By Laura Ashley Lamm, '06

North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Beverly Perdue will give Meredith College's commencement address on Sunday, May 14, at 10 a.m. in McIver Amphitheater.

The selection process for a commencement speaker begins during the summer and is conducted by the senior class president and executive board. After brainstorming and selecting their choices for speakers, senior class leaders hold a meeting with Meredith President Maureen Hartford to discuss candidates. A formal invitation is then extended to the speaker of choice.

"I think Perdue is a good choice for a graduation speaker because she is very familiar with and passionate about Meredith, in addition to her impressive leadership abilities and skills," said Senior Class President Erin Rains.

Perdue was elected lieutenant governor in 2000 and made North Carolina history by being the first female to serve in this role. Before becoming the state's second highest elected official, Perdue spent five terms in the North Carolina Senate and two terms in the North Carolina House.

"We [the Class of 2006 Executive Board] think Lt. Governor Perdue will have an inspirational message for the graduates and that her love for Meredith College will mirror our own feelings for our, almost, alma mater," Rains added.

Senior Brooke Tonkin said, "Lt. Governor Perdue is a strong female leader for the State of North Carolina. Her accomplishments encourage the graduating class of 2006 to set our sights high."

A former public school teacher and director of geriatrics at a community hospital, Perdue has used her experiences to help her become an advocate for North Carolina citizens. She uses her time to focus on economic development, health care, education, rural development and technology.

"Meredith College teaches all students to excel and value academics and leadership. Lt. Governor Perdue reflects these values through the accomplishment of becoming the first female lieutenant governor for North Carolina," said Tonkin. "She set her standards high and worked hard to reach her goal."

Rains said that when hearing Perdue speak at commencement "graduates will gain an inspiring message from a confident leader and successful woman who has overcome many boundaries to become the leader she is today."

Tonkin added, "Graduation is a time of change and new beginnings for our class. Perdue has a variety of experiences to share with the graduates to help them feel more secure about embracing the changes ahead."

Perdue received her bachelor's degree from the University of Kentucky and her master's and doctoral degree from the University of Florida. She is married to Robert W. Eaves, Jr., who currently serves on the Meredith College Board of Trustees. 

For more information on Meredith's Spring Commencement, visit www.meredith.edu/commencement.