Close to 250 undergraduate and graduate students received their diplomas from the NC State University College of Natural Resources at the McKimmon Center on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 1:30 p.m in the largest commencement ceremony in the College’s history.
Over 1000 family and friends joined the faculty and staff to celebrate the students’ accomplishments and wish them well as they begin the next phase of their lives.
Toddi Steelman, a professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, gave the commencement address. Dr. Steelman was the recipient of the Outstanding Teacher Award this year for the College of Natural Resources. Her words of advice encouraged the students to stay off the couch, keep it real by making human connections, and make deliberate, active choices about what they want out of their lives.
Brenda Brickhouse, President of the NC State Natural Resources Foundation, Inc., congratulated each of the graduates and presented them with a brass and wood NC State business card holder and asked them to keep in touch with the college and NC State throughout their lives.
Other speakers for the ceremony included Dr. Robert Brown, Dean and Dr. Adrianna Kirkman, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
A student speaker from each of the college’s three departments shared their own life experiences and words of wisdom. Those students include: Ms. Genevieve Pike – Forest Biomaterials; Mr. Andrew McEachran – Forestry and Environmental Resources; and Mr. Steven Houg – Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management.
Immediately following the ceremony, the academic departments hosted a cookie and punch reception for the faculty, staff, students and parents.
Congratulations to the Class of 2011! We wish them well and are confident that each will make a difference in the world and serve as outstanding representatives of the College of Natural Resources and North Carolina State University!