Approximately 500 to Receive Degrees During 171st Commencement May 10

Guilford will confer degrees upon approximately 500 graduates during its 171st commencement exercises Saturday, May 10. The program will be at Founders Hall quadrangle beginning at 9:30 a.m. In the event of rain, the ceremony will be in Ragan-Brown Field House.

President Kent Chabotar will preside over his sixth commencement and give the charge to the graduates. Invited speaker Bruce B. Stewart ’61 and student speakers Garrett FitzGerald ’08 and Cynthia Bowen ’08 will each deliver remarks.

Stewart, a trustee emeritus, has a life-long career in the education field. He has been dean of students at N.C. School of the Arts and head of school at Abington Friends School (Pa.) and Sidwell Friends School (D.C.), from which he will retire in 2009. From 1970-1984, he served in several roles at Guilford including director of admission, academic dean and acting president. Stewart was a member of the Board of Trustees from 1986-2003 and chair from 1999-03.

FitzGerald, from Louisville, Ky., is a religious studies and peace and conflict studies major. He has been an active member of the campus music scene with his band, The Clay Pigeons, performing at Serendipity and fundraisers for Hurricane Katrina relief, HIV/AIDS Summit and Bonner spring break trips. Fitzgerald will be pursuing a master of

theological studies degree at Harvard Divinity School beginning this fall.

Bowen, of Greensboro, is a psychology major with a concentration in interpersonal communication. She has been a volunteer for the CCE Student Government Association as well as Agents of Grace, Friends Home West, Urban Ministries and Red Cross. Bowen is employed by Greensboro Day School and is a member of First Lutheran Church. She plans to pursue a graduate degree.

Also participating in the program are Max Carter, director of Friends Center and campus ministry coordinator; Steve Shapiro, associate academic dean and associate professor of physics; and Steve Taylor ’75, president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

The ceremony will also include music by the Guilford Jazz Quartet, the college choir, directed by Wendy Looker, and bagpipers Ruffin Hobbs ’75 and Dave Thomas.

The college will hold a baccalaureate service for graduates, their families and friends Friday, May 9, at 6 p.m. in Dana Auditorium.

For a full schedule of commencement events, click here.

May 10, 2008