UNCW Fall 2025 Commencement Ceremonies Set for Dec. 13

UNCW will host its fall commencement ceremonies on Saturday, Dec. 13 in Trask Coliseum. A time-honored tradition, the ceremonies signify an important milestone as students officially become graduates of the university. 

More than 2,450 students applied to graduate, according to preliminary numbers. The number includes more than 750 students who completed their graduation requirements over the summer. 

The first ceremony of the day is at 9 a.m. for the Graduate School (includes master's and doctoral graduates from the five colleges). 

Undergraduate ceremony schedule

• 1 p.m. — Cameron School of Business, College of Health and Human Services and Watson College of Education
• 5 p.m. — College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts and College of Science and Engineering 

Each ceremony is expected to last approximately two hours, with doors opening one hour before the start time. Graduates should report to Hanover Gym no later than 45 minutes before their respective ceremonies. Faculty should report to Trask Coliseum, Room 117 in their regalia at least 30 minutes prior to their college’s ceremony. 

All ceremonies will be livestreamed. The livestream will begin approximately one hour before the ceremony start time. Rebroadcasts will be available on the livestream page shortly after the ceremony.   

In addition to the main ceremonies, many campus departments and academic units will host departmental receptions and celebrations from Dec. 11-13. These events are not livestreamed.

Parking on Commencement Day  

Hanover Lot (gated) and Eaton Plaza will be closed on Saturday to support commencement. Please plan accordingly for increased traffic on and around campus that day. General parking for graduates and guests during the commencement ceremonies will be available in the Trask Lot, with overflow parking available in Hamilton Lot. Guests with a state-issued disability placard are encouraged to park in the Trask Lot at Wagoner Drive. 

Those without a state-issued disability placard can drop off guests in front of Trask Coliseum prior to being directed to a parking space. Graduates and guests are encouraged to arrive early, exercise caution and patience, and consider carpooling. Please observe posted signs and refrain from parking on the grass or fields.   

The Office of Transition Programs, in collaboration with many campus partners, coordinates commencement and related activities.

Questions:

• Visit uncw.edu/commencement 
• Direct inquiries to commencement@uncw.edu