ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – On May 4, 2024, North Carolina Wesleyan University will celebrate its Spring Commencement with more than 300 graduates. This year’s commencement speaker will be Dr. Kara Renai King who is the Vice President and Site Lead for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals– Rocky Mount facility.
As Vice President and Site Lead for Pfizer, Dr. King is responsible for one of the largest sterile injectable facilities in the world, with more than 1.4 million square feet of manufacturing space on 250 acres in Eastern North Carolina. Nearly 25 percent of Pfizer’s sterile injectables used in U.S. hospitals are produced at the site. A wide range of products are produced at Rocky Mount, including anesthesia, analgesia, therapeutics, anti-infectives and neuromuscular blockers. These products are available in small volume presentations, such as ampules, vials and syringes. More than 200 million units are processed at the Rocky Mount site annually to help treat patients around the world.
Dr. King holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Hampton University, a Masters’s degree in Cell Biology & Biotechnology from University of the Sciences, and a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Eastern University.
Dr. King is recognized as an expert on leadership who has extensive experience in the biopharmaceutical industry in both traditional and contract development manufacturing organizations. Her experience ranges from early drug product development to commercial operations. She has held leadership roles in Quality, Tech Ops and Drug Product Operations (from bulk product manufacturing to finishing). She joined Pfizer in 2021 following successful leadership roles with Minaris Regenerative Medicine and Merck.
Dr. King delivers value to organizations through her servant leadership style complimented by her strong foundation in science, strategic mindset, and the ability to create an environment that fosters joy, creativity and innovation. Hallmarks of her leadership are building high performing teams, elevating leadership capability, and delivering results.
“We are looking forward to Dr. King’s address to our Class of 2024. Under her leadership, Pfizer and NCWU have forged a strong partnership that provides extraordinary opportunities to Wesleyan’s students and graduates, and that partnership was made stronger by our shared efforts to overcome the devastation of last summer’s tornado. Dr. King’s approach to leadership and strategic vision will provide an inspiring example to our graduates,” stated President Dr. Evan D. Duff.
“I’m humbled and excited to stand before the talent of the future from NC Wesleyan University at this year’s 2024 Commencement,” noted Dr. King.
Dr. King has long demonstrated engagement in and solicitude for the community in which she lives and works. She utilizes her skills, experience and resources to invest in the local community and help others achieve their dreams. Among her many community service activities, Dr. King sits on the boards of Eastern University and the International Leadership Association (ILA), and she serves as the Treasurer for Silver Lining Sports.
Alum Keynote Speaker at Wesleyan Graduation
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan University will hold its Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at 10 a.m. at the Rocky Mount Event Center located at 285 NE Main Street, Rocky Mount. Graduates must arrive by 8:30 a.m. dressed in cap and gown to check in.This week, Wesleyan announced its 2019 commencement speaker will be Tony Stroud, 1983 alumnus of Wesleyan and founder of Stroud & Company, a Wilmington, NC accounting firm.
Stroud’s career began after graduating from North Carolina Wesleyan University with a degree in English. He then went on to complete the CPA candidacy program at UNC Wilmington before founding his company in 1993. As a trusted financial advisor in the Wilmington area, he works closely with individual and corporate clients, providing accounting and tax planning, as well as representing clients in tax controversy situations. Stroud is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants.
“We are proud to have an accomplished alumnus return as this year’s commencement speaker,” stated North Carolina Wesleyan President, Dr. Dewey Clark. “It’s always refreshing to hear about our graduates going out and charting their own course, just as Tony has done with his company.”
When Stroud is not busy running his office, he spends time volunteering at local non-profits including the Harrelson Center, Wilmington Fire Fighters and She Rocks. A passion of his is traveling, especially touring Sports Illustrated’s Top 10 Sports venues of the 20th Century, of which he has visited eight. The 2019 commencement ceremony will be held outside and is open to the public, pending good weather. In the event of inclement weather, graduation will be moved inside at the Rocky Mount Event Center.
