Proud grads in cap and gowns walk across the stage this weekend at commencement ceremonies around the state. There will be tender moments between family and friends, but there may also be some travel woes with record numbers of passengers expected at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Graduates and their many supporters are encouraged to factor in airport delays, traffic and parking congestion when heading out to the big event.
UNC-Charlotte:
UNC-Charlotte is holding three graduation ceremonies across a two-day period this weeked. Art and architecture, business, health and human services grads will be honored at 5 p.m. Friday, May 10. Computing and informatics, education, engineering ceremonies will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 11. Liberal arts and sciences students walk across the stage later that day at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 11. The school requires guests to purchase tickets for the events, which all take place on campus at Halton Arena.
UNC-Greensboro:
Commencement takes place at 10 a.m. Friday, May 10 at the Greensboro Coliseum. Greensboro-native, actor and producer Ken Jeong of "The Hangover" and "Community" fame will deliver the keynote address.
Durham Technical Community College:
Durham Tech's commencement exercise will be 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 14 at the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC). Robyn Tomlin, the first regional McClatchy editor for the Carolinas and a graduate of Durham Tech, will present this year's commencement address.
High Point University:
High Point hosts its ceremony starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 11. The school has recruited theoretical physicist and futurist Dr. Michio Kaku for this year's commencement address.
NC A&T:
A&T holds spring commencement on Saturday, May 11, at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex. Undergraduates ceremonies start at 8:30 a.m. The school's 2019 keynote speaker is Willie A. Deese, an alum and retired president of the global Merck pharmaceutical firm’s Manufacturing Division.
NC Central University:
Graduate ceremonies take place at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 11. The commencement speaker for the undergrate event is reknowned social justic advocate Rev. Dr. William Barber, an NCCU alumnus.
North Carolina State:
The university’s commencement starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 11, at the PNC Arena in Raleigh. Virginia M. (Ginni) Rometty, CEO of IBM, is scheduled to deliver the address.
Meredith College:
The graduation ceremony for Meredith College takes place at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 11 in Reynolds Coliseum on the campus of North Carolina State University in Raleigh.
Shaw University:
Shaw University class of 2019 will be celebrated at the Red Hat Amphitheater at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 11. Everette Taylor, a serial entrepreneur and marketing executive, will share his wisdom with the outgoing students.
UNC-Chapel Hill:
Tar Heel grads will fill Kenan Memorial Stadium at 9 a.m. Sunday, May 12 for their commencement exercise. Habitat for Humanity CEO Jonathan T.M. Reckford delivers the spring commencement address.
Duke University:
Duke's commencement exercise will be held at 9 a.m. Sunday, May 12 at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium. Former WNBA president Lisa Borders will deliver Duke University’s address with a focus on her message of creating “safe, fair and dignified workplaces for women of all kinds.”
Wake Forest University:
Wake Forest University’s commencement is at 9 a.m. Monday, May 20 at Hearn Plaza. Frederick J. Ryan Jr., publisher and chief executive officer of The Washington Post, will deliver the keynote.
Elon University:
Elon’s undergraduate cmmencement is scheduled for 8:45 a.m. Friday, May 24. The baccalaureate address will be delivered by Rev. Jennifer Bailey, an ordained minister, theologian and founder of the Faith Matters Network.
