CULLOWHEE — Western Carolina University will bestow a posthumous honorary doctorate upon a former chairman of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors as WCU holds fall commencement exercises at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Ramsey Regional Activity Center.

An honorary doctorate of letters will be awarded to the late Benjamin S. Ruffin, a Durham native who was appointed to the Board of Governors in 1991. Ruffin became the first African-American to lead the UNC system’s governing body when he was elected its chairman in 1998. Considered to be a powerful advocate for higher education in the state, Ruffin was serving as chair emeritus of the board when he died in 2006.

The primary commencement address will be delivered by Cara Elizabeth Ward, a theater and art major from Sylva. Ward enrolled at WCU in fall 2002, but left the university in fall 2005 to serve 11 months with the Army Reserves in Iraq. She returned to her studies at WCU this fall.

Commencement is open to everyone and no tickets are required for admission. Approximately 560 students are candidates for undergraduate and graduate degrees, pending final examinations and review.

WCU Chancellor John W. Bardo will preside over commencement and deliver the charge to the degree candidates.