Kizzmekia Corbett, PhD, UNC School of Medicine alumna, and Anthony Fauci, MD, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, will deliver commencement addresses. Watch this video featuring Dr. Corbett, as she reflects on her time at UNC-Chapel Hill.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will host an unprecedented Spring Commencement this year, with five ceremonies scheduled between Friday, May 14, and Sunday, May 16, at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Graduates will be seated and physically distanced on the field and the ceremonies will feature live and pre-recorded content.
UNC-Chapel Hill is the only university in the country to feature Commencement addresses from both Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, research fellow and the scientific lead for the Coronaviruses Vaccines and Immunopathogenesis Team at the NIAID, and a Carolina alumna. UNC-Chapel Hill is a national and global leader in COVID-19 research and vaccine development.
Media interested in covering the Spring Commencement are invited to attend the University’s first ceremony of the weekend on Friday, May 14, at 4 p.m. The ceremony will honor graduates from the Adams School of Dentistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Gillings School of Global Public Health, School of Nursing, School of Medicine and School of Social Work. All attendees are required to follow the University’s COVID-19 Community Standards, including wearing a mask and practicing physical distancing at all times.
The University’s additional Commencement ceremonies will be held on Saturday, May 15, at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Sunday, May 16, at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. The Saturday and Sunday ceremonies are also open to media.
All media must contact UNC Media Relations to RSVP before the ceremonies. Media will be granted access to a designated area on the South sideline at field level but will not be permitted in student or guest seating areas during the ceremony. Broadcasters are asked to bring their own drop cords. A livestream feed of all five ceremonies is also available to media, further details can be found below.
Credentials
If interested in attending the Friday, May 14, Commencement ceremony, media members should email Pace Sagester at mediarelations@unc.edu no later than noon on Wednesday, May 12, to request credentials to the event.
B-roll/Livestream
B-roll footage of the May 14 ceremony will be available following the conclusion of the event. A livestream of all five ceremonies, courtesy of PBS North Carolina, will be made available to media outlets via TVU, LTN or a link to the livestream feed. Media interested in receiving B-roll footage or livestreaming a ceremony via PBS North Carolina’s feed should email Pace Sagester at mediarelations@unc.edu no later than noon on Wednesday, May 12.
Media parking
A limited number of spaces will be reserved near the stadium. Media identification will be required. The deck clearance is 6’8”. Please RSVP to Pace Sagester at mediarelations@unc.edu no later than noon on Wednesday, May 12 to request parking.
Media check-in: Beginning at 3 p.m., must arrive by 3:45 p.m.
From the Bell Tower Deck, walk past the trees to Kenan Stadium. Enter through Gate 6 and proceed to the media check in table. On-site media contact: Pace Sagester, 919-368-3533, mediarelations@unc.edu.
Inclement weather
If it rains during the Commencement ceremony, the Chancellor and organizers may shorten the ceremony, but it will not be relocated. Umbrellas will be permitted, but guests should use caution when using umbrellas and be mindful of those seated around them.