West Liberty University will hold its Spring 2013 Commencement Ceremony at 11 a.m., on Saturday, May 11, in the Academic, Sports and Recreation Complex (ASRC). A total of 337 students are expected to complete graduation requirements during the spring semester, making it the largest graduating class since the 1980s.

Commencement Speaker Alumnus Les DeFelice.

Alumnus and successful businessman Les DeFelice, will be the Commencement speaker. DeFelice earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in business administration at WLU and is now the owner of several businesses including, DeFeliceCare and Visiting Angels.

He also serves as chairman of the WLU Foundation Board and is a member of the Investment Committee and is chair of the executive committee for the WLU Small and Family Business Program. He is a 2005 recipient of The State Journal’s Who’s Who in West Virginia Business Award and a resident of Dillonvale, Ohio.

WLU also will present an honorary degree to Eileen Reinbold of Tennessee. She attended West Liberty University and now works in the field of graphic design. She remains highly supportive of WLU and serves on its College of Arts and Communication Advisory Board. She and her husband Tom, an alumnus, are major benefactors of the University.

Joshua P. Smith, Davis, W.Va, will be the student speaker and will share his viewpoint on commencement with his fellow graduates. A graduate of the College of Business, Smith earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average. West Liberty University honors its top academic students with the speaking duty annually by rotating the duty among its colleges. Since the College of Business had two top students this year, both with 4.0s, there was a tie and a coin toss was used to select the final name of the speaker. The other perfect 4.0 College of Business graduate is Emily Schimp.

Commencement Speaker  & Graduate Josh Smith.

Graduating students with the highest grade point average in each respective college are honored with the duty of carrying their college banner.

The following graduates will serve as banner carriers:

• College of Arts & Communication, Anna L. Patrick, Davis, W.Va., Kassidy G. Wells, Wellsburg, W.Va.
• College of Business, Emily P. Shimp, Roan, W.Va.
• College of Education, Molly E. Dennison, Pine Grove, W.Va., Brittany M. Loy, New Martinsville, W.Va.
• College of Liberal Arts, Elizabeth V. Francis, Wheeling
• College of Sciences, Shayla J. Scollick, Moundsville, W.Va., Leigh A. Stephens, Wheeling
• School of Professional Studies, Mary V. Clark, Pickerington, Ohio

The Commencement Ceremony will be televised live on WLU Television Comcast Channel 14.  A video of the ceremony will be provided to graduates with their diplomas.

The Commencement Ceremony is expected to last approximately two hours. Doors will open for seating at 9:30 a.m. and tickets are not required. Parking will be available for guests behind the ASRC. A reception for graduates, guests and families will be held in the College Union immediately following the ceremony.

For more information, please visit westliberty.edu or call 866.WESTLIB.