Commencement 2017

Setting the stage

Cap and gown? Check. Family all set? Check.

Let the good times roll.

Blood, sweat, tears...then smiles

Years of hard work led to a moment that was cherished as much as it was earned.

pomp, circumstance and some sweet threads

Faculty and staff don their Commencement best to usher forth a new class of extraordinary leaders.

guests of honor

Honorary degrees were awarded to Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian (Doctor of Letters); Kathy “Killian” Noe (‘80), founder of Recovery Café in Seattle (Doctor of Divinity); Vivian Howard, PBS celebrity chef and co-owner of the restaurant Chef & the Farmer in Kinston, N.C. (Doctor of Letters); Anil Rai Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director of Havells India Limited (Doctor of Laws); Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative (Doctor of Laws); Dr. Regina Benjamin, former Surgeon General (Doctor of Science); and Dr. John Edward Sexton, President Emeritus, New York University (Doctor of Laws).

historically speaking

Pulitzer Prize-winning author and presidential historian Jon Meacham addresses the class of of 2017.

the moment you've been working for

Students stand with their classmates as their Deans and President Hatch confer their degrees, then the ROTC cadets are sworn in.

walking the walk

The full spectrum of emotion was on display as graduates took the stage to receive their diplomas.

sky's the limit

The Class of 2017 makes it official.

running the gauntlet

Graduates take a that final walk amongst their faculty family.

with them all the way

Graduates celebrate with friends, family and all whose support helped make this moment a reality.