Tuesday, April 28, 2009

During the 77^th* University of North Carolina Wilmington commencement exercises, 1,573 undergraduate and 241 graduate students are projected to receive degrees. Kristen Hardy will receive a Ph.D. in biology.

Four ceremonies will be held over two days for the first time in the history of UNC Wilmington:

• 2:30 p.m. Friday, May 8 - Cameron School of Business

• 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 8 - School of Nursing/Watson School of Education

• 10 a.m. Saturday, May 9 - Sciences, Arts and Humanities in the College of Arts and Sciences

• 1 p.m. Saturday, May 9 - Social Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences

All ceremonies will be held in Trask Coliseum. Guests do not need tickets to attend any of the commencement ceremonies. Commencement set up will begin 9 a.m. on Monday, May 4 and rehearsal will begin 10 a.m. Thursday, May 7. Media are invited to cover all ceremonies, including live coverage by request.

The public is advised to avoid university entrances, as surrounding traffic will be heavy. Parking for commencement will be limited. Visitors will park in lots A, K and Eaton Plaza. These lots will be closed to faculty, staff and students May 8 and 9.

More than 150 UNCW staff members are signed up to help with this year's ceremonies. Frances Carr, who began volunteering for commencement more than 20 years ago, said, "It is an honor to be a part of such a big step in the students' lives. This is really what the university is all about."

For more information on graduation, including times and locations for departmental receptions, go to www.uncw.edu/commencement.

*Number includes fall and spring commencements.

Media are invited to take advantage of interviews with commencement volunteers and participants upon request.

Media Contact:
Joy Davis, Marketing and Communications, 910.916.8603 or davisjc@uncw.edu