TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – James T. Stephens, chairman of EBSCO Industries Inc., will give the commencement address at The University of Alabama’s spring commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 12 at Coleman Coliseum on the UA campus.

Two University-wide commencement ceremonies will be held this year, at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively, to award degrees. Doctoral recipients, Education Specialists, and Master degree candidates participate with their divisions. Stephens, who will also receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters, will speak at both ceremonies.

At the 9 a.m. ceremony, the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Human Environmental Sciences, and the School of Social Work will award their degrees. At 1 p.m., degrees will be conferred in the Colleges of Education, Nursing, Communication & Information Sciences, and Commerce and Business Administration.

Stephens relinquished the title of president in 2005 but remains involved with the company as chairman. Under his leadership, EBSCO has become a widely diversified sales, marketing, and manufacturing corporation. Among its subsidiaries is EBSCO Information Services, the world’s largest subscription agency that serves libraries; EBSCO Publishing, the country’s major education supplier of journal-article databases; and PRADCO, the largest manufacturer of fishing lures in the United States.

The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is in the midst of planned, steady enrollment growth with a goal of reaching 28,000 students by 2010. This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state's economy, is in keeping with UA's vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students. UA, the state's flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.