Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the difference between graduation and commencement?

Graduation refers to the completion of all degree requirements. Commencement is the ceremony that celebrates graduation.

• What is the difference between the university and departmental ceremonies?

The University Commencement ceremony is the official Commencement ceremony that recognizes the entire graduating class across all disciplines and degree levels. The various colleges and departments host additional ceremonies to honor their respective graduates. Neither are mandatory to attend.

• When is the University Commencement Ceremony?

The University Commencement ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at Carter-Finley Stadium.

• Where is Carter-Finley Stadium?

Carter-Finley Stadium is located at 4600 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607

• Do I have to register or RSVP for the University Commencement Ceremony?

Students will RSVP to attend the Commencement ceremony. Additional information regarding this process will be available in the middle of the graduation term.

• Is the University Commencement Ceremony ticketed?

Guest tickets are not required for entry to this event.

• Who walks across the stage at Commencement?

Only doctoral candidates will walk across the stage. All other students will be asked to stand and be recognized with the other graduates of their respective colleges by their deans.

• What time should guests arrive?

All graduates and guests should plan to be seated in the venue no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. Please plan your travel and arrival accordingly.

• How will students be seated?

Bachelor’s and master’s students will not be seated by college, but instead by order of arrival. Doctoral candidates will be seated together in walking order.

• How long should the ceremony last?

The University Commencement ceremony should last approximately 2 – 2.5 hours.

• Will there be a recessional?

There will not be a formal recessional.

• Will the ceremony be live-streamed? Will it be recorded?

Yes, the ceremony will be live-streamed via go.ncsu.edu/WatchCommencement and the NC State Facebook page.

• Is there a rehearsal for Commencement?

No, there is not rehearsal for Commencement for students.

• What if there is bad weather?

NC State Emergency Management and Mission Continuity, along with NC State Athletics, will monitor weather conditions leading up to the event. In the case of known inclement weather ahead of the event, we are prepared for up to two scheduled one-hour delays (10 a.m. or 11 a.m.). If the weather persists after the second delay, the ceremony will be cancelled.

If inclement weather occurs during the event, patrons will be advised on appropriate steps by staff on site.

Emergency information will be sent via WolfAlert and available on the WolfAlert Emergency Information page.

• Where can I park for Commencement?

All graduates should enter through either Gate B off Trinity Rd. to park on the east side of the stadium.

Guests can enter through Gate B or Gate C off Trinity Rd., Gate E off Edwards Mill Rd., or Gate F off Westchase Blvd. to park on the east, west, or north sides of the stadium.

All graduates and guests should follow instructions of parking attendants on site.

• What am I allowed to bring into Carter-Finley Stadium? What items are prohibited?

All graduates, guests, faculty, participants, and staff in attendance will be required to adhere to the NC State Athletics Bag Policy and should review the Prohibited Items & Behavior list found on the Carter-Finley Stadium Fan Guide.

• May I bring stadium seating or seat cushions to use in Carter-Finley?

Yes, you may bring stadium seating or seat cushions to use in Carter-Finley.

• Will water be available?

Graduates will be provided with a bottle of water upon entering the stadium. Any additional beverages will need to be disposed of before entering the gates.

Guests can bring an empty bottle to be filled in the stadium. Drinks, including water, Powerade, and soft drinks, will also be available for purchase.

• What health or safety guidelines will be in place?

All graduates, guests, faculty, participants and staff will all be required to adhere to necessary health and safety protocols, including NC State’s Community Standards.

• Is there a summer commencement ceremony?

No, there is not a Summer Commencement ceremony.

• I’m graduating in the summer. Will I be able to attend the Spring or Fall commencement ceremony?

Summer graduates are invited to Fall commencement and are not eligible to attend the Spring ceremony.

• I’m graduating in the summer. Will my name be printed in the program?

Summer graduates are included in the Fall Commencement program. The ceremony program will be published online the day of the event. If you have questions about Fall Commencement, you may contact the Commencement email address linked here.

• Where do graduates assemble?

All graduates will enter through the Murphy Center Lot for lineup. Associate, bachelor’s and master’s candidates will assemble in the lot, while doctoral candidates will enter through Wendell H. Murphy Football Center near gate number 6 for check-in.

• Where do faculty members assemble?

Faculty members should enter through Gate E off Edwards Mill Rd. and park in the Stadium North lot. They will then follow directions from staff on site down the loading dock entrance for lineup.

• Where do guests and visitors enter?

Guests should enter through the east and west sides of the arena, through gate numbers 2, 3, 4, 8, or 9.

• What resources or services will be available for deaf or hard-of-hearing attendees?

The ceremony will feature the availability of live closed-captioning, both on the jumbotron and on mobile devices. To view live captioning on your mobile device during the ceremony, visit go.ncsu.edu/captions.

• Where is there accessible seating for graduates?

There will be accessible seating for graduates. Marshals, university staff, and volunteers will be available to assist graduates in finding appropriate seating.

• Where is there accessible seating for guests?

Yes, accessible seating will be available on both the east and west sides of the stadium. Guests requiring wheelchair specific seating should follow the directions of staff on site once they have entered the stadium.

• Are graduates expected to wear regalia to the ceremony?

Yes, graduates are expected to wear academic regalia to the Commencement ceremony.

• How can I buy cords or stoles for Commencement?

Stoles (or sashes) designating students graduating with honors (Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude) are currently available for purchase from Wolfpack Outfitters. Other stoles or cords for student groups or other student recognitions (such as student-athletes, honor societies, fraternities/sororities, senior gift donor, etc.) are provided/sold directly by the appropriate department, organization, or student group.

• I’m not sure what my GPA will be when I graduate, so which honors stole should I purchase?

Academic honors are designated at Commencement based on the GPA that you enter into your final term with, as final grades are not calculated until after Commencement. If your GPA is a 3.48 when entering your final term, you will be recognized as graduating Cum Laude until final grades are calculated.

• What side of the mortarboard (cap) does my tassel go on?

Bachelor’s degree candidates drape the tassel on the right side of the cap, and will ‘turn’ it at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Professional, Master’s, and Doctoral degree candidates drape the tassel on the left side of the cap.

• What is the Grad Fair?

Grad Fair is an event hosted by the NC State Stores each semester prior to Commencement. Grad Fair is an opportunity to purchase or pick up all of your graduation and commencement needs at one time, in one convenient location.

• When and where will college and department ceremonies be held?

See the schedule of College and Department Ceremonies. Schedule information is subject to change and you should contact the appropriate department for the latest information.

• Where can I receive a program?

All attendees will receive an abridged ceremony program upon entry. A digital program that includes full ceremony details – as well as graduate names and honors – will be available online.

• Will there be a way for me to pick up an abridged program if I can’t attend the Commencement ceremony?

Yes, if you were not able to receive an abridged program at Commencement, you can contact or visit the Student Services Center to pick one up beginning on the first business day after the ceremony.

• How will my name appear in the digital program?

Graduates now have the option to enter a “Diploma Name” in MyPack Portal to be printed on their official diploma as well as in the digital program and other University Commencement materials. Without a change request, graduate legal names will be used in the digital program and printed on their diploma. More information on personal information for graduation purposes is available on the Student Services Center website.

• Can I change how my name appears in the digital program?

If a student’s legal name appears incorrect in the system, they may submit a Name Change Request Form to the Student Services Center. Otherwise, a student can change their “Diploma Name” in MyPack Portal. All requests for name changes must be received no later than the deadline to update Privacy Settings.

• Will my honors be designated in the digital program?

Bachelor’s degree candidates’ honors status appears in the official Commencement program based on how they enter their final semester, as final grades are not calculated until after the Commencement ceremony. For example, a student who entered their final term with a 3.70 GPA will receive the Magna Cum Laude designation next to their name in the program.

• I am graduating with multiple degrees. Will my name be listed for each of my degrees?

Yes, as long as you have submitted an application to graduate for both degrees.

• I have multiple majors but I am only graduating with one degree this semester. Will my name still appear in the program?

Yes, as long as you have submitted an application to graduate for that degree.

• I don’t want my name included in the program or official graduation publications. What do I need to do?

If you are graduating but would prefer not to have your name listed in the official Commencement program and other official publications, you have the right to restrict your personal information from being displayed. This can be done in MyPack Portal, and MUST be done by the deadline. For more information on how to update your Privacy Restrictions in MyPack, along with the deadlines for updating your Privacy Restrictions for graduation purposes, visit the Student Services Center website.

• When will I receive my diploma?

All graduates will receive their diploma after final graduation clearance has taken place. See the Student Services Center website for details.

• Where can I find a list of graduates?

A list of graduates will be available on the Student Services Center website after each term; this list only includes students whose privacy settings do not restrict their information from being publicly displayed.