Coastal Carolina University will recognize approximately 375 candidates for graduation during commencement exercises Saturday, Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. Two hundred twenty- nine fall candidates for graduation will be recognized, as well as 146 summer 2000 graduates. The public is welcome to attend.

Richard Koesterer, associate professor of biology at Coastal, will deliver the commencement address.

Koesterer, a Fulbright Scholar in 1991 and 1992, was presented with Coastal's 1999-2000 Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award. The Teacher of the Year Award recognizes faculty who demonstrate excellence in teaching. Koesterer joined the Coastal faculty in 1979 and was coordinator of the interdisciplinary studies degree program for four years and was director of freshman programs for two years.

Koesterer earned a bachelor's degree in 1970 and Ph.D. in 1975 in biology from St. Louis University. Before joining the Coastal faculty, Koesterer was a lecturer in the department of zoology at Kenyatta University College in Nairobi, Kenya from 1975 to 1979.

For more information about commencement, contact the Office of Marketing Communications at 349-2015.