Contact: Sammy McDavid
Some 800 Mississippi State students are scheduled to receive degrees Aug. 7 at the conclusion of the university's 1998 summer session.
MSU President Malcolm Portera will deliver the commencement address. Graduation exercises will begin at 10 a.m. in the Newell-Grissom Building.
Portera is a West Point native and Mississippi State alumnus who became the university's 16th chief executive in January. The University of Alabama System's vice president emeritus, he holds bachelor's and master's degrees from MSU and a Ph.D. from Alabama.
Humphrey Coliseum, usually the site of commencement, currently is under renovation. Newell-Grissom, which will be air-conditioned for the Friday ceremonies, is a former arena that has been converted to an athletic training facility.