Dr. Veda Pendleton McClain, chair of the Department of Teacher Education at Arkansas State University, will be guest speaker for ASU’s fall commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 14, at 7 that evening in the Convocation Center.

Dr. Les Wyatt, president of ASU, will present diplomas to approximately 820 students at the doctoral, specialist’s, master’s, bachelor’s and associate’s degree level.

Following the ceremony, a reception for all graduates, their families, faculty and staff will be held on the north mezzanine between the blue and green entrances to the building.

A faculty member since 1997, McClain received her bachelor’s degree in English from Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Conn., her master’s degree in reading from the University of Central Arkansas, and her doctor of philosophy degree in reading education from the University of Georgia.

McClain served as assistant professor of reading education until her recent appointment of chair. Prior to her appointment, she also served as project director for the Minority Teacher Scholars program. Her research interests include issues related to the sociocultural nature of reading acquisition and family literacy.

A native of Pine Bluff, she is the daughter of Ms. Jimmie Pendleton. She taught in public schools in Little Rock and at the University of Central Arkansas

She is the recipient of numerous awards and assistantships including the Alpha Upsilon Alpha Honor Society of the International Reading Association award. She is a member of several professional organizations such as the National Reading Research Center Publications Editorial Review Board, Pi Delta Kappa and the Policy and Legislation Committee of the National Reading Conference.

She is the mother of five children.

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