A journey to coastal North Carolina with your sights set on the sand and sun is always an appealing option for travelers. While locations like Carolina Beach and Kure Beach are loved year-round for their relaxing and inviting vibes, it’s a place that often beckons to visitors in May who are heading this way to be a part of the University of North Carolina Wilmington graduation weekend. This annual spring event is one graduates, their families, and friends always look forward to enjoying as students take the next step in their educational journey and accept the degree they’ve worked so hard to earn. Graduation ceremonies this time of year are assigned by degree program, college, and school. No matter which event you end up attending, it’s sure to be an exciting weekend in Wilmington.
Event Overview
The UNC Wilmington graduation weekend is scheduled for May 10 and May 11 in 2024. Graduates and guests will want to plan to attend these meaningful ceremonies in Trask Coliseum. The graduate programs ceremony will be held on May 10 at noon and will include all master’s and doctoral graduates across all five campus colleges. Undergraduate ceremonies for the College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts will be held on May 10 at 4:00 pm while the Cameron School of Business and Watson College of Education ceremony will kick things off on Saturday, May 11 at 9:00 am. This will be followed by the College of Health and Human Services ceremony at 1:00 pm and the College of Science and Engineering ceremony at 5:00 pm.
How to Get There
The Trask Coliseum is an inviting venue for graduation weekend thanks to its capacity to seat upward of 5,200 guests at a time. There’s chairback seating on both the upper and lower levels and bleacher seating is available in the coliseum as well. If you’re driving to Trask Coliseum following I-40, you’ll find this route becomes College Road once the interstate ends. Continue following College Road for 3 miles before turning left onto Randall Drive. This brings you directly onto the UNCW campus where you’ll turn right onto Wagoner Drive and find the Trask Coliseum located a quarter mile down the road on the left. Graduates and guests who are heading to Trask Coliseum from the Wilmington International Airport will take the first left onto 23rd Street before turning left onto Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. Continue following US 132/College Road to Randall Drive before turning right onto Wagoner Drive and reaching Track Coliseum on the left.
Planning Specifics
When you’re planning to attend graduation, it’s good to note that doors for the ceremony will open an hour before it begins. Each ceremony lasts approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, and most departments host a reception to follow. Graduates receive two commemorative programs that host a list of all graduates as a meaningful keepsake of the experience. If you plan to attend the in-person ceremony, a ticket will be required for entrance for all family members and friends of graduates. Depending on the ceremony, graduates have a limited number of tickets they can claim for guests. Once you arrive at Trask Coliseum, you’ll need to present your ticket or provide the door attendant with a QR code to scan.
Where to Stay During UNC Wilmington Graduation
At Victory Beach Vacations, we have vacation rental options in the Carolina Beach and Kure Beach areas that are ideal for enjoying a luxurious stay when you’re in town for graduation weekend. Reach out today to learn more and to start planning!
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Trask Coliseum from Wilmington International Airport?
Those who are flying in for graduation weekend will find that the distance between the Wilmington International Airport and Trask Coliseum is no more than 7 miles meaning a 15-minute drive in good traffic.
Is it possible to obtain a visitor visa for family members who want to attend the ceremony?
Yes. Those needing to obtain a visitor visa for graduation weekend will need to reach out to the Office of International Students and Scholars at UNC Wilmington in advance.