TO ADDRESS GRADUATES

ECU alumna slated to speak at 2013 spring commencement

An East Carolina University alumna and award-winning developer of children’s programs will deliver the university’s spring 2013 commencement address May 10. 

Lovelace

Dr. Valeria O. Lovelace is president and founder of Media Transformations, an educational research and production company that develops projects to promote learning and positive role models for children. She is a consultant for Nickelodeon’s “Go, Diego, Go” and for Disney’s Emmy-nominated “Little Einsteins,” as well as advisor and creator for the 2004 Peabody Award wining series, “Dora the Explorer.” 

From 1982 to 1996, Lovelace directed research for “Sesame Street,” where she coordinated curriculum development in reading, writing, math, science, ecology, music, geography, computers and race relations. She also provided guidelines for addressing difficult issues such as death, divorce and adoption.

Lovelace served on the ECU Board of Trustees for seven years and was selected as one of the 100 Incredible ECU Women. She is an adjunct professor at Bergen Community College and Fairleigh Dickinson University. A Mt. Olive native, Lovelace graduated from ECU in 1973. She holds master’s and doctoral degrees in social psychology from the University of Michigan.

The commencement ceremony will begin with a processional at 9 a.m. in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. During the event, more than 3,690 students are expected to receive their degrees, including approximately 2,710 bachelor degree candidates and 982 graduate degree candidates, of which 71 are from the Brody School of Medicine.

Many colleges, schools at departments will hold unit recognition ceremonies during commencement weekend. A complete listing of those events is available at http://www.ecu.edu/news/commencement.

Individuals with disabilities requesting accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the Department for Disability Support Services at (252) 328-6799 (V) or (252) 328-0899 (TTY).