By Steve Gilliam, University Relations
Contact: (336) 334-5371
Posted 3-25-09
GREENSBORO, NC – North Carolina’s first female governor, Beverly Perdue, will be the commencement speaker for UNCG on Friday, May 15.
Chancellor Linda P. Brady will officiate at UNCG’s 117th graduation at 10 a.m. in the Greensboro Coliseum. The university will recognize approximately 3,200 students who are candidates for undergraduate, masters and doctoral degrees. Honorary degrees also will be presented.
Get more information at Commencement Central, including times and locations for school and departmental diploma ceremonies.
In her successful and history making bid for the governor’s office, Perdue announced her candidacy in October of 2007. She won the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in May of 2008, defeating State Treasurer Richard H. Moore and Dennis Nielsen. She went on to defeat Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory on Nov. 4, 2008, and win the state’s top elected post.
Perdue’s career in public service has focused on creating jobs, developing world-class public schools and improving citizens’ health. Prior to her election as governor, Perdue was one of North Carolina’s most active lieutenant governors. During her terms as lieutenant governor, she led state efforts during the Defense Department’s Base Realignment and Closure process to keep North Carolina’s military bases. She also launched the N.C. Military Foundation to attract defense, aerospace and homeland security jobs to North Carolina. She was instrumental in the creation of the Green
Business Fund to make environmental innovation investments in alternative fuels, green construction, and other clean energy technologies.
Drawing on her experience as a teacher, Perdue is working to transform North Carolina schools, with efforts on increased technology in the classroom and a statewide online school initiative – steps she feels are critical to preparing students to enter the global workforce. Perdue served two terms in the N.C. House of Representatives and five terms in the state Senate, where she became the first woman to chair the Senate Appropriations Committee. She was part of several landmark initiatives, including raising teacher salaries from 43rd to 21st in the nation, starting the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and creating the North Carolina Lottery and the Clean Water Management Trust Fund.
She grew up in the coal-mining mountains of Southwest Virginia and has lived most of her adult life in New Bern. She has worked as a public school teacher and as director of geriatric services at a community hospital in New Bern, and has earned a Ph.D. in education administration.
