May Commencement 2025

The annual Involvement Carnival is a time for campus clubs, organizations and groups to shine, encouraging new students to get involved while at the university. PHOTO: JEFF JANOWSKI/UNCW Near the end of each semester, students eagerly present their final research projects to the campus community, transforming their data into captivating displays for faculty, staff and student peers. PHOTO: JEFF JANOWSKI/UNCW Celebrating the start of a new year and semester, students take part in the annual Seahawk Plunge in the outdoor leisure pool at the Pat Leonard Student Recreation Center. PHOTO: JEFF JANOWSKI/UNCW First-year and transfer students embark on their Seahawk journey, greeted by enthusiastic volunteers during UNCW's annual Move-In event, which kicks off Welcome Week for the fall semester. PHOTO: JEFF JANOWSKI/UNCW Wings Up for Wilmington! Each fall, UNCW’s faculty, staff and students venture out into the community, lending a hand and making a positive impact. PHOTO: JEFF JANOWSKI/UNCW Campus Dining celebrates the 16th anniversary of the Wagsgiving Thanksgiving Feast, offering hearty meals and activities for students. PHOTO: MICHAEL SPENCER/UNCW The Class of 2025 experienced the creation of Seahawk Village, becoming the first to dine at The Shore Dining Hall and take advantage of the Shoreline Sports Complex B. PHOTO: JEFF JANOWSKI/UNCW International experience is an integral part of Seahawk life, with opportunities to travel abroad in over 50 countries and bring those experiences closer to home during UNCW’s annual Intercultural Festival at the Burney Center. PHOTO: JEFF JANOWSKI/UNCW UNCW's Activities and Campus Events (ACE) hosts Dub After Dark as part of UNCWelcome events for students returning to campus for the fall semester. PHOTO: LAURYL MEILE/UNCW All things TEAL! Free swag, t-shirt swaps, foam fingers — there's nothing like being a Seahawk without a touch of teal. PHOTO: JEFF JANOWSKI/UNCW Campus departments and offices, such as the UNCW Office of Military Affairs, host monthly events to foster community and connection. PHOTO: JEFF JANOWSKI/UNCW The Class of 2025 witnessed the final days of Galloway Hall. Constructed in 1972 as the first air-conditioned residence hall, it became a cherished home where countless memories and friendships were forged over five decades. It was demolished in 2024. PHOTO: MICHAEL SPENCER/UNCW On Chancellor’s Walk, the main thoroughfare for students traversing campus, groups can showcase their creative flair, such as the chemistry department's bi-annual sidewalk chemistry event. PHOTO: JEFF JANOWSKI/UNCW UNCW students enjoy a day off and a beautiful snowy campus following a winter storm that hit coastal North Carolina. PHOTO: MAGGIE BECK/UNCW The Soaring Seahawk found a new home as the Class of 2025 embarked on their senior year. PHOTO: BRADLEY PEARCE/UNCW First-year students gather at the Student Village recreation facilities and fields for an orientation welcome event. PHOTO: LOGAN WELLS/UNCW

Children hide under their mother's UNCW doctoral gown as they celebrate her achievement on Friday during her commencement ceremony. PHOTO BY: MAGGIE BECK/UNCW Doctoral candidates from UNCW Graduate School receive hugs from friends as commencement ceremonies begin. PHOTO BY: MAGGIE BECK/UNCW Friends in UNCW's Graduate School gather for a group photo. PHOTO BY: MICHAEL SPENCER/UNCW An estimated 3,000 graduates are expected to receive their degrees during the Spring 2025 Commencement at UNCW this weekend. PHOTO BY: JEFF JANOWSKI/UNCW UNCW faculty processional flag bearers gather for a group photo on Friday. PHOTO BY: MICHAEL SPENCER/UNCW UNCW faculty gather for a selfie during commencement ceremonies. PHOTO BY: MICHAEL SPENCER/UNCW Faculty celebrate their students as they cross the stage to collect their diplomas. PHOTO BY: MICHAEL SPENCER/UNCW UNCW Chancellor Aswani K. Volety receives a hug from faculty during commencement ceremonies. PHOTO BY: MICHAEL SPENCER/UNCW UNCW Chancellor Aswani K. Volety welcomes graduates and their families to Trask Coliseum for commencement. PHOTO BY: MAGGIE BECK/UNCW UNCW commencement speaker Khadijia Tribie Reid speaks to the graduates of the College of Health and Human Services. PHOTO BY: MAGGIE BECK/UNCW UNCW doctoral graduates joyfully celebrate their highest academic achievement. PHOTO BY: MICHAEL SPENCER/UNCW Board of Trustees member Carlton Fisher addresses the graduates during commencement ceremonies. PHOTO BY: MAGGIE BECK/UNCW UNCW doctoral graduates celebrate their achievement. PHOTO BY: MAGGIE BECK/UNCW A UNCW doctoral candidate receives her hood during commencement ceremonies on Friday. PHOTO BY: MAGGIE BECK/UNCW A UNCW doctoral candidate embraces a faculty mentor during commencement. PHOTO BY MAGGIE BECK/UNCW" UNCW Graduate School doctoral candidates receive their hoods during Friday's commencement ceremonies. PHOTO BY: Maggie Beck/UNCW. UNCW doctoral candidate warmly embraces her faculty mentor, celebrating the completion of her highest academic degree. PHOTO BY: Maggie Beck/UNCW Yousry and Linda Sayed Graduate Student Fellow Jared Wood offers a grateful handshake to his faculty mentor after receiving his doctoral hood. PHOTO BY: MICHAEL SPENCER/UNCW A UNCW Graduate School doctoral candidate receives their hood during Friday's commencement ceremonies. PHOTO BY: MAGGIE BECK/UNCW A UNCW doctoral candidate embraces her faculty mentors during the commencement ceremony. PHOTO BY: Maggie Beck/UNCW UNCW Graduate School master's candidate proudly receives her diploma during Friday's commencement ceremony. PHOTO BY: MICHAEL SPENCER/UNCW Paws4People service dogs join the commencement ceremonies, donning their own mortar boards. PHOTO BY: MAGGIE BECK/UNCW UNCW Graduate School master's degree candidates walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. PHOTO BY: MAGGIE BECK/UNCW UNCW Graduate School master's degree candidates walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. PHOTO BY: MAGGIE BECK/UNCW UNCW Graduate School master's degree candidates walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. PHOTO BY: MAGGIE BECK/UNCW College of Health and Human Services undergraduates celebrate as they prepare for commencement. PHOTO BY: MAGGIE BECK/UNCW College of Health and Human Services undergraduates celebrate as they prepare for commencement. PHOTO BY: MAGGIE BECK/UNCW It's all smiles on Friday as UNCW students celebrate commencement. PHOTO BY: MAGGIE BECK/UNCW Associate Professor Lenis Chen-Edinboro leads the procession during the commencement ceremony for the UNCW College of Health and Human Services. PHOTO BY: MAGGIE BECK/UNCW Senior Class President takes a class photo during her speech at the podium on Friday at commencement. PHOTO BY: MAGGIE BECK/UNCW College of Health and Human Services undergraduates celebrate as they prepare for commencement. PHOTO BY: MAGGIE BECK/UNCW College of Health and Human Services undergraduates celebrate as they prepare for commencement. PHOTO BY: MAGGIE BECK/UNCW Celebrating Mother's Day with love and pride as mothers receive their diplomas and heartfelt hugs. PHOTO BY: MAGGIE BECK/UNCW