Chancellor Eakin to deliver fall commencement address

Dr. Richard Eakin, who will retire in 2001 after nearly 14 years as chancellor of East Carolina University, will deliver the featured address at fall commencement on Dec. 9. The ceremony, which begins at 9:30 a.m. in Minges Coliseum, is open to the public. Degrees will be conferred on about 1,700 candidates. Eakin, chancellor since 1987, announced last spring that he will retire next year, effective with the arrival of his successor. Under his leadership ECU has achieved noteworthy improvement on many fronts, including: The university has been designated a doctoral/research institution, enrollment has grown to about 18,000 students, and the test scores of incoming freshmen are at an all-time high. The library has passed the million-volume threshold, grants and contracts have soared to $40 million a year, and numerous academic programs and degrees have been added to the curriculum. The campus has been transformed by millions of dollars in new buildings and major renovations. The university has joined Conference USA and will compete in all sports in the league in 2001-2002.