More than 3,000 UNC undergraduates, master's students and Ph.D. candidates received their degrees in Commencement ceremonies held during a sunny but unusually cool Sunday morning.
As they awaited their final moment as UNC students, members of the class listened to several speakers, including Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., a UNC School of Law alumnus who delivered the event's keynote address. In his speech, Edwards stressed the importance of living a post-graduate life of decency and compassion.
"The people who succeed in this world are the people who pay less attention to their own needs than to the needs of others," Edwards said. "Society changes when each of its members is changed, changed for the better through the meaningful action of others."
Edwards' address was preceded by short speeches from a number of University officials, who each directed congratulations and praise towards the graduating students.
"This is your day!" shouted Chancellor James Moeser as he opened the ceremonies. "All of us join you in this traditional celebration of academic excellence."
Many students appeared to take Moeser's words to heart. Although each student wore a traditional Carolina blue cap and gown, many adorned their outfits with feather boas, oversized sunglasses or an assortment of giant balloons. Before, during and after they took their seats behind the west end zone of the stadium, the undergraduates could be heard shouting in celebration or in an attempt to find their parents in the crowd.
In contrast to the external jubilation of the undergraduates, most of the graduate students sat quietly in front of the stage on the field as they were honored with their degrees.
Speaking on their behalf, Graduate and Professional Student Federation President Mikisha Brown praised graduate students for their continued work ethic and dedication. "Today is proof of your ability to follow through to the end," Brown said.
Edwards, who along with medical humanitarian Verne Chaney and philanthropist Julian Robertson Jr. received honorary degrees from UNC on Sunday, said improving the lives of others would require physical and moral courage -- raits he hopes graduates had developed during their time at UNC.
