The Doctorate of Education degree was conferred upon Fannie L. Ratliff on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009 at Fayetteville State University’s 20th Winter Commencement. Dr. Ratliff majored in educational leadership with an emphasis in curriculum and instruction. Ratliff’s dissertation, “An Investigation of Freshman Academy Principal’s and Counselors’ Perceptions of Implementation Strategies in Selected North Carolina Schools” is significant in providing additional research that will assist educational administrators, policy makers and district leaders in developing effective educational initiatives for freshman academies in order to ease the transition and improve the overall achievement of ninth-grade students. The study will also help school counselors in designing instructional programs and scheduling students enrolled in the academy. Dr. Ratliff was also nominated by Fayetteville State University for her academic excellence for membership into Pi Lamda Theta, one of the oldest and most selective honorary society and professional organizations in education today. Ratliff, the lead counselor for the Anson County School System is the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert (Eugenia) Ratliff of the Blewett Falls area in Lilesville. She is a 1977 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a 1992 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a 1993 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Dr. Ratliff has one daughter, Jessica.