Special Edition – Summer Commencement

August 6, 2025

Categories: Niner Insider

Editor’s Note: Summer Commencement is here! During the ceremony Saturday, Aug. 9, UNC Charlotte will confer more than 1,000 degrees and certificates. Read more about the graduates and the ceremony in this special edition.

Charlotte Readies for First Summer Commencement

UNC Charlotte will hold its inaugural Summer Commencement for 2025 graduates, Saturday, Aug. 9, in Dale F. Halton Arena. Review important commencement reminders and parking and transportation information.

graduate spotlights

Student in green university polo stands confidently on a brick pathway lined with trees. — **Belk College of Business:** Abby Gordon graduates with confidence, connections and knowledge built through work and school.

**Cato College of Education:** Thai Ray Williams, a 32-year classroom teacher, begins a new chapter after earning a Ph.D. in special education.

**College of Arts + Architecture:** Following her former teacher’s footsteps, Niya Kerr completes a dance degree and is teaching future generations.

**College of Computing and Informatics:** Yash Tadimalla tackles AI’s biggest questions through an interdisciplinary Ph.D. program.

**College of Health and Human Services:** Anna Shimota turns exercise science into a stepping stone for her next move.

Skylar Tirotta and her son — **College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences:** Skylar Tirotta sets an example for her son by earning a bachelor’s degree.

**Klein College of Science:** Ean Bass, son of a race car engineer, earns degrees for the science side of motorsports.

**William States Lee College of Engineering:** Davey Sides discovers his future in facilities engineering with support from faculty and his grandmother.

Meet the Summer Commencement Bell Ringer

Pennda Arami, who will graduate with dual master’s degrees — in criminal justice and criminology as well as ethics and applied philosophy — was chosen as the bell ringer for UNC Charlotte’s first 2025 Summer Commencement. Get to know this remarkable Niner.

Summer Commencement Distinguished Faculty Marshal Susan K. Michael

Susan K. Michael, senior lecturer of chemistry, is University marshal for the inaugural Summer Commencement. A full-time teacher at Charlotte for 27 years, she estimates educating more than 10,000 students in introductory lectures and labs. Michael comes to each class prepared to present material in as many ways and contexts she can think of to accommodate the multiple learning styles that exist among her students.

Commencement Reminders

Know where to park during commencement and the changes for parking and transportation over the weekend.
Graduating students are required to have a UNC Charlotte student ID card or mobile ID to enter the graduate area. If you do not have a valid UNC Charlotte ID card, follow the instructions on how to download a mobile ID.
A clear bag policy will be enforced at Halton Arena for graduates, visitors and volunteers. Diaper bags will be permitted.
The following items will not be permitted in Halton Arena: banners, flags and signs of any shape and size; noisemakers, balloons, umbrellas and sashes/stoles worn by graduating students that exceed six inches in width.