2019 Commencement: A time to remember, a time to celebrate

For the roughly 4,800 students who could participate in UNC Charlotte’s 2019 Commencement, graduation takes on special meaning, given what transpired on campus April 30.

“Members of the Class of 2019 and, indeed, the entire campus community will be forever changed by what occurred last week,” said Chancellor Philip L. Dubois. “By supporting each other and embracing the huge outpouring of support from around the country, we will emerge stronger. At the end of this week, we will celebrate the academic achievements of this year’s graduates, commending them for their accomplishments as they embark on their next journey.”

Three Commencement ceremonies will be held to confer degrees upon 3,530 undergraduate and 1,250 graduate students.

The Friday, May 10, ceremony is now scheduled for 5 p.m. due to changes to the University’s final exam schedule. Graduates of the Belk College of Business, College of Arts + Architecture, College of Health and Human Services and the Graduate School will receive their degrees.

On Saturday, May 11, at 10 a.m., the Cato College of Education, College of Computing and Informatics, the William States Lee College of Engineering and the Graduate School will award degrees; the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences—the University’s largest college—and the Graduate School will confer degrees at 4 p.m. (Note, this is a change from previous reports.)

All three ceremonies will be in Halton Arena, located in the Barnhardt Student Activity Center. University officials note that additional security will be deployed during Commencement; attendees should plan to arrive early to pass through metal detectors. No large bags, umbrellas, banners or balloons will be allowed in the arena.

The University’s Doctoral Hooding Ceremony will be held Thursday, May 9. During this event, scheduled for 3 p.m. in Cone University Center, doctoral candidates will be hooded (part of the formal academic regalia) from the dean of the Graduate School and the students’ academic advisors. Doctoral students are eligible to participate in the Commencement ceremony for their respective colleges. Due to limited seating, tickets are required for attendance.

Information on parking is on the web. Commencement ceremonies also will be streamed live; click here for more information.