ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times

DATE: Saturday, December 16, 1995            TAG: 9512180053
SECTION: CURRENT                  PAGE: NRV-11 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG

OVER 1,000 TO GET DEGREES AT TECH

In Virginia Tech's largest fall commencement since the ceremony began four years ago, more than 1,000 students are expected graduate today at Cassell Coliseum.

Friday, about 400 graduate and doctoral students attended a separate ceremony in Burruss Auditorium.

University spokesman Larry Hincker said the ceremonies were split this year because of the high number of graduates who want to attend the ceremony. Last year's fall commencement filled the 10,000-seat coliseum.

A student government selection committee nominated James "Bud" Robertson, Jr., to give the commencement address.

Robertson, a professor of history who teaches an average of 300 students in the largest Civil War history class in the United States, has won every major award in the field of Civil War history.

Anne McNabb, a professor of biology, spoke at the graduate program Friday.

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