Commencement Information
Graduation is a special day for Meredith College students and their families. This site includes information needed to help Meredith graduates celebrate their accomplishments with family, friends and their Meredith community.
Important Information/Dates
- Account Balances
- Announcements
- Bookstore
- Caps and Gowns
- Invitations
- Photographs
- Videos and DVDs
- Graduation Events
- Location
- Inclement Weather Information
Account Balances
All unpaid balances on accounts for members of the Class of 2012 must be settled with the accounting office no later than noon, Friday, April 20, 2012. Failure to do so will delay graduates in receiving diplomas, in the processing of transcripts and will prevent a student from participating in the ceremony.
Announcements for Graduation
Announcements will need to be ordered from Josten's during SENIOR SALUTES Feb. 28-29 in the Cate Center lobby, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Bookstore
The bookstore on campus will be open Commencement Weekend during the following hours: Saturday, May 5, noon to 3 p.m. For bookstore information, please call (919) 760-8545.
Caps and Gowns
In February caps and gowns will be shipped to the bookstore. Your class president will be communicating with you about their arrival.
New for 2012: Graduates will wear Meredith’s school color for commencement exercises.
Meredith’s senior class has chosen to showcase the distinctiveness of their Meredith education by wearing maroon caps and gowns for the 2012 commencement exercises. Meredith undergraduates have chosen to distinguish themselves from area college graduates and visually express their pride in Meredith’s rich heritage and lasting legacy.
Invitations for Graduation
Invitations can be purchased from the bookstore beginning the second week in April.
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Photographs
Photo Specialties, located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, will be the professional photographers for Commencement. A photo will be taken of each graduate as the president presents diplomas. A proof will be mailed to each participating graduate. However, there will be no obligation to purchase photos. After Commencement, questions should be addressed directly to Photo Specialties at (919) 967-9576.
Videos and DVDs
Purchase of videos and DVDs of Commencement will be available through Meredith’s Media Services Department. For questions concerning purchase, please direct calls to Media Services at (919) 760-2346.
Baccalaureate Worship Service:
A worship service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 5, in Jones Auditorium. Members of the Class of 2012 will participate in their academic regalia. A special invitation is extended to families/guests, faculty and staff to join graduates for this service.
Commencement Practice:
Commencement practice is scheduled for Friday, May 4, at 3:30 p.m. in the Amphitheater. (Rain location will be Jones Auditorium.) Graduates may dress in casual attire for the practice. Attendance at practice is required.
Line-up for Class of 2012:
The Class of 2012 will gather in the courtyard area between Johnson Hall and Belk Dining Hall promptly at 8:30 a.m. on May 6 in preparation for line-up for the academic procession. Staff members from the Academic Programs Division will coordinate the procession line-up. Commencement exercises begin at 10 a.m. in McIver Amphitheater.
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Location
Commencement will be held in the Elva Bryan McIver Amphitheater on the campus at Meredith College. This location will allow unlimited seating. The rain location will be the J.S. Dorton Arena on the N.C. State Fairgrounds. Tickets will not be necessary for either location. Chairs with legs are permitted in the area surrounding the amphitheater, but not in the amphitheater itself.
Inclement Weather Information
In the event of inclement weather on Sunday, May 6, Commencement will be held at the J.S. Dorton Arena on the N.C. State Fairgrounds. The official decision regarding the location of Commencement will be announced on the Meredith web site and Inclement Weather Line (919-832-8878) prior to 7 a.m. on Sunday.
Graduates are asked to arrive at Meredith’s campus by 8:30 a.m. and line up in Jones Auditorium before being transported to the arena. Guests should proceed to the arena.
Information for Families and Guests
Tickets are not necessary for this location. Guests of graduates should proceed to the arena.
Information for the Faculty Processional
Faculty will need to assemble promptly at 9 am in the Rotunda of Johnson Hall. Transportation by bus will be provided from Johnson Hall leaving at 9:25 a.m. for Dorton Arena at the Fairgrounds. Immediately following the ceremony, faculty will be provided transportation by bus for return to campus.
Directions to Dorton Arena:
From Meredith College, travel west on Hillsborough Street to Blue Ridge Road. (Make a right out of the main entrance of Meredith’s campus.) Turn right onto Blue Ridge Road. Travel approximately a quarter mile and turn left onto Trinity Road. Guests will access parking through Gate 9 on the left side of Trinity Road. Handicapped parking is available. Travel on Hillsborough Street and access handicapped parking through Gate 2 on the right side of the street.
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