NC State to Hold Commencement Ceremony May 13

North Carolina State University will confer degrees on nearly 5,900 graduating students during its spring commencement exercise, beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 13, at the PNC Arena in Raleigh. Media coverage is invited.

During the ceremony, Chancellor Randy Woodson will confer 5,871 degrees – 96 associate’s, 3,845 bachelor’s, 1,652 master’s, 183 doctoral and 95 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees. A total of 161 valedictorians will be recognized for earning perfect 4.0 grade-point averages during their academic careers at NC State. With the 3,442 degrees conferred last December, NC State will award a total of 9,313 degrees in the 2016-17 academic year.

Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane will deliver the commencement address. During the ceremony, Chancellor Randy Woodson will confer honorary degrees on NC State alumnus Philip Freelon, lead architect for the acclaimed National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., and David Christian, professor and director of the Big History Institute for Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia.

NC State officials do not expect major traffic congestion, but they advise attendees to be in their seats by 8:15 a.m. NC State’s Amalgam Brass Ensemble will begin playing at 8:30 a.m., and graduates will march onto the arena floor at 9 a.m. More commencement information is available online, including a schedule of events.

Note to editors: Media seating will be provided near the front of the stage on the left-hand side.

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