| As of 5/4/2022, we plan to be OUTSIDE on the University Quad for one Commencement ceremony at 9 a.m. Please see below for full details |
- Date: Saturday, May 7, 2022
- Time: 9 a.m.
- Location: University Quad
UNC Asheville’s May 2022 Commencement will take place on Saturday, May 7, 2022, outdoors on the University Quad. Please join us for this community-wide tradition as we celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates.
All graduates and guests are encouraged to follow UNC Asheville’s Community Expectations. We invite graduates and guests to share their experiences on social media. Tag your posts and photos with #UncAvlGrads and follow the event on UNC Asheville’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
View the digital program here.
Commencement Speaker: Eva M. Clayton
UNC Asheville will award Eva M. Clayton, the first Black woman to represent the state of North Carolina in Congress and a champion for economic equality, with the Honorary Doctorate of Laws at the Class of 2022 Commencement Ceremony. Clayton will serve as the Commencement speaker and receive the UNC Asheville Chancellor’s Medallion, the University’s highest non-academic distinction, to recognize individuals who demonstrate distinguished national service and leadership. An additional honorary degree will also be awarded to Dr. Jeff Heck, a physician and recently retired CEO of the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) under whose tenure UNC Health Sciences at MAHEC was established. The UNC Asheville – UNC Gillings MPH Program is housed on the MAHEC campus. Dr. Heck will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Science for his exceptional contributions to the Asheville community.
Guest Tickets
To ensure the safety of all attendees, each graduate will receive six tickets to share with their family and friends. This includes both outdoor and rain locations. Graduates will pick up their tickets following the rehearsal on Friday, May 6, which begins at 10 a.m.
Livestream
For those who are unable to make it to campus, the Commencement Ceremony will be livestreamed on the UNC Asheville YouTube channel. The Commencement program will be uploaded to this website in advance of the ceremony for you to view and enjoy.
Community Expectations
As members of this community, we care about everyone. Faculty, staff, students, and visitors have a shared commitment to take the necessary precautions to avoid spreading COVID-19 while following all recommended health guidelines. Please see UNC Asheville’s Community Expectations for more information.
Information for Graduates
The Registrar’s Office provides important dates and deadlines for graduation. If you are a prospective graduate and have not been receiving emails concerning graduation, please notify Alicia Shope at ashope@unca.edu. Reminders of the dates and deadlines are sent through email.
Graduation Rehearsal & Latin Honors Recognition
We will conduct one graduation rehearsal for all graduates on Friday, May 6 at 10 a.m. in Kimmel Arena. Graduates should plan to meet on the floor of Kimmel Arena promptly at 10 a.m. for instructions. Latin Honors recipients will receive their cords and be recognized at the rehearsal. Graduates will also pick up their six tickets after rehearsal.
Senior Send-off Picnic
Immediately following the graduation rehearsal, graduates are invited to attend the Senior Send-Off Picnic on the first floor of Highsmith Student Union. There will be FREE hotdogs, hamburgers, and veggie burgers, and graduates will receive a FREE picnic blanket from the Alumni Association and learn about resources available to them as alumni.
Graduation Check-In
On Graduation Day, graduates will line up at 8 a.m. on the Kimmel Arena floor (one hour before the Commencement ceremony is scheduled to begin). Graduates should arrive at check-in dressed in their cap and gown and ready to begin the processional. All details regarding check-in and the processional will be shared at the graduation rehearsal.
Information for Friends and Families
We welcome families and friends to campus to celebrate Commencement at UNC Asheville. Please visit our accommodations page for preferred places to stay, and use our campus map to find your way on campus.
Guest Arrival & Parking
Parking will be available in all campus parking lots and attendants will direct guests to available parking. Shuttles will be circulating throughout campus parking lots.
Guest Seating & Security
Guest seating will open at 8 a.m. on the University Quad (one hour before the ceremony is scheduled to begin). Backpacks are not permitted at the ceremony. Purses, camera bags and diaper bags will be allowed, but all bags will be subject to search. Due to possible unexpected weather patterns, guests are encouraged to bring an umbrella or rain jacket with them to the ceremony.
Severe Weather Notifications
Visit bulldogalert.unca.edu for the most up-to-date information.
GradImages
GradImages takes portraits of each graduate. To find your photos, visit https://www.gradimages.com/ and search the graduate’s last name, along with UNC Asheville and the graduation year. If you have questions about your photos, please contact GradImages Customer Service:
- Phone: 800-261-2576
- Email: ecc.giservice@gradimages.net
UNC Asheville Alumni Association
Since the Association’s founding in 1947, lifetime membership has been a gift of the University to its graduates. The association helps alumni stay connected to their alma mater, classmates, friends, faculty and staff, as well as to connect with alumni throughout the United States and in more than 50 countries. To learn more about the Association, its activities and benefits go to alumni.unca.edu. Stay connected to your alma mater through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Class Notes and Information Update: Help us stay connected by keeping us informed of changes to your contact information and share with us news about your life after UNC Asheville.
Career Services & Transcripts
UNC Asheville graduates receive all the services of the UNC Asheville Career Center at no charge throughout their lives. To learn about upcoming events, online job postings and more go to career.unca.edu.
Transcripts are provided to UNC Asheville graduates at no charge from the University in person or online with a small processing charge from the National Student Clearinghouse. Find more information on ordering transcripts here.
Questions
Additional details and other important information will be shared with graduates via email throughout the Spring semester. If you have any questions about the Commencement ceremony, please email commencement@unca.edu.
Preserving the Memory
Watch the December 2021 Commencement livestream:
Watch the May 2021 Commencement live streams:
Morning Ceremony
Afternoon Ceremony