Commencement Info for Faculty & Staff
Participate in the Ceremonies
All faculty, staff and alumni are invited to participate in Commencement. As witnesses to the conferring of degrees, the Bear Network is an integral part of congratulating and celebrating UNC’s newest alumni.
We invite you to join the celebrations as a way to show the students you’ve supported along the way that you’re proud of their accomplishments!
Serve as a Commencement Ambassador
Help us create a welcoming and accessible experience for our graduates and their guests. We are seeking approximately 100 staff and faculty volunteers to support Spring 2026 Commencement on May 8 and 9.
If you are available, please complete the sign-up form linked below by May 1 to indicate your availability and polo size (if needed). By signing up, you are committing to serve during one or more ceremonies.
Speaker Nominations
Students, faculty and staff are invited to nominate a graduating student for consideration as a student commencement speaker; nominees will receive an email inviting them to apply.
Nominations for commencement speakers are currently closed. Please check back for future opportunities.
Faculty
Faculty may participate as deputy marshals directing graduates during the ceremony or as members of the academic procession. Each college dean’s office has a supply of regalia to borrow, or regalia may be rented from Herff Jones.
Please contact Commencement Marshal Eli Klyde-Allaman to express interest in participating.
Deputy Marshals and Academic Procession
Faculty are invited to represent their college as deputy marshals during the ceremonies. Deputy marshals direct degree candidates during the procession and throughout the ceremony and must attend one of two training sessions hosted at the end of the semester.
Doctoral Hooding
Hooding faculty should RSVP to Lynne Waldo in the Graduate School.
Deputy Marshal Roles
Banner Bearers
One/College
Banner bearers carry the gonfalon for their college into the commencement ceremony. Banner bearers are selected by the college dean.
Escort Marshals
Four/Ceremony
There are two marshals to lead each column of graduates into and out of the ceremony, and at the appropriate time guide them up to the stage.
Patrol Marshals
Two/Ceremony
One patrol marshal follows each column of graduates into the ceremony, and guides them to the appropriate seat after students cross the stage.
Faculty Marshal
One/Ceremony
A faculty marshal leads the academic procession into the ceremony and out of the ceremony.
Commencement Marshal Needed
Have you ever wondered how commencement comes to be? Do you enjoy the pageantry and pomp of commencement and want to be more involved? Commencement marshals help make sure graduation ceremonies go off smoothly.
UNC is in need of a faculty member to serve as one of two commencement marshals. This is important university-wide service and much of the work for this service position occurs the week before and day of commencement.
If you are interested in serving the university in this way, please contact Eli Klyde-Allaman.
Commitment:
- Represent faculty at periodic Commencement Committee meetings throughout the year.
- Lead deputy marshals in two online training sessions and one in person walk through during commencement week.
- Direct deputy marshals before, during and after each ceremony and handle unexpected circumstances.
- Escort platform party to stage.
Borrow UNC’s Regalia
Each college dean’s office has a supply of regalia available for faculty to borrow, including a variety of hoods that correspond with UNC’s academic programs. Please contact your dean’s office to reserve regalia.
Rent
Faculty may place an order to rent regalia through UNC partner Herff Jones. Place a rental order.
Purchase
Faculty who would like to purchase regalia to own may do so through Herff Jones. Place a regalia order.
