Here's the press release from Mars Hill College:

Mars Hill College will confer bachelor’s degrees on an expected fifty-five graduates at winter graduation ceremonies on Friday, December 14, at 5 pm, in Moore Auditorium. The most common majors are education, business and social work.

Keynote speaker for the graduation will be James P. Cain, former U.S. ambassador to Denmark and son of MHC Trustee Lee Cain.

James Cain served as the ambassador to Denmark from July of 2005 until January 2009. As U.S. Ambassador, Cain oversaw the 13 agencies of the American government that comprised the 150-personUS Embassy in Copenhagen, focusing his energies on areas of national security, counter-terrorism, energy, security, and commerce and investment. Prior to his diplomatic service he served as President andChief Operating Officer of the NHL Carolina Hurricanes, as a partner in the international Law Firm of Kilpatrick Stockton (now Kilpatrick Townsend), and as founder and a leader of numerous civicand business enterprises.

Student speakers for the graduation will be Michael Holcombe, a social work major from Mars Hill, NC, and Nanette Marie Wallin, an elementary education major in the Adult and Graduate Studies program from Marshall, NC. The Invocation will be given by Lee Revis, a theatre arts major from Mars Hill, NC.

Special music for the graduation will be provided by the Mars Hill College Department of Music Men’s Quartet, including: Brett Pardue, junior music major from Elkin, NC; Dalton Woody, sophomore music major from Burnsville, NC; Scott Hale, choir assistant; and Dr. Joel Reed, professor of music.

Mars Hill College is a private, liberal arts institution offering over 30 baccalaureate degrees and one graduate degree in elementary education. Founded in 1856 by Baptist families of the region, the campus is located just 20 minutes north of Asheville in the mountains of western North Carolina.www.mhc.edu 1-866-MHC-4-YOU.