COMMENCEMENT
Meredith College 2025 Commencement
Meredith College will celebrate the Class of 2025 at commencement on Saturday, May 10.
- The Undergraduate Ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. in the courtyard area of Johnson Hall.
- The Graduate Commencement and Hooding Ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. in Jones Auditorium.
- Members of the Class of 2025 will be able to request tickets for guests. Ticket allowances and reservation information will be announced to graduates soon.
- The College will provide a Live Stream to allow for additional participation.
- Graduation regalia, including caps, gowns, and hoods, can be ordered from the Meredith College Campus Store. Ordering information has been shared with the graduating class via email.
- To ensure proper pronunciation of their names, students can leave a message on the pronunciation hotline: (919) 760-2020.
More details will be added to this site throughout the spring semester. Check back frequently for more information!

Commencement Weekend Schedule of Major Events
- Time: 2 p.m.
- Location: Jones Auditorium
- Time: 4 p.m.
- Location: McIver Amphitheater
- Rain Site: Jones Auditorium
Class Day Rehearsal: Thursday, May 8 at 6 p.m., McIver Amphitheater (Rain site: Jones Auditorium)
- 10 a.m.
- Courtyard
- Graduates should arrive 30 minutes prior to their ceremony’s start time. Please do not arrive more than 45 minutes prior.
- Time: 1 p.m.
- Location: Carswell Concert Hall
- 2 – 3 p.m.
- Jones Auditorium
- 4 – 5:30 p.m.
- Amphitheatre
- Rain Site: Jones Auditorium with line up in Studio/Carswell
Class Day Rehearsal is Thursday, May 9, 2024
- 4 – 6 p.m. for Sophomores
6 – 7 p.m. for Seniors - Amphitheatre
- Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- Location: Jones Auditorium
- Reception to follow in Jones Lobby
- Time: 6-7 p.m.
- Location: Carswell Concert Hall
- Reception to follow in Wainwright Lobby/Patio
- 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.
- Courtyard
- Graduates should arrive 30 minutes prior to their ceremony’s start time. Please do not arrive more than 45 minutes prior.
- Time: 1:30-2:30 p.m.
- Location: Mall between Harris and Science and Mathematics Building
- Rain site: Kresge Auditorium
- Reception in Harris Hall
- Time: 11 a.m.
- Location: Carswell Concert Hall
- Reception to follow in Wainwright Lobby/Patio
Commencement Registration FAQs
The 2024 Commencement Ceremonies will be held in the Courtyard behind Johnson Hall. Hooding Ceremonies for graduate programs will be on various dates and locations on campus. Please check with your program coordinator for more information on Hooding Ceremonies.
Children two (2) years of age and under do not need a ticket, provided they stay in a lap. Strollers are not encouraged as they block aisles.
Caps, gowns, and graduate degree hoods are available for purchase through the Campus Store. Details have been provided to your Meredith email address. Please direct questions to the Campus Store at (919) 760-8545 or campusstore@meredith.edu.
Ensure you are using your Meredith student email (@email.meredith.edu or @meredith.edu). If your email still isn’t working, contact commencement@meredith.edu for assistance.
Accessibility accommodations can be requested for graduates or graduate guests using this Google Form. Graduates should submit the form, regardless of whether the request is for the graduate or one of the graduate’s guests.
- If you are attending the 8:30 a.m. ceremony, you should enter through the Hillsborough Street entrance. You may park in Parking Lots 1, 2, 15, 16, 17, and 18.
- If you are attending the 11 a.m. ceremony, you should enter campus through the Faircloth Street gate. You may park in Parking Lots 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, and 12.
Please see the Meredith College Campus Map for additional guidance.
Yes, when you attend the Courtyard Commencement Ceremony, you should arrive wearing your hood, since hooding ceremonies are being held separately.
Diplomas will be, or have been, mailed to the address listed on your application for graduation.
A comprehensive rain plan will be shared with graduates prior to Commencement. Students will be notified of this decision via the Commencement website, email, and social media. Notification will only be sent in the event that the ceremony must be moved indoors.
Senior portraits have been taken. Depending on when you sign up, you may still be able to have your image taken at one of our vendor’s senior portrait studios by going to prestigeportraits.com/studio.
To ensure all families are able to see their graduates, please refrain from bringing large items such as posters, “fat heads,” and balloons to the ceremony as they can block other attendees’ view.
Academic Regalia
Undergraduate Regalia
Undergraduate students wear maroon gowns and maroon mortarboards.
The tassel worn pertains to the academic degree being received.
- Bachelor of Arts: black tassel
- Bachelor of Music: pink tassel
- Bachelor of Science: gold tassel
- Bachelor of Social Work: white tassel
Undergraduate students in regalia wear the tassel on the right side of the mortarboard. During the Commencement ceremony the students change the tassel to the left side, signifying they have earned their degrees.
Undergraduate students may decorate the top of the mortarboard.
Many participants wear international flag patches, which are worn by students, faculty, and staff who have lived, studied, or done research abroad, including international students and faculty. These patches are the only embellishments permitted on the commencement gowns. Graduates may not embroider or otherwise decorate their gowns.
Graduate Regalia
Graduate students wear a black gown, undecorated black mortarboard, black tassel, and a hood.
Hoods, which are given during the Graduate Hooding Ceremony, reflect the color of the academic discipline.
- Biomedical Sciences: gold
- Business: drab
- Education: light blue
- Nutrition: gold
- Psychology: gold
- Criminal Justice: blue
Graduate students in regalia wear the tassel on the left side of the mortarboard as they have already graduated (earned the undergraduate degree). They do not change the tassel during the Commencement ceremony.
What kind of enhancements can graduating students add to their commencement attire?
The College’s Policy on Cultural Identity Enhancements to Academic Regalia at Meredith College’s Commencement Ceremonies states:
Meredith College’s commencement exercises are a dignified celebration of our graduates’ academic achievement. Caps and gowns, also known as academic regalia, are worn to signify this achievement. To honor cultural heritage and identity, graduates are encouraged to wear adornments such as cultural stoles reflecting their cultural heritage and salient identities, provided they are respectful of others and refrain from making political statements.
To ensure the ceremony is conducted with the appropriate tradition and respect for the event, the College reserves the right to restrict items during graduation if such items may result in a disruption or interference with the graduation ceremony.
These practices will be periodically reviewed and amended as necessary to accommodate changes in graduation traditions, recognition practices, or the College’s guidelines.
Cultural Stole and Cord Policy FAQs
Meredith College’s commencement exercises are a dignified celebration of our graduates’ academic achievement. To ensure the ceremony is conducted with the appropriate respect for the event, the College reserves the right to restrict items during graduation if such items may disrupt or interfere with the graduation ceremony.
In support of diversity and cultural expression, graduates can wear enhancements representing their cultural heritage provided they are respectful of others and refrain from making political statements.
A cultural stole is a piece of regalia graduates may wear to express and honor their cultural heritage. It allows students to proudly display their heritage, ethnicity, and cultural affiliations. Cultural stoles typically feature colors, symbols, or patterns that are significant to the graduate’s cultural background.
Kente: A Kente stole is a woven cloth, originating from Ghanaian tradition, that was historically reserved for royalty but has now become a symbol of pride and accomplishment. It is worn draped over the shoulders like a scarf, similar to traditional graduation stoles. Typically, Kente stoles are worn to signify various achievements, graduations, or significant life events. *Kente Stole History
Sarape Sashes: These sashes are inspired by traditional Mexican sarapes, featuring vivid bands of colors and often adorned with embroidered letters or symbols. Sarape sashes are a symbol of celebration and cultural pride, representing the rich heritage of Mexico and Latinx communities.
LGBTQ+: Serve as a visual representation of the wearer’s identity within the LGBTQ+ community. These stoles commonly showcase the rainbow flag, which has become universally acknowledged as a symbol of LGBTQ+ pride.
*These are examples rather than an exhaustive list.
An example of a political statement that would be discouraged during a commencement ceremony is a graduate wearing an enhancement expressing strong opinions on a controversial political topic or endorsing a specific political ideology, candidate, or political movement. For instance, advocating for a political policy, making partisan remarks, or engaging in explicit political activism during commencement would be considered inappropriate.
During commencement ceremonies, many students, faculty, and staff wear international flag patches to signify that they have lived, studied, or done research abroad. These patches are the only embellishments permitted on the commencement gowns.
Graduates may not embroider or otherwise decorate their gowns. Decorating mortarboards (commonly called caps) is allowed and is a longtime tradition at Meredith.
Members of official academic honor societies can wear approved cords or other visual recognitions of that society. For example, members of Sigma Tau Delta, the English honor society, can wear a cord and members of the newly formed Meredith chapter of the national Phi Kappa Phi campus-wide academic honor society can wear medallions. Cords for participation in activities or organizations are not approved.

At Meredith, Joselyn Marroquin Aparicio, ’22, discovered a passion for studying the reproductive system and maternity health. She hopes to encourage other Latina women to pursue their dreams and earn a college degree.

Psychology major Sophie Lee, ’22, came to Meredith ready to take on new challenges. Identifying her strengths helped her decide on a career path, which includes pursuing a master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational psychology at Meredith.

Class president and environmental sustainability major Casey Corpening, ’22, is a Meredith College and NC Teaching Fellow. After graduation, Casey is applying her strengths to the classroom as a middle school teacher in the Wake County Public School System.
Tag us on Social Media
#MCGrad25, #MCGoingStrong, #MeredithCollege
School of Business students, please RSVP for our open brunch with Dean Burke by February 22nd. This is a great opportunity to connect with our dean and enjoy a meal together! If you have any questions please email Stephanie Winfrey at swwinfrey@meredith.edu.
An RSVP is required for this event. https://buff.ly/40DSNdm
MeredithCollege Meredith_MBA Meredith_Accelerated_MBA MCHosTourism
#MeredithCollege #MeredithCollegeSchoolofBusiness

School of Business students, please RSVP for our open brunch with Dean Burke by February 22nd. This is a great opportunity to connect with our dean and enjoy a meal together! If you have any questions please email Stephanie Winfrey at swwinfrey@meredith.edu.
An RSVP is required for this event. https://buff.ly/40DSNdm
MeredithCollege Meredith_MBA Meredith_Accelerated_MBA MCHosTourism
#MeredithCollege #MeredithCollegeSchoolofBusiness
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#MeredithCollege #MeredithCollegeSchoolofBusiness #MCBizRadio

Here are our 5th and 6th MC Biz Radio winners for the "Love and Anti-Love Songs" playlist! Congrats! If you haven`t submitted your songs, there is still time and there are still llamas!! We are going to have more winners every day this week!
#MeredithCollege #MeredithCollegeSchoolofBusiness #MCBizRadio
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You can catch all of our choral ensembles at their winter concert on March 2nd at 3pm in Jones Chapel!
#meredithcollege #meredithcollegemusic #womencomposers #newmsuic #choralmusic

Happy #MusicMonday! Here`s a clip of meredithchoirs Chorale singing the premiere performance of Evening Hymn by Dr. Sabrina Clarke, Assistant Professor, Music Theory / Composition!
You can catch all of our choral ensembles at their winter concert on March 2nd at 3pm in Jones Chapel!
#meredithcollege #meredithcollegemusic #womencomposers #newmsuic #choralmusic
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meredithasid
#asid #meredithcollege #designstudent #furniturelibrary #bienenstockfurniturelibrary #interiordesignerslife #interiordesignstudent

We thoroughly enjoyed having the Meredith College ASID student chapter from Raleigh, NC, visit the Bienenstock Furniture Library today for an exclusive tour! We love showcasing our library as an invaluable resource for both design students and professional designers!
meredithasid
#asid #meredithcollege #designstudent #furniturelibrary #bienenstockfurniturelibrary #interiordesignerslife #interiordesignstudent
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And don’t forget—Super Bowl Sunday is just around the corner! 🏈 Enjoy $5 craft pints all day long! Bring your food, friends, family, and of course, your pets, for an evening full of football and fun. 🍻🎉 See you there!
We also offer delivery around the clock⏰ stock up on all your pre game favorites or gift a loved one for Valentine’s Day❤️🚗💨
#furryfriendfriday #superbowl #kendricklamar #bottleshop #craftbeer #raleigh #ncsu #meredithcollege #petfriendly

Happy Furry Friend Friday! 🐾🐶 Join us today with your furry companions for a refreshing draft beer or glass of wine while soaking in this gorgeous day. Check out some of the sweetest four-legged visitors we had this week! 🐕❤️
And don’t forget—Super Bowl Sunday is just around the corner! 🏈 Enjoy $5 craft pints all day long! Bring your food, friends, family, and of course, your pets, for an evening full of football and fun. 🍻🎉 See you there!
We also offer delivery around the clock⏰ stock up on all your pre game favorites or gift a loved one for Valentine’s Day❤️🚗💨
#furryfriendfriday #superbowl #kendricklamar #bottleshop #craftbeer #raleigh #ncsu #meredithcollege #petfriendly
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#area #nchairbraider #raleighbraider #kidsstyles #styledbysephora #nc #braids #wigs #waketech #ncstateuniversity #uncchapelhill #shawuniversity #dukeuniversity #menhairsstyles #meredithcollege #blackgirlbraids #support #facebook #blackgirl #twitter #tiktok #blackownedbusiness #instagram #exploremore #explorepage #supportsmallbusinesses #travelstylist #explore #charlotteknotlessbraids #greensborobraider

Brick by Brick !!!!! Soo prefectly done !!!!
I loveee this deep wave curl washed !! It not super tight but still has a curl
#area #nchairbraider #raleighbraider #kidsstyles #styledbysephora #nc #braids #wigs #waketech #ncstateuniversity #uncchapelhill #shawuniversity #dukeuniversity #menhairsstyles #meredithcollege #blackgirlbraids #support #facebook #blackgirl #twitter #tiktok #blackownedbusiness #instagram #exploremore #explorepage #supportsmallbusinesses #travelstylist #explore #charlotteknotlessbraids #greensborobraider
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Grammy’s had us and Beyoncé like 😳…Comment who you think got snubbed this year!
#lovewhereyoulive #livestanhope #ncsu #nowleasing #meredithcollege
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30. Spotify Wrapped 2024!
#podcast #meredithcollege

🎙️In case you didn’t know, last week our episode Spotify Wrapped 2024 came out! Now on Spotify!
30. Spotify Wrapped 2024!
#podcast #meredithcollege
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