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Commencement Ceremony
10 a.m., Saturday, December 19
Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
Location: Commencement will be held at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in Downtown Asheville.
Tickets: Tickets are not required.
Seating for the Public: Seating begins at 8:30 a.m.
Keynote Speaker: To be announced.
Length of Ceremony: The program will last approximately two hours.
Line Up:
- Seniors - 9 a.m., Civic Center Upper Concourse (adjacent to Thomas Wolfe Auditorium)
- Faculty - 9:30 a.m., Civic Center Upper Concourse (adjacent to Thomas Wolfe Auditorium)
- Platform Party - 9:30 a.m., Civic Center Upper Concourse (adjacent to Thomas Wolfe Auditorium)
Parking: Parking is available in the city parking decks.
Fees are as follows:
- Civic Center Garage on Haywood St. - Free for the first hour, $0.50 per hour for each hour or fraction thereof (cash only).
- Rankin Avenue Garage, located one block from the Civic Center - Free for the first hour, $0.75 per hour for each hour or fraction thereof (cash only).
- Wall Street Garage, located three blocks from the Civic
Center - Free for the first hour, $0.75 per hour for each hour or
fraction thereof (cash only).
On-street, metered parking is also plentiful around the Civic Center. Most meters cost $1 per hour, and accept nickels, dimes and quarters.
H1N1 Influenza: In light of the recent H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu) outbreak, if you are a graduate or family member exhibiting a fever and/or respiratory systems (or have been sick in the past week), please consider staying home.
Reception: A reception, follows the ceremony on the Civic Center Upper Concourse, adjacent to Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. Faculty and staff will gather under departmental signs..
ASL Services: An American Sign Language interpreter will translate the Commencement Ceremony. Ask an usher for special seating.
Directions: Driving Directions and Google Map.
Please note: A rockslide on I-40 has caused delays when approaching Asheville from the west. The following detours are recommendations for reaching Asheville from the N.C. Department of Transportation.
Express Route via Scenic Interstate
Byway
The NC Department of Transportation advises I-40 travelers
from the west to take I-81 north to Johnson City, then I-26 east to
Asheville. The I-26 route adds roughly 50 minutes to the travel time, and is
one of the nation’s only interstate Scenic Byways. I-26 takes motorists
through the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains offering scenic observation
points, a welcome center and stunning views of the highest peaks in the
East.
Detour Option via Dixie Highway
Travelers coming from the west on I-40 may also take exit
432-B for US-25/US-70 toward Newport. After Newport, TN, 25/70 becomes the
Dixie Highway. Follow signs to stay on 25/70. Shortly after entering North
Carolina, you will pass through the town of Hot Springs. Continue until you
reach I-26. Take I-26 east to get to Asheville. This route adds roughly 30
minutes to the travel time and is a beautiful scenic mountain highway.
Passenger vehicles only are permitted on this road–it is not a commercial
travel route (i.e. motorcoach, RVs or dual-axel vehicles). Please consider
possible weather and traffic congestion issues on this winding two-lane
road.
Lodging: A special Friends of UNC Asheville rate is available at the Double Tree Hotel at 115 Hendersonville Road in Asheville. For the night of Dec. 18, rooms are available for the special price of $109 plus tax. Call 828-274-1800 and mention you are part of the UNC Asheville Commencement.
For additional accommodations, see recommendations provided by the Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau at www.exploreasheville.com.
Other Information
Photographs: Graduates' photographs will be taken as they receive their diplomas by the Georgia-based company Action International Marketing. After Commencement, the photographer will send purchase information to graduates' permanent addresses on file with the University. Images will also be available online or you may go to www.mygradphotos.com to view and order photographs.
Video: DVD copies of the Winter 2009 Commencement will be available a few days after the ceremony. Please email your name and address to media_request@unca.edu. You may also drop by the CITS desk (Ramsey Library Room 002) and pick up a DVD during regular library hours. DVDs are $5 per copy.
If you have questions about Commencement, call 828.251.6475
or e-mail commencement@unca.edu.
