University-News

Spring 2018 Commencement In Photos

A few of the stories and photos from Spring 2018 commencement.

May 7, 2018

Over 2,100 undergraduate and graduate students earned their degrees from UNC during ceremonies May 4-5. Here are a few of the stories.

Faces and Stories from Graduation

Sally “Boo” Wilkins poses with her 2,200-pound Longhorn steer, Blizzard, following the undergraduate ceremony. The gentle giant traveled with Wilkins to take in the sights during the ceremony from a trailer parked at Nottingham Field as Wilkins accepted her online degree in Sociology. The inseparable pair travel the country putting on shows for a variety of events — most recently a rodeo in Florida. “Before and after shows, Blizzard was there during so many late nights while I did homework, watching me through the trailer, wanting attention,” Wilkins said. So it only made sense for Blizzard to be there at the finish line.

Siblings 2018 graduation

It was a busy day for the Belisairo family as triplets Kirsten, Lauren and Nicole, along with their older brother Michael, all graduated from UNC on the same day. Nicole fell in love with the beauty of campus during a tour, and it was a bonus that she’d be joined by family. “It has been really great to share in the experiences of college with my siblings,” said Nicole, who received a degree in Nutrition with a minor in biology. Kristen’s degree is in Sport and Exercise science with a minor Psychology and Lauren’s is history with an emphasis on secondary education. Michael, a transfer student, earned degrees in Athletic Training and Sports and Exercise Science.

Ellen Gregg Commencement

For nine faculty with a combined 245 years of service in the College of Natural and Health Sciences, the weekend ceremonies marked their last with UNC. Ellen Meyer Gregg, pictured in center and who serves as the college’s dean, was among the group of retirees recently honored. See the list and their years of service here. Related: C ollege of Humanities and Social Sciences and Monfort College of Business retirees.

cap art 2018 commencement

See the slideshow for more faces of graduation.

About UNC's Spring/Summer 2018 Graduating Class

No. of students graduating: 2,108
No. of students earning bachelor's degrees: 1,446
No. of students earning graduate degrees: 662 (534 master's, 93 doctorates, 35 certificate/specialists)
Age range: Undergrad: 19-63; Grad: 22-69
Average age: Undergrad: 24; Grad: 31
Graduate's average GPA: Undergrad: 3.18; Grad: 3.85
Most popular majors (by degrees awarded): Undergrad: Business Administration, Elementary Education, Psychology, Sport and Exercise Science, Nursing. Grad: Special Education, Education, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Music, Biomedical Science, Educational Leadership.
International Countries Represented: 22 (Australia, Canada, China, Egypt, Estonia, India, Iran (Islamic Republic), Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom)
States/Territories Represented: 46 (Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming)
Colorado Counties Represented: 48 (Adams, Alamosa, Arapahoe, Archuleta, Baca, Boulder, Broomfield, Chaffee, Conejos, Delta, Denver, Douglas, Eagle, El Paso, Elbert, Fremont, Garfield, Grand, Gunnison, Huerfano, Jefferson, Kit Carson, La Plata, Lake, Larimer, Las Animas, Lincoln, Logan, Mesa, Moffat, Montezuma, Montrose, Morgan, Otero, Ouray, Park, Phillips, Pitkin, Prowers, Pueblo, Routt, San Juan, San Miguel, Summit, Teller, Washington, Weld, Yuma)