The 2008-2009 academic year officially comes to a close this weekend as thousands of students and family members gather for Carolina graduation ceremonies and festivities.
Commencement is at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at Kenan Stadium, and this year the ceremony will be streamed live on the university’s website.
The commencement address will be by Bishop Desmond Tutu, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and a leader in the South African anti-apartheid campaign. Tutu will receive an honorary doctor of divinity degree.
He is joined in receiving honors by author Lee Smith, writer and philanthropist Eli N. Evans, Native-American advocate Helen M. Scheirbeck, former Glaxo CEO and university trustee Charles A. Sanders and textile executive and former university trustee William J. Armfield IV.
Tutu will be joined in speaking before the class of 2009 by Chancellor Holden Thorp, who will address the graduates for the first time as chancellor.
At 9 p.m. on Friday, the General Alumni Association will hold a fireworks celebration at Boshamer Stadium. The event is open to the public and will include performances by the Clef Hangers and the chancellor.
The Ph.D. Hooding Ceremony is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Smith Center.
Information about the streaming video, department ceremonies, parking and travel and other events may be found on the university’s website at unc.edu/commencement/MayCommencement2009.htm
In the event of inclement weather, commencement will move to the Smith Center, where tickets will be required. Tickets will be available for download at the commencement website until 5 p.m. Friday.