A nationally recognized West Virginia University professor who has mentored countless students, including Mountaineer standouts Steve Slaton and Pat White, will be WVU s December Convocation speaker.

WVU speech pathology professor Carolyn Peluso Atkins will address graduates at the ceremony set for 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at the WVU Coliseum.

More than 1,200 students will complete their degrees in December. The ceremony will honor winter graduates and provide them with an opportunity to walk across the stage and receive a congratulatory letter from WVU President Mike Garrison.

Atkins was recognized as the 2005 West Virginia Professor of the Year by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. She is one of 16 WVU professors to receive the honor.

She also has been honored as an Outstanding Teacher by the WVU Foundation, the College of Human Resources and Education and Golden Key International Honour Society.

Atkins is most recognized as the creator ofStudent Athletes Speak Out,a service-based program that prepares WVU student-athletes for public speaking through development of communication skills and self-confidence.

She received several degrees from WVU including a bachelors and masters in rhetoric and public address, a masters in speech pathology and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction.

Information for graduates and guests

• Graduates will wear traditional caps and gowns. These items are available for purchase at the WVU Bookstore, 304-293-7467.

• The ceremony is not a degree-conferring event. Diplomas for the graduates will be issued in January once final grades are confirmed. Graduates are also invited to participate during the May Commencement ceremonies.

• WVU students who are expecting to graduate at the end of the semester and are interested in participating in the ceremony should register online by Wednesday, Dec. 5, at http://www.wvu.edu/dec_convocation/registration.htm.

• Degree candidates should report to the upper level lobby of the Coliseum, above the Red Gate, no later than 12:30 p.m.

• During the ceremony, University photographers will be taking photos of graduates as they shake hands with Garrison. Beginning Dec. 10, graduates can visit the WVU Photographic Services Web site (http://photos.wvu.edu) to download one image at no cost and purchase additional images from the photo gallery.

• Free parking for graduates and their guests will be provided at most University parking lots and garages, including the WVU Coliseum, after 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7.

• The Personal Rapid Transit, or PRT , will run from 6:30 a.m.-10:15 p.m., Friday, Dec. 7; 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 8; and 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 9.

• Guests needing disability-related accommodations for the ceremony are asked to call the Office of Disability Services at 304-293-6700 or visithttp://www.wvu.edu/~socjust/disability/index.htm.

• December graduates are invited to share their stories, memories and aspirations as they prepare for life after graduation by participating in discussions posted on two University Web sites:http://whatwillyoustart.wvu.eduandhttp://cominghome.wvu.edu.

For more information, visithttp://www.wvu.edu/dec_convocation.