Durham -- Durham Technical Community College reached for the moon and landed one of the rising stars in North Carolina higher education to serve as its commencement speaker May 20.

College officials announced Thursday that Scott Ralls, president of the North Carolina Community College System, will serve as the college's commencement speaker, which will be held at the Durham Performing Arts Center in downtown Durham.

Durham Tech officials had made overtures to President Barack Obama, inviting him to Durham to speak at the graduation. But officials said Thursday the president's schedule wouldn't permit him to attend the school's commencement.

"We at Durham Tech always believe in possibility," said Wanda Maggart, senior vice president of institutional advancement. "We will continue to hope that one day we will have President Obama as our commencement speaker."

Ralls, 45, became the seventh president over the 58-campus community college system in April 2008. He succeeded H. Martin Lancaster to become the youngest person to hold the post.

Before becoming the president of the NCCCS, Ralls served as president of Craven Community College in eastern North Carolina. Before that, he was vice president for economic and workforce development and director of economic development of the N.C. Community College System. Ralls also served as a director at the N.C. Department of Commerce.

Maggart said Ralls' stint as a community college president gives him a unique perspective and a greater understanding of the challenges students in the state's community colleges face.

"He speaks directly from the heart and he understands the community college mission," Maggart said. "That's very compelling."

Maggart also noted the move from Duke University's Cameron Indoor Stadium to the new DPAC.

"We're thrilled our commencement will be held in the Durham Performance Arts Center," Maggart said. "It's a beautiful location, and we will be given white glove and top hat treatment."

For many students and others attending the graduation, Wednesday night will be their first time seeing the new performing arts center, Maggart said.

"I think people will be delighted," she said. "Hopefully, they'll be inspired to go back for a performance."

A native of Charlotte, Ralls holds a bachelor's of science degree with highest distinction from UNC Chapel Hill. He also holds master's and doctoral degrees in industrial and organizational psychology from the University of Maryland where his research focused on technology implementation, workforce training and issues affecting older workers.