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Poole College of Management

Spring Undergraduate Commencement

Saturday, May 3 | 6:00 p.m. | Reynolds Coliseum

*TICKETS REQUIRED*
Watch virtually via YouTube
#NCState25 #NCStatePoole

Know Before You Go

Please read these important instructions for all graduates and guests attending the event.

Register to Participate

  • Apply to Graduate:
    • In order to participate in the University Ceremony at Carter Finley or the Poole College Ceremony at Reynolds, you must have been approved to graduate.
    • To apply for graduation, please follow the directions listed here.
  • Register for the Poole Ceremony:
    • Once approved, you will automatically receive information about the University Ceremony. If you wish to attend the Poole College Ceremony, you must fill out this registration form. 
    • Filling out the registration form will not only reserve your seat at the ceremony, but will also release your 5 guest tickets to you to pick up in Nelson Hall.
  • Mandatory Guest Tickets:
    • If you plan to bring guests to this event, each guest over 2 years old will require a ticket. As stated in the above bullet, the only way to obtain guest tickets is to fill out the registration form. 
    • More information about tickets can be found further down on this page. 

Time

  • Student check-in begins @ 4:30 p.m.
  • ADA accessibility begins @ 4:45 p.m.
  • General seating begins @ 5:00 p.m.
  • Student check-in closes @ 5:40 p.m.
  • Ceremony begins promptly @ 6:00 p.m.
    • If you are a guest who arrives after 6 p.m., you will be held in the lobby of Reynolds Coliseum until students have finished processing into the ceremony.

Directions and Parking

  • Directions:
    • Click here for a map of William Neal Reynolds Coliseum, located at 2411 Dunn Ave, Raleigh.
    • Please be aware that construction-related road closures may affect traffic flow. It may take you longer than usual to travel to campus and to park. Please plan accordingly.
  • General Parking:
  • ADA Parking: 
    • Guests with a valid disability placard or license plate may park in the Jeter Bay parking lot located directly next to Reynolds Coliseum. Parking attendants will be on-site to assist. Handicap parking is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Ticket Information

  • To ensure everyone’s safety and comfort, tickets are required for all guests over 2 years old.
  • Each graduate will receive 5 guest tickets – the graduating student does not need a ticket.
  • If a student does not need all of their tickets, they are free to give them away to another student if they choose, or leave them with the ticketing team.  
  • In the event of unclaimed tickets, a lottery will be announced to students mid-April via email.
  • Poole cannot reprint or replace lost tickets.
  • There is no will-call available onsite.

Instructions for Graduates

  • What to bring:
    • Please come wearing your graduation gown and have your cap with you. (You can order your cap and gown here.)
    • Personal items should be kept to a minimum since you need to carry them with you as you process into the ceremony.
    • Please click here for a full list of items not permitted inside Reynolds.
      • The exception to this list is that you ARE allowed to bring in outside water in a sealed water bottle.
  • Check-in:
    • All graduates must enter Reynolds Coliseum through the North entrance (off of Dunn Ave.)
    • Upon arrival, check in at your department’s designated table to receive your name card.
      At this time, please add the phonetic spelling of your name to your card if it is not noted there already. This will help our name readers during the ceremony. Please keep this card with you as you will need it to cross the stage. 
    • Once checked in, graduates will wait in designated areas of the Coliseum according to their department. (There will be signage and staff on site to help navigate.)
    • Restrooms and water fountains will be accessible.
  • Ceremony:
    • The ceremony will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m.
    • During the ceremony, all undergraduate degree recipients will walk across the stage while their name is being announced.
    • Graduates will pause at the center of the stage to receive their diploma.
      A photo will be taken by a professional photographer at this time.
    • We anticipate that the ceremony will last approximately 2 hours.
    • Out of respect for your fellow graduates and to allow all graduates and their families to enjoy the ceremony uninterrupted, we ask and expect that you remain for the entirety of the ceremony.

Information for Guests

  • Guest Seating:
    • Guests must enter the coliseum through the North entrance (off of Dunn Ave). All guests will be ushered to the second floor for seating.
    • Guest seating is on a first-come, first-served basis – no assigned seats.
    • Families and guests will not be allowed onto the main floor for photos during the ceremony.
  • ADA Seating:
    • ADA seating in the Coliseum is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. To help ensure access, we ask that ADA seats be used by ADA users and one accompanying guest.
    • For help with wheelchair-accessible seating and/or seating with no stairs, please visit the ADA Help Desk located directly inside the front doors of the Coliseum. Attendants will be on-site to assist.
    • Reynolds Coliseum does not have wheelchairs on site for guest usage. 
  • Bag Policy:
    • All bags are subjected to search upon entry. Bags should be no larger than 12”x6”x12”.
    • An exception will be made for medically necessary items and diaper bags when accompanied by infants.
  • Lactation Room:
    • There is a lactation room located in the northwest corner of the facility, near the Navy ROTC offices, room number 191.
  • Service Animals:
  • Prohibited Items:  
    • Please click here for a full list of items not permitted inside Reynolds.
      The exception to this list is that guests ARE allowed to bring in outside water in a sealed water bottle.  
  • Livestream
    • Watch virtually via YouTube (Link to come)

Photography

  • As each graduate is handed their diploma, images will be taken by a professional photographer. 
  • Another photo will be taken with a backdrop when graduates exit the stage.
  • Each student will receive an email from the photographer with a link to the photographer’s website and instructions to view their graduation photographs.
  • If you do not receive a proof within 10 days of the ceremony, please contact info@photospecialities.com or call 919-967-9576.
For additional questions, please contact poole_graduation@ncsu.edu
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