ECU to graduate 1,692 Dec. 7

East Carolina University will recognize 1, 692 seniors and graduate students at its fall commencement on Saturday.

The colorful ceremony in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium begins at 10 a.m. Prior to the processional of graduates and faculty, there will be a band concert featuring a selection of music associated with the Christmas season. Dr. Walter Pories, a surgeon with the ECU School of Medicine and the founding chairman of the Department of Surgery, will give the commencement address.

Pories came to ECU 19 years ago. He stepped down from the chairmanship of the department in July to give himself more time to spend on research, to act as director of the surgical residency program and to help guide the introduction of managed medical care in eastern North Carolina.
If weather conditions are unfavorable for an outside program, the ceremony will be moved to Williams Arena in Minges Coliseum and there will be two separate programs, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

ECU provides a commencement hotline for students and parents wanting current information about the graduation program. The telephone number is (919) 328-4884. Other numbers for information are 328-6131, 328-4700 and 328-6481. Complete details about the commencement are also available through the World Wide Web at http://www.news.ecu.edu.