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commencement speaker

General Anthony J. Cotton

Apr 14, 2023

Anthony J. Cotton, Military Commander and Alumnus, Will Address 2023 Graduates

NC State will celebrate the class of 2023 during its spring commencement ceremony at PNC Arena on Saturday, May 6 at 9 a.m. Gen. Anthony J. Cotton, the commander at United States Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska and an NC State alumnus, will deliver the commencement address.  During the ceremony, Chancellor Randy Woodson… 

Graduates stand together and embrace each other during the commencement ceremony at PNC Arena.

Nov 14, 2022

USDA Chief Scientist Chavonda Jacobs-Young To Deliver NC State Fall Commencement Address

Three-time NC State alumna Chavonda Jacobs-Young returns to deliver the commencement address to summer and fall graduates. 

Students sing the Alma Mater at commencement

May 4, 2022

NC State to hold Commencement Ceremony Saturday, May 7

North Carolina State University will confer degrees on more than 6,100 graduating students during its spring commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 7 at 9 a.m. in PNC Arena. Media coverage is invited. Credentialed media interested in attending should contact Mary Cole Pike at mcpike@ncsu.edu with any questions. NC State will confer 6,494 degrees during the ceremony,… 

Mohamed Mansour standing in front of his desk in his office.

May 4, 2022

The Hard Times and Good Life of Mohamed Mansour

As an undergraduate in the 1960s, Mohamed Mansour struggled academically and financially. With the help of family, friends and supportive faculty, the young man went on to build one of Egypt's most successful businesses. Mansour shares his story at NC State's spring commencement ceremony. 

Anna Jump, wearing her red graduation cap and gown, stands with her husband outside of Talley Student Union.

May 2, 2022

‘Dare to Dream,’ Student Speaker Tells Fellow Graduates

As the 2022 student commencement speaker, Anna Jump will encourage others to strive toward their goals and reach their dreams. 

Mohamed L Mansour poses for a photo by a desk

Apr 22, 2022

Philanthropist and Entrepreneur Mohamed Mansour to Address Spring 2022 Graduates

An NC State alumnus, Mansour will deliver the commencement address to the class of 2022 on Saturday, May 7.  

The Belltower on a fall afternoon. Photo by Becky Kirkland.

Nov 23, 2021

Industry Leader Mark Templeton to Address Summer and Fall 2021 Graduates

The NC State alumnus and former CEO and director of Citrix Systems will speak to summer and fall 2021 graduates at the Dec. 14 ceremony. 

Russell Wilson scrambles during a football game.

May 12, 2021

Wilson Returns a Winner

At NC State, Russell Wilson honed the athletic skills and commitment to service that would define his extraordinary life. The NFL superstar returns to Carter-Finley this week to speak at commencement. 

Graduates at commencement.

Apr 19, 2021

Russell Wilson to Address Spring 2021 Grads

Prolific Pack passer returns to Carter-Finley Stadium as commencement speaker. 

NC State Graduation Ceremonies. Photo by Becky Kirkland.

Dec 3, 2020

NC State to Hold Virtual Commencement Ceremony Dec. 4

NC State will confer degrees on more than 9,100 graduates from the spring, summer and fall semesters of 2020. 

NC State alumna and astronaut Christina Koch

Nov 19, 2020

NASA Astronaut Christina Koch to Deliver NC State Commencement Address

NASA astronaut and NC State alumna Christina H. Koch is the featured speaker at NC State's first ever virtual commencement. 

NASA astronaut Christina Koch is helped out of the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft.

Nov 19, 2020

Launching the Next Generation

NASA astronaut Christina Koch, a three-time graduate of NC State, knows how to thrive working from home, which she did flawlessly during a record-breaking 328 days in space. She'll share her message of how NC State helped prepare her to become NASA's most accomplished female astronaut on Dec. 4 as the featured speaker at the university's first virtual commencement. 

A graduate student takes a cell phone photo at the commencement ceremony

Dec 18, 2019

NC State to Hold Fall Commencement Ceremony on Thursday

It's tassel turning time for more than 3,500 graduates. 

Students celebrate commencement.

Nov 22, 2019

Roper to Give NC State Winter Commencement Speech

Graduates will hear from the interim president of the UNC System during commencement on Dec. 19. 

A graduating student takes a cell phone picture during commencement.

May 8, 2019

NC State to Hold Commencement Ceremony May 11

It's tassel-turning time for 6,125 NC State graduates.