Retired News and Observer publisher and former Peace trustee Orage Quarles III will deliver the 2026 commencement address for William Peace University. The commencement ceremony will take place on Peace’s campus Saturday, May 9, at 9:30 a.m.
A national leader in the publishing industry, Quarles guided The News and Observer for 16 years and has served on numerous local and national boards, including as a member of Peace’s Board of Trustees from 2001-07.
President Lynn Morton said Quarles is an ideal person to address Peace graduates at this pivotal point in their lives.
“Orage Quarles embodies the values we strive to instill in our graduates — ethical citizenship, a strong commitment to service, and the courage to create meaningful change. We are so honored to welcome him as our commencement speaker,” she said.
A Career With Lasting Impact
Prior to heading up The News & Observer, Quarles was publisher of The Coloradoan, The Stockton Record, The Rock Hill Herald, and The Modesto Bee. A longtime community leader in the city of Raleigh, he has served as the Interim President of the Downtown Raleigh Alliance and is the Chair Emeritus for Dix Park Conservancy in addition to serving as Vice Chair for the Foundation Board of the NC Museum of History. He has also been a board member of UNC Rex Hospital, the John Rex Foundation, City Club, and the UNC School of Journalism Foundation.
On the national level, Quarles chaired the Newspaper Association of America, was a board member of the Associated Press, and is a cofounder of the Journalism Funding Partners.
His many honors include being named the Gannett Publisher of the Year as well as the Editor & Publisher National Publisher of the Year. He has been inducted into the National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame, the UNC Journalism Hall of Fame, and received the Chamber of Commerce A.E. Finley Distinguished Service Award.
He attended San Bernardino Valley College and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by Fayetteville State University in 2003.
Quarles said it is “… an honor and a humbling experience to be asked to be the Commencement speaker for William Peace University.”
He looks forward to encouraging graduates to reflect on the hard work, dedication, support, and good fortune that helped them reach this milestone.
For more information and updates on the ceremony, visit the commencement website.
