Stephens saw challenges and opportunities in the business world. He helped build the company that his father founded into the largest privately owned business in Alabama and one of the top privately owned companies in the United States. The son of the late Elton B. Stephens, James Stephens was born on April 14, , in Birmingham.
Stephens succeeded his father as president of EBSCO eight years after beginning his career with the company. Stephens relinquished the title of president in but remains involved with the company as chairman.
He is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, which is presented to individuals who provide extraordinary service in their professions and to their communities for a period of at least 25 years after earning the rank of Eagle Scout. Stephens is married to Julia McDonald Stephens. The Academic Procession The processional signifies the beginning of the commencement ceremony. The Commencement Marshal presides over the Academic Procession; leads the platform party to the stage; escorts the honorary degree candidate and the special recognition recipients to the presidential podium for honorary degree conferral or special recognition citation reading; and signifies the closing of the ceremony by leading the platform party from the stage.
The Commencement Marshal is the bearer of the ceremonial mace. As the processional music begins, the procession led by the candidates, followed by faculty, then the platform party, will enter the arena floor and go to their designated seating.
The audience should rise once the processional music has begun and remain until after the invocation.
