Sol Schulman, a Sylva businessman who established himself as a legend in entrepreneurship, public service and philanthropy during a career spanning almost seven decades, will be awarded an honorary doctorate when Western Carolina University holds fall commencement exercises Saturday, Dec. 14.

Commencement will begin at 2 p.m. in Ramsey Regional Activity Center. The ceremony is open to everyone and no tickets are required for admission. About 400 students are candidates for undergraduate and graduate degrees, pending final examinations and review.

Schulman was 19 years old when he opened his retail store in Sylva. It was 1933, the midst of the Great Depression, and many predicted his business would fail. Instead, Schulman’s Department Store became a Main Street landmark, operating in the same building for almost 70 years, until Schulman retired earlier this year at age 90.

Over the years, Schulman also has become an icon of public service and philanthropy. He served in numerous leadership roles with local organizations, including two terms on the Sylva Town Board after age 80. Schulman is a long-time patron of Western, providing funding for student computers and scholarships. Schulman Street in Sylva is named in his honor.

WCU junior Javier A.P. Arvelo-Cruz-Santana will deliver the commencement address. He will carry on a tradition begun in 1996 when the university added fall commencement to its schedule of spring and summer ceremonies. Each fall, the WCU Honors College sponsors an essay contest, which is open to all students. The author of the winning essay earns the honor of delivering that composition as the primary address at the December commencement.

Arvelo-Cruz-Santana, a native of Puerto Rico and currently a resident of Newton Grove, is majoring in English at Western, with a concentration in professional writing. During the last year, he co-founded and is now president of a new student organization, The Student Congress for the Advancement of Humanitarian Work, and he also serves on many campus committees and as a Student Government Association senator.

Chancellor John W. Bardo will preside over commencement and deliver the charge to the graduates. Richard J. Collings, vice chancellor for academic affairs, will preside over the presentation of degrees.

A required rehearsal for the graduates will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. the day of commencement in the main arena of the Ramsey Center. Graduating students will line up for the processional at 1:15 p.m. in the auxiliary gymnasium on the lower level, west side of the Ramsey Center. The processional will begin at 2 p.m.

Receptions for graduates and their families and friends will be held in the Ramsey Center following commencement. Receptions for undergraduate students (recipients of bachelor’s degrees) will be held on the Ramsey Center concourse in a designated area for each college, while a reception for graduate students (master’s and doctoral degrees) will be held in the Ramsey auxiliary gymnasium.

Spectators should enter the Ramsey Center through one of four upper concourse doors. Those with physical disabilities should use the northeastern upper entrance, adjacent to the stands of E.J. Whitmire Stadium.

There will be no access to the arena floor during the awarding of diplomas. A commercial photographer will photograph each graduate as the diploma is awarded, and will be available to take pictures after the ceremony.

Faculty marshals for the commencement exercises are Julie Smaglik Temple (chief), David Luginbuhl (vice chief), Karena Cooper-Duffy, B.J. Dunlap and Gibbs Knotts.

Student marshals are Emily Adams, Tabitha Alston, Andrea Breedlove, Camille Casses, Dana Caudill, Tiffany Collyer, Mandy Dietz, Amanda Farmer, Elle Ghomizadeh, Bethany Lawyer, Renee Lawyer, Yasmin Morton, Shauna Queen, Ronald Royal, Samantha Saunders, Marketta Stanley, Amanda Thompson and Katie Williams.