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In the days leading up to the University’s Doctoral Hooding ceremony and main Commencement at Kenan Stadium, Chancellor Carol L. Folt and University leaders are celebrating with the soon-to-be graduates at smaller graduations hosted by campus groups.

The graduation celebrations began May 5 with the Carolina Grad Student F1RSTS — a program for graduate students who are the first in their families to earn a master’s or doctoral degree.

“It is a milestone, and it’s really fun for us to get to celebrate that,” Folt said. “Let’s put an exclamation point on these wonderful accomplishments.”

Folt then joined more than a dozen Carolina student-athletes at the Blue Zone on May 7. The ceremony celebrated the graduating students who would be away from Chapel Hill for competition during the larger commencement. Folt told the student-athletes that the same set of traits they bring to their sports are also the same that help them excel in the classroom.

”I think part of your athletic performance has played a huge part in who you are in your academic performance,” she said.

Also on May 7, the LGBTQ Center held it’s 12th annual Lavender Graduation, which honored sexuality studies minors, graduating LGBTQ-identified students and their allies. During the event, Folt thanked the 35 graduates for their courage and effort in creating change at Carolina.

“I can’t feel anything but hope when I look out at all of you because you are the faces of the future,” she said. “You are the fresh ideas, you’re the personalities, you’re the humor, you’re inventions, you’re the discoveries, you’re the people that are going to change the way that we treat each other and the ones who are going to help push us forward in all fields of human endeavor.”

On May 10, Folt joined the American Indian Center in celebrating American Indian students and students graduating with a degree in American Indian and Indigenous studies. The 11 graduates were presented with pottery turtles during the ceremony.

Through sharing their culture with the campus community, Folt said, the graduates helped make the University more inclusive.

“You’ve made Carolina a home for everyone and that is a very special thing to be able to say,” she said. “Know that you’ve left your mark here.”

Carolina graduate and founder of imaginED Partners Priscilla Maynor delivered the commencement address, challenging the graduates to take set high goals and take the risks necessary to reach them.

Graduates who support and promote Latino communities on campus were recognized at Carolina Latina/o Collaborative’s Éxitos graduation on May 11. The 30 graduating seniors were presented with gold chords and a special stole to wear at commencement.

“This is a remarkable milestone in your lives,” Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Winston Crisp told the graduates. “This is not an easy path that you have chosen for yourself — not choosing the education route and certainty not going to this place. You’ve had to overcome many things to get here today.”

Antonio Serrato, a doctoral student in the biology department, was the event’s keynote speaker. A first-generation college student who immigrated to the United States from Mexico as a 15-year-old, Serrato shared his path that led to Carolina and encouraged the graduates to follow their passions.

On May 12, Carolina’s graduating veterans, reservists, National Guard members and future commissioned officers were honored at the Red, White and Carolina Blue Graduation Ceremony. Air Force ROTC Cadet Alejandra Fontalvo and Army veteran Ian Wright served as the event’s student speakers.

Held at the Great Hall of the Student Union, the graduates were presented with a challenge coin and their Military Honor Cords either by Folt or their family members.

The graduating veterans and ROTC members, Folt said, have been crucial to creating more services and programs for veterans and service members on campus.

“You’ve left your mark here at UNC,” she said. “…We want to thank you for all that you’ve done. Congratulations on your achievements and your commissioning. We’re proud of you and we are proud of what you are doing for our nation.”

Published May 8, 2017. Updated May 12, 2017.
By Brandon Bieltz, University Communications