141st Commencement Exercises

141st Commencement Exercises

North Carolina Central University’s 141st Commencement Exercises will be held in McDougald-McLendon Arena on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at 8 a.m. (baccalaureate) and 2 p.m. (graduate and professional).

Both ceremonies will be streamed on NCCU’s YouTube channel and the university’s website.

Congratulations on your candidacy for graduation! Please check out the graduation checklist and FAQs to help you prepare for a memorable event.

View the commencement program here.

All attendees of the 141st Commencement exercises must adhere to the Department of Athletics’ clear bag policy. All permissible bags will be checked upon entry into the arena. All bags must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and less than 12" x 12"x 6" – exceptions will be made for medical and baby needs. Small wristlets/clutches (less than 4.5" x 6.5" x 1") with or without a strap are permitted.

Baccalaureate Ceremony

Watch the undergraduate ceremony beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 6.

Graduate and Professional Ceremony

Watch the graduate and professional ceremony beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 6.

141st Commencement Exercises: Highlights

The baccalaureate and graduate and professional ceremonies will now take place at the McDougald-McLendon Arena on Saturday, May 6, 2023.

The baccalaureate ceremony will begin at 8 a.m. Graduating students are advised to arrive by 6 a.m. for line-up in the arena.

The graduate and professional ceremony is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. Graduating students are advised to arrive by 12 p.m. for line-up in the arena.

Due to limited seating within the arena, each graduating student will be allocated a certain number of tickets for guests. Baccalaureate degree candidates will receive three (3) tickets, and graduate and professional degree candidates will receive four (4) tickets. Seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. To accommodate larger parties, the following campus locations will be available to additional guests who exceed the ticket limit:

  • New Student Center
  • Nursing Auditorium  
  • Miller-Morgan Auditorium
  • School of Education Auditorium
  • Albert L. Turner School of Law Building

News and Updates

Spring 2023 Honor Cord Delivery and Pick-up Schedule

Spring Commencement Parking Announcement

Parking Map

Note: If you and/or your guest(s) would like to request accommodations for various accessibility needs for the Spring 2023 Commencement Ceremony, please complete the Spring 2023 Commencement Accommodation Registration Form by Sunday, April 23, 2023. Please note that floor seating arrangements are limited and individuals that are receiving accommodations may be placed at a virtual viewing site. Should you have any additional questions or concerns regarding accommodations, please contact the Office of Student Accessibility Services (SAS) by phone at 919-530-6325 or by email at [email protected].

Commencement Speaker

Notable civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump will deliver the keynote address at the institution’s 141st Commencement Exercises on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at McDougald-McLendon Arena.

#NCCU23 Graduate Spotlight

Student Andrew Barber looking at reflection in window

Andrew Barber

Bachelor of Science
Biological and Biomedical Sciences

NCCU wasn’t Andrew Barber’s first choice, but given his family’s strong legacy at the university, he knew that the Eagles would provide him with top-notch resources to help him soar in his endeavors.

Student Victoria Cooper-Johnson with Eagle Pride sign

Victoria Cooper-Thompson

Bachelor of Arts
Mass Communication (Broadcast Media)

With a week left to the grand finale of the NCCU spring semester, mass communication major Victoria Cooper-Thompson has already achieved her goal of becoming a news reporter before earning her degree.

Graduate Netanya Dennis sitting on bench

Netanya Dennis

Bachelor of Science
Chemistry & Psychology

Netanya Dennis will be the first Eagle to begin Yale University’s doctoral program in interdepartmental neuroscience in fall 2023.

Law School graduate Brittany Reaves standing in front of building

Brittany Reaves

Juris Doctor / Master of Arts in History

At the age of 22, Brittany Reaves has made history as being one of the youngest students to ever graduate from the NCCU School of Law, and the first to earn a dual degree from the institution’s joint juris doctor/ Master of Arts in History program.

Law student Asia Skyers standing in NCCU Law Library

Asia Skyers

Juris Doctor
Master of Information Sciences

Asia Skyers has always wanted to be a lawyer, and with good reason, as she had wonderful models in the legal field to look up to, including her father.

Graduate Jesse White standing in front of Farrison-Newton Communications Building

Jesse White

Bachelor of Science
Mass Communication
(Public Relations)

For Jesse White, obtaining his bachelor’s degree was once a dream too good to be true.