Approximately 1,090 students are eligible to participate in Coastal Carolina University's spring commencement ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 8 in Brooks Stadium. May and August candidates will be recognized in the ceremony.

Ambassador Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, chair of the American Red Cross, is the commencement speaker. She will also receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Public Service.

McElveen-Hunter, the first woman to be selected as chairman in the Red Cross' 126-year history, has led a multifaceted career at the highest levels of public service, international diplomacy and communications. From 2001 to 2003, she was U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Finland. She is also the founder and CEO of Pace Communications, the nation’s largest custom publishing company, ranked by Working Woman Magazine as one of the top 175 women-owned businesses.

As a longtime philanthropist and charitable-cause activist, she has also served as a member of the international board of directors of Habitat for Humanity, chaired the Alexis de Tocqueville Society and served on the United Way of America board as a member of its National Leadership Council. She is a founder of the United Way Billion Dollar National Women’s Leadership Initiative. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from N.C. State University and the Appeal of Conscience Public Service Award.

For the first time during CCU's commencement exercises, the first graduate of the University's Reserve Officers' Training Cadet program will be commissioned. Alex Muse of Florence will receive his commission for the S.C. National Guard Military Police from his father, Col. Charles T. Muse, a retired colonel in the Marine Corps.

In another first, nine graduating seniors will each receive the President's Award for having perfect 4.0 grade point averages.

In case of severe weather, commencement exercises will be held at the Myrtle Beach High School Auditorium, divided into four ceremonies, one for each academic college. For more details and ticket information, visit the website at www.coastal.edu/graduation.

A hotline phone number – 843-349-2079 – has been activated with current graduation information.