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We are so excited for you and want you to have all the information you and your family need to celebrate the day as stress-free as possible! Below you will find information related to regalia pick-up, and general information about the Commencement Ceremony. The next email will include what to bring, parking and more. |
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Upcoming Events for Graduates
Seahawk Salute
Nov. 8
Campus Bookstore
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Alumni Association Commencement Celebration
Location: Wise Alumni House
Date: Friday, December 14
Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m.
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Commencement Ceremonies
December 15
Trask Coliseum
9:30 a.m. Ceremony
- Cameron School of Business
- Watson College of Education
- College of Health and Human Services
1 p.m. Ceremony
- College of Arts and Sciences
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Departmental Events/Receptions
Locations and times for departmental receptions will be posted on the Commencement website as soon as all of the information is confirmed. Note, some events require an RSVP or are invitation only. If you have specific questions related to departmental events, contact the individual department.
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Commencement Regalia
Extension and Distance Education students can click here to order regalia (cap/gown/hood) through the UNCW Bookstore. This is a revised website that reflects the correct ordering deadline of November 27. Extension and Distance Education students eligible for honor cords will be emailed with instructions on how to order cords.
More information for Extension and Distance Education students may be found here.
Doctoral students must contact the UNCW Bookstore to order rental regalia. Email sm282@bncollege.com
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Honors and Distinctions – Undergraduates Only
Undergraduate students who successfully completed the Honors Program in their major will graduate “With Honors In” the discipline in which their special work was undertaken. Students who earn a minimum of a 3.50 GPA on all course work attempted, including transfer courses, will receive a degree with distinction. Distinction is based on your overall GPA at the end of the fall semester.
Those receiving honors and degrees with distinction will be recognized as a group during the Commencement ceremony.
Extension/Distance Education students must purchase honor cords, and will be notified by email of their eligibility with instructions and how to order.
There are three levels of distinction:
Cum Laude - overall average of 3.50
Magna Cum Laude - overall average of 3.70
Summa Cum Laude - overall average of 3.90
For information concerning distinction qualifications, please contact the Office of the Registrar at 910.962.3125.
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What to Bring to Commencement
Bring your cap, gown, hood (Master’s students only), and your name card.
Tip: Fill out your name card and tape it to the inside of your cap so you do not lose it!
Any items you bring with you to Hanover Gym will remain with you during the entire ceremony. If you are not able to place it under a chair or it is not a necessity, leave it in your car or with your family and friends. Do not bring air horns, loud noise makers, beach balls, confetti, etc. to the ceremony. Do not deface your cap or gown with printed signs or messages.
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What to Expect During the Ceremony
UNCW does not have a commencement rehearsal for graduates. However, staff and student marshals will direct you through the ceremony. The day of your ceremony, you will report to Hanover Gym one hour prior to the beginning of your ceremony. This is also the time when the doors will open for your family and friends to come into Trask Coliseum. When the ceremony begins, student marshals will direct you to your seats. The student marshals will be counting the number of people in each row to make sure you have a seat. If they ask you to start a new row, follow their directions.
Programs will be on your seat in Trask Coliseum. The ceremony will consist of greetings from University officials, a commencement address, and the conferral of degrees. At the appropriate time, the student marshals will direct you when it is time for you to be recognized. You will take a picture in front of the UNCW banner, hand your name card to the card reader, and then shake hands with the Chancellor, Provost, or Dean of your college/school. At this time you will return to your seat. After the ceremony, you will meet your family and friends outside in front of Trask Coliseum. The ceremony will last 1.5-2 hours.
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Live Streaming & TV Broadcasts
Both ceremonies will be streamed live for viewing remotely from UNCW's homepage. A photo gallery and video of the ceremonies and related events will be posted to the UNCW homepage after Commencement.
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Official Commencement Photographs
Professional photographers from GradImages will take individual photographs of each of the graduates during their Commencement ceremony. During the presentation of candidates, each graduate will pose for two pictures, one as a portrait and the other receiving their scroll. Participants will receive a free photo proof and can order copies of their photograph directly from GradImages.
To receive your photos quickly, pre-register family and friends' email addresses. GradImages will email photographs when they are available for online viewing and ordering. Pre-register with GradImages by visiting www.gradimages.com, and clicking on the "Pre-Event Registration" at the bottom of the page. This provides them with the most correct and up-to-date contact information and ensures the delivery of your graduation proofs in a timely manner. You may register your email and up to 6 emails of loved ones who would like to share in your accomplishment by viewing and ordering photos.
Your proofs will be available after the ceremony. To view your proofs online, please visit www.gradimages.com. Pictures may be ordered online, by phone or by mail. If you have any questions, please contact GradImages at 800.261.2576.
Individuals who do not receive a photo proof within two weeks of the ceremony should contact GradImages at 800.261.2576 or via e-mail at service@gradimages.com. To learn more, visit www.gradimages.com/universityofnorthcarolinawilmington.
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Parking
Guests and graduates are encouraged to carpool to maximize the use of all available parking spaces. Parking for graduates and guests during the commencement ceremonies will be available in Lot K, adjacent to Trask Coliseum. Guests with a state issued Handicapped Placard are encouraged to park in Lot K at Wagoner Drive. Obey all posted signs and refrain from parking on grass or fields. For parking suggestions for departmental events and receptions, visit the Receptions webpage. View a map of all parking locations.
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Special Accommodation Seating
Special seating arrangements on the lower level of Trask Coliseum will be provided for guests (and one accompanying family member or care-taker) who need special accommodations. Bleacher seating may be available for additional family members on the lower level that is not part of the specialty seating. Due to limited seating, the entire family may not be able to sit in the bleachers on the lower lever. Seating will be available on a first come, first serve basis.
A sign language interpreter will be available for individuals who need hearing accommodations. Guests who need access to the sign language interpreter should go to the front of the bleachers on the lower level of Trask Coliseum. Additionally, there will be a limited number of Sennheiser Tour Guide 2020 series listening devices available for use during the ceremony. You can request a device by going to the sound board near the front of the bleachers on the lower level of Trask Coliseum.
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Diplomas & Transcripts
Undergraduate and graduate diplomas are ordered by the Office of the Registrar within eight weeks of Commencement. Diplomas are mailed to the address the graduate provided on their graduation application. If the address needs to be updated, the graduate must notify graduation@uncw.edu to have their address updated. Updating the address in SeaNet will not change the diploma mailing address.
Starting with Summer 2018 graduates, the University of North Carolina at Wilmington partnering with our vendor Parchment to provide a new service for graduates, digital diplomas. A Digital Diploma is an official signed and certified PDF of your diploma, secured with a Blue Ribbon Security Certificate. The digital diploma is issued to the graduates personal email address. Digital diplomas will not be issued to UNCW email addresses. Digital diplomas are only issued to graduates personal email address so that the diploma is available to them in perpetuity. UNCW email addresses expire after graduating from the University. Students will received both a print and digital copy of their diploma.
Graduates will not receive their transcripts or diploma if there is a balance on their student account. Students should review their E-bill account before graduation to ensure you will receive your diploma or transcripts. Contact Student Accounts at 910.962.4281 with questions. A balance on your student account will not affect your participation in graduation. Perkins Loan students please contact Constance Evans at 910.962.7419 to complete your exit interview. Once the account is settled, student’s should send an email notifying the graduation specialist at graduation@uncw.edu so that their diploma can be ordered.
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Chancellor's Challenge
December 2018 graduates, help pay it forward by participating in this year’s Chancellor's Challenge . Just make a gift of $20.18 or more to any area of UNCW that you care about most and you’ll receive several benefits as a token of appreciation for your support, including a VIP parking pass to Commencement!
As part of the Chancellor's Challenge, Chancellor Sartarelli will match your gift to UNCW, dollar for dollar, with his own personal gift to scholarships!
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UNCW E-Mail Deactivation
According to UNCW policy, students’ UNCW email is deactivated upon graduation. Students graduating in December will have their UNCW email deactivated in mid-January. If you do not have an additional email account, it is imperative that you create a professional email account and include that email on job applications, resumes, etc.
Academic related exceptions can be requested through the Office of the Registrar. Examples of exceptions are a student expecting to register for classes (possibly graduate school) within one year, or other academic reasons such as volunteering in a lab or a Fulbright scholar needing to maintain access to the library.
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Office of Transition Programs
910-962-3089
transitions@uncw.edu
NOTICE: Emails sent and received in the course of university business are subject to the North Carolina Public Records Act (N.C.G.S. §132-1 et seq.) and may be released to the public unless an exception applies.
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