVU from 1995 to 2007. Before becoming president, Hardesty practiced law and was WV state tax commissioner from 1977 to 1980. Hardesty holds degrees from West Virginia University, Oxford University -- which he attended as a Rhodes Scholar -- and Harvard Law School. He is the author and co-author of numerous speeches and various articles on matters related to higher education and leadership.

Following Hardesty's address, WVU Parkersburg President Marie Foster Gnage will confer the certificates and associate and bachelor degrees to the graduates. The August-December class will be presented by Dr. Rhonda Richards, senior vice president of academic affairs. Serving as grand marshal will be Maggie Berdine, professor of English. Faculty members Al Edwards and Stan Coberly will assist as marshals.

A reception for the graduates and their families will follow the Commencement exercises in the cafeteria concourse.

On Thursday (Dec. 17), WVU Parkersburg Nursing candidates for graduation will participate in Pinning ceremonies at 7 p.m. in the College Activities Center. Featured speaker will be Marcella Wells, director of education at St. Joseph's Hospital. A reception will follow.