Graduation and Commencement Information
Join us at the college and university commencement ceremonies to celebrate and honor our graduates and their achievements.
Schedule of Events
There are two commencement ceremonies: the College of Natural Resources ceremony and the university ceremony. For more information on the university ceremony, visit the University Commencement website. See below for the differences between the ceremonies and for additional details on the College of Natural Resources ceremony.
| College Commencement | University Commencement | |
| Date | Friday, May 8, 2026 | Saturday, May 9, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 a.m. | 9:00 a.m. |
| Location | Reynolds Coliseum 2411 Dunn Avenue Raleigh, NC 27607 | Carter-Finley Stadium 4600 Trinity Rd. Raleigh, NC 27607 |
| Who’s Invited | All College of Natural Resources graduates | All NC State graduates |
| How Recognized | Individually (each graduate’s name is called) | By college |
| Printed Program | All graduate names printed | No names printed (available online) |
| Academic Regalia | Required | Required |
| Guest Tickets | Reservations required through a form emailed to graduates. There’s a limited number of guests per graduate. There are no physical tickets. | Not required |
| RSVP | Required | Required |
| Stage Use | All graduating students walk across the stage. | Only doctoral candidates walk across the stage. Master’s and bachelor’s degree candidates stand as groups. |
College of Natural Resources Spring Commencement Ceremony
Friday, May 8, 2026
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Location: Reynolds Coliseum
2411 Dunn Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27607
Graduating students must arrive in regalia no later than 6:30 a.m.
The college’s commencement ceremony is held for all undergraduate and graduate students in the following units:
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources
- Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
- Department of Forest Biomaterials
- Center for Geospatial Analytics
Spring 2026 Graduation Deadlines
- February 9, 2026
- Graduation application closes for all undergraduate students
- March 25, 2026
- Graduation application closes for all graduate students
- March 27, 2026
- Deadline to update privacy settings, diploma name and diploma mailing address for all undergraduate and graduate students
How to pick up your cap and gown:
- The NC State Bookstore sells all graduate apparel at its location in Talley Student Union.
- No preordering is necessary, but all apparel must be paid for at the time of pickup.
- You must present a photo ID.
- Caps, gowns and tassels range from $35 to $55.
- Hoods for graduate students cost about $37.
Event Information
Seating Information
- Reserved seating at the college ceremony at Reynolds Coliseum is required.
- Graduating students must reserve seats in advance for their guests by completing the CNR Graduation RSVP Google form, which will be sent by email. The deadline to complete the form is April 3, 2026. Each graduate may reserve up to 10 seats. Students can request additional seats on the form, and they will be notified by April 17, 2026 if their request can be accommodated.
- Doors open at about 6:45 a.m. for guests needing accessible seating and at about 7 a.m. for all other guests.
- Bags will be inspected at the entrance. Flowers and sealed water bottles are permitted. The following items are prohibited: glass vases, helium balloons, wrapped gifts (including gift bags) and food.
- Reynolds Coliseum has accessible seating for guests who use wheelchairs. Additional seating is available for those who cannot climb stairs. These seats are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests who need accessible seating can enter through the front doors or North Entrance at 6:45 a.m. Once inside, go left and take the elevators to the second floor to reach the accessible seating area.
- Plan ahead by viewing the virtual tour of Reynolds Coliseum.
Parking Information
- Parking is available in the Coliseum Deck, 201 Jensen Dr. Raleigh, NC 27606. View the NC State Parking Map for reference.
- The first two bays of the Jeter Bays Lot, next to Reynolds Coliseum, will be reserved for ADA parking only. Attendees will need a DMV-issued ADA placard displayed to access the area. See the NC State Campus Parking Accessibility Map for details. See the NC State Campus Parking Accessibility Map for details.
Reception Information
Receptions will be held immediately following the ceremony at 9:30 in the college’s buildings.
- Department of Forest Biomaterials: Pulp and Paper Lab lobby and patio
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources: Jordan Hall lobby and patio
- Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management: Biltmore Hall first- and second-floor lobbies and the Dogwood Courtyard
- Center for Geospatial Analytics: Jordan Hall, Geovisualization Lab (Room 5111)
Photography Information
A professional photographer will take a photo of each graduating student as they cross the stage and a posed photo before they return to their seat. Proofs will be emailed after graduation and may be ordered directly from the photographer. For information, call 800-722-7033 or email info@photospecialties.com.
Livestream Information
For friends and family who would like to watch the college ceremony remotely, a livestream video link will be posted on this site and emailed to graduating students.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the differences between the university and college ceremonies?
The university commencement ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, May 9, at 9 a.m. at Carter-Finley Stadium, is for all NC State graduates. Students will be recognized by college, and only doctoral candidates will walk across the stage.
The College of Natural Resources commencement ceremony will be held Friday, May 8, at 7:30 a.m. at Reynolds Coliseum and is for graduating CNR students. At this ceremony, every graduating CNR student in attendance will have their name called and walk across the stage.
You must RSVP for each ceremony separately. Visit commencement.ncsu.edu for information about the universitywide ceremony.
What is the difference between graduation and commencement?
Graduating from college and walking across the stage at a commencement ceremony are two different but closely related milestones. Graduation marks the completion of your degree requirements, while commencement celebrates those accomplishments and looks toward the future.
If I graduate in the summer, which ceremony do I walk in?
Students planning to finish their degree requirements in the summer may be eligible to participate in the college’s spring commencement ceremony. To be eligible, students must have no more than 12 credit hours remaining, to be completed during the summer, and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
When is my graduation application due?
See deadline details here.
- The undergraduate application is due by February 9, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. for Spring 2026.
- The graduate application is due by March 25, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. for Spring 2026.
- The undergraduate application is due by May 18, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. for Summer I 2026
- The undergraduate application is due by July 9, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. for Summer II 2026
- The graduate application is due by June 29, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. for Summer II 2026
How do I apply to graduate?
Apply in MyPack. For detailed instructions, visit: https://studentservices.ncsu.edu/your-degree/graduation/apply-for-graduation/
I don’t want my name to appear in the commencement program. What can I do?
Apply in MyPack. For detailed instructions visit: https://studentservices.ncsu.edu/your-resources/privacy/
How can I make sure my name is pronounced correctly?
A Google form will be sent in the weeks leading up to graduation. The form will request information needed to prepare for the ceremony. Be sure to spell out your name and include a phonetic pronunciation to help ensure that your name is pronounced correctly as you walk across the stage.
How are honors determined?
Academic honors are based on your cumulative GPA. For commencement recognition purposes, the cumulative GPA at the beginning of your final semester will be used for publications and the ceremony. However, your diploma and official transcript will reflect the academic honor you earn once your final grades are posted.
What GPA do I need for academic honors, and what sash color corresponds to each honor?
- Summa Cum Laude: 3.75 and higher GPA (GOLD sash)
- Magna Cum Laude: 3.5-3.749 GPA (SILVER sash)
- Cum Laude: 3.25-3.499 GPA (WHITE sash)
Where is accessible parking for the college’s commencement ceremony?
The first two bays of the Jeter Bays Lot, next to Reynolds Coliseum, are reserved for ADA parking during the ceremony. A DMV-issued ADA placard is required to access this area.
If the Jeter Bays ADA parking area is full, guests may drop off at the North Entrance via Dunn Avenue and park in the Coliseum Parking Deck.
For more information, view the NC State Campus Parking Accessibility Map.
Where is accessible guest seating for the college’s commencement ceremony?
Accessible guest seating at Reynolds Coliseum is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests with accessible seating needs may enter beginning at approximately 6:45 a.m. Doors open for all other guests at 7 a.m.
Guests needing accessible seating may enter through the front doors or the north entrance. Inside the front doors, take the elevator on the left to the accessible seating area on the south side of the second floor. Wheelchair seating is available near Section 207, and nearby rows can be reached without using stairs. Signs will mark the reserved accessible seating area, and friends and family may sit nearby.
What do I bring as a graduate to the college’s commencement ceremony?
There will be no place to store personal belongings, so please bring only essential items. You may also bring a sealed water bottle if you wish.
Which side of the graduation cap should the tassel be on at the start of the ceremony?
Bachelor’s degree candidates wear the tassel on the right side of their cap and move it to the left at the conclusion of the university’s commencement ceremony. Candidates for professional, master’s and doctoral degrees wear the tassel on the left side of the cap.
Where do graduates assemble for the college’s commencement ceremony?
Graduating students will enter Reynolds Coliseum through the East Entrance in full regalia by 6:30 a.m. Signs and staff will direct graduates to check-in areas on commencement day.
Assembly locations by department:
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources: East Lobby
- Department of Forest Biomaterials: East Lobby
- Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management: West Lobby
- Center for Geospatial Analytics: West Lobby
Graduates will line up by department, major and then alphabetically, matching the order of names in the program.
Where do guests assemble for the college’s commencement ceremony?
Guests will enter through the main entrance of Reynolds Coliseum. Doors will open at 6:45 a.m. for guests needing accessible seating and at 7:00 a.m. for all other guests.
Are my guests allowed to come down to the main floor and take photos?
No
How long will the ceremony last?
The ceremony is expected to last about 90 minutes.
Additional Questions?
Contact the Academic Affairs Office at 919-515-6191, by email at cnr-graduation@ncsu.edu, or in person at Biltmore Hall 2018.