By Latricia Boone
There’s something about graduations
that makes, even those of us who aren’t graduating, feel a sense of delight and
excitement. So this past Saturday, when UNC Charlotte proudly conferred the
degrees of nearly 3400 graduates it was a time of celebration. At this 66th
commencement, held in UNC Charlotte’s Halton Arena, more
than 1,900 of students received their Bachelor's while the other 1,000
graduates received advanced degrees, including 70 doctorates.
It was a special celebration for the
University, as this year’s graduates are part of a growing contingency of
students who have experienced the University at its peak in growth and change.
Speaking to the crowd, Chancellor Phillip Dubois noted that in the last 4-6
years, not only has the student body grown to more than 26,000, the University
has greatly expanded its academic programs - offering a number of new doctoral
degrees – and continued improving the look and feel of the campus. With the
University completing more than a billion dollar’s worth of construction during
their time here, these graduates saw the construction of the Center City
Building and new residence halls on main campus. And of course, there was the inauguration
of football, which proved to be an exciting milestone not only for students but
for many across the Charlotte community.
One
of the things that makes UNC Charlotte so special is its students. Deeply rooted in its
tradition, is the ability to serve those who come from many different walks of
life but share the commonality of wanting to achieve academic success. Witnessing
the winter commencement and many of the recent milestones, there is no doubt
that Saturday was a proud day for those graduates. I’m sure that as each of
them looks back, they are able to reflect not only on the University’s growth
during their time here, but their own growth as
individuals. Hopefully, they found their experience to be valuable and are
leaving university life feeling very proud to say “I am a 49er” as they go out
into the world and Stake their Claim.
So, in the spirit of being a 49er, we celebrate and applaud
our graduates. As they mark the conclusion of an academic and
personal milestone, we wish them much success. No matter what path they choose,
an advanced academic program, the workforce or just starting the rest of their
lives, we know that their futures are grounded in the 49er spirit of
determination and perseverance. Cheers to the season and cheers to UNC
Charlotte’s graduates.
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Latricia Boone is communications director for the Colleges of Education and Health & Human Services.
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