UNC Greensboro prepares to welcome a new class into the rank of alumni, following the Graduate and Doctoral Commencement ceremonies on May 2 and the Undergraduate Commencement on May 3.
UNCG will confer 2,145 bachelor’s degrees, 610 master’s, and 104 doctoral degrees this spring. Both ceremonies will be held at the Greensboro Coliseum.
Pomp and Circumstance
Undergraduates will receive a congratulatory send-off from their peer Abby Barley, a student from Charlotte who is graduating with her bachelor of science in consumer, retail, and apparel studies. Barley, who has a job offer as a buyer for the Burlington apparel brand, will talk about transformations along their college journey, successfully navigating new experiences as independent adults, and tackling the doubts and challenges that came along the way.
The keynote speaker at the graduate and doctoral hooding ceremony will be Dr. Anthony Dellinger ’14, who earned his PhD in nanoscience from the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (JSNN). Dellinger was named UNCG’s inaugural Entrepreneur of the Year and has led a successful career researching nanomaterials’ effects on biological systems. He’s now president of Kepley BioSystems, Inc., principle and co-founder of AT Research Partners, and an adjunct professor at JSNN.
Spartan Family Ties
Commencement is always a triumphant moment for graduates’ families – especially at UNCG where many students are first generation college students. For some, it’s a particularly special family affair. Rylee Blossey will cross the stage along with her mother. Dena Blossey resolved to complete her higher education when her children had grown up, but when Rylee showed the same passion for architectural design, they both ended up in UNCG’s interior architecture program and will receive their bachelors of fine arts together.
Another graduate will cross the stage at an age when most students would be decorating their dorm room for the first time. Searat Khalid will graduate from Public Health Education’s online health studies program at just 19 years old. Khalid completed the Career and College Promise Program at Guilford Technical Community College, arriving at UNCG with 48 credits. Already a certified nursing assistant, Khalid hopes to get her master of health administration and become a physician’s assistant.
Meanwhile, one doctoral student’s degree will come as an early present shortly before his 80th birthday. Mike Rubin, a retired gastroenterologist, came to UNCG to get his PhD in history. He focused his studies on medical education reform in the South between 1910 and 1940. Rubin credits the support of his family with getting him to this moment.
The Blosseys, Khalid, Rubin, and the rest of the Class of 2024 are excited to take part in all UNCG’s graduation traditions – from the Red Carpet Reception on campus to the ringing of the bell and the turning of their tassels. The entire UNCG family is just as eager to celebrate with them and to send them off with a degree that will support their next big journey, wherever their dreams and pursuits may take them.
UNCG will share just some of the many moments of triumph through Spring 2024 Commencement Profiles, social media, and the Commencement website.
Story by Janet Imrick, University Communications
Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications
CELEBRATE OUR GRADS!
Graduate Commencement: May 2 at the Greensboro Coliseum
Undergraduate Commencement: May 3 at the Greensboro Coliseum
Tag social media posts #UNCGGrad and #UNCGWay. Tagged posts will be displayed live on screen in the Greensboro Coliseum before the ceremonies.
Mention @UNCG in celebratory posts on Instagram and X and @uncgreensboro on TikTok.
