A Coca-Cola executive will deliver the Fall Convocation speech at Livingstone College today.
Kelly Fladger, vice president of human resources and chief diversity officer for Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc., will speak at the convocation, which begins at 10 a.m. in Varick Auditorium.
Fall Convocation is held annually to celebrate the beginning of a new academic year that’s filled with much promise and hope. It also serves as a rite of passage for freshmen, who participate in a special candlelight service during the event. It’s not unusual for Livingstone alumni and former members of the college’s Board of Trustees to attend the ceremony.
Last year’s Fall Convocation speaker was actress Kim Fields, famous for her role as Tootie on the hit NBC sitcom “The Facts of Life.” Fields is presently the lead director on hit filmmaker Tyler Perry’s “House of Payne” and “Meet The Browns,” which air on TBS.
Fladger is responsible for the development, alignment and execution of people strategies for each of the global functions through partnership with the functional leaders and HR Centers of Expertise. He is also accountable for developing and delivering the strategic execution of Coca-Cola Enterprises’ Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
He’s a member of Coca-Cola Enterprises’ Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability committee and has led discussions and participated in key events for various companies, including Home Depot, Harland and Co., Coca-Cola Refreshments and National Diversity Council.
Fladger, who has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from The Citadel, was the recipient of the 2011 National Diversity Council Multicultural Leadership Award. He is active in his community and often speaks at Success Looks Like Me and Saving Our Boys, two organizations developed to inspire underprivileged, at-risk youth.