Muriel Siebert, the first woman to own a seat on the New York Stock Exchange and to head a member brokerage firm, will be the speaker at UNCG's 113th commencement exercises on Friday, May 13.

Siebert will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree during the graduation exercises, set for 10 a.m. in the Greensboro Coliseum. UNCG will recognize approximately 2,000 students who have completed undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees during spring semester. Chancellor Patricia A. Sullivan will lead the ceremonies.

Siebert made her way to Wall Street when she accepted a position as a trainee research analyst with the leading firm Bache & Co. in 1954. She became the first female member of the NYSE in 1967. Her climb was challenging; nine of the first 10 men Siebert asked to sponsor her application turned her down and she nearly did not obtain the $300,000 bank loan necessary to acquire her $450,000 NYSE seat. In 1969, she opened her own firm, Muriel Siebert and Co., Inc.

Her no-holds-barred approaches to challenges that have arisen throughout her career have earned her a risk-taker reputation. During her career, Siebert has been New York State Superintendent of Banking, has run for the U.S. Senate and has established the innovative Siebert Entrepreneurial Philanthropic Plan to share her firm’s net profits with charities.

Siebert received the Financial Women’s Association “Woman of the Year” award and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor Award in 1994, was a founding member of the Women’s Forum, and is a member of numerous financial organizations. Although she never graduated from college, Siebert has received at least 10 honorary doctoral degrees from institutions across the country.

In addition to Sullivan and Siebert, other participants will include Provost Edward Uprichard; Dr. Eileen Kohlenberg, chair of the Faculty Senate; Kenneth C. Mayer Jr., representing the UNCG Board of Trustees; Dr. James C. Sadler, associate vice president for academic planning, representing the UNC Office of the President; Ann Fitzmaurice-Russ, president of the UNCG Alumni Association; Dr. James Petersen, dean of the Graduate School; and Adrian James Lee, who is the speaker for the Class of 2005.

Also taking part in the ceremonies will be UNCG’s academic deans; Dr. Bert Goldman, who is faculty marshal and mace bearer; and Jonathon Britton, chief marshal. At the conclusion, the University Bell will be rung by Dixie Boney Soo, an alumna of the Class of 1955, and Anomis Davis, Class of 2005 alumni representative, and the tassel-turner will be Steven J. Martin. The Commencement Brass and Chorus will provide music.

Diploma/Recognition Ceremonies

In conjunction with commencement exercises, the professional schools and many departments in the College of Arts and Sciences will conduct diploma ceremonies on campus or nearby. The following schools and departments will conduct recognition ceremonies or have receptions on:

Wednesday, May 4 – noon, Women’s and Gender Studies Program, Campus Ministries Building.

Thursday, May 12
• 10 a.m., School of Nursing, Fleming Gymnasium;
• 2 p.m., School of Human Environmental Sciences, Fleming Gymnasium;
• 5-7 p.m., Department of Religious Studies, home of Dr. Ben Ramsey, 810 Rankin Place;
• 6 p.m., Department of Classical Studies, home of Dr. Jeffrey Soles, 212 S. Park Drive;
• 6:30 p.m., Department of History, Elliott University Center (EUC) Auditorium;
• 7:30 p.m., Department of Sociology, School of Music Recital Hall.

Friday, May 13
• 1 p.m., Department of Anthropology, School of Music Organ Hall; Department of Art, School of Music Recital Hall; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Syngenta Lobby, first floor, Science Building; Department of Geography, Room 109, Graham Building; Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program, O. Henry Hotel, Hawkins Brown Room, 624 Green Valley Road; Department of Mathematical Sciences (floating reception 1-3 p.m.), Room 416, Bryan Building; Department of Philosophy, Room 206 Foust Building;
• 1:30 p.m., Genetic Counseling Program, Kirkland Room, EUC; Gerontology Program, 119 McIver Street;
• 2 p.m., Department of Theatre, Taylor Building Theatre;
• 2:30 p.m., Department of Broadcasting and Cinema, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 2105 W. Market St.; Bryan School of Business and Economics, Special Events Center, Greensboro Coliseum Complex; Department of English, EUC Auditorium; Department of German, Russian and Japanese Studies, Birch Room, EUC; Department of Political Science, Jarrell Lecture Hall, Jackson Library; Department of Psychology, Curry Building Auditorium; Department of Romance Languages, Lobby, Phillips-Hawkins Residence Hall; School of Health and Human Performance, Fleming Gymnasium;
• 3 p.m., School of Music, West Market United Methodist Church, 302 W. Market St.; Department of Biology, Science Building Auditorium;
• 4-6 p.m., Department of Communication, School of Music Recital Hall;
• 6-7:30 p.m., Department of Physics and Astronomy, home of Dr. Stephen Danford, 1610 West End Place.

Saturday, May 14 – 10 a.m., School of Education, Aycock Auditorium.