Congratulations To Our May Graduates!

May 15, 2017 | Academics

By: UNC Athletic Communications

Carolina Athletics congratulates the more than 6,000 students, including nearly 4,000 undergraduates, who became University of North Carolina alumni when commencement ceremonies were held Sunday at Kenan Stadium. Included in that group are 92 student-athletes who completed their degrees this spring.

Oh, the places you'll go!
Congratulations Tar Heels! #GoHeels pic.twitter.com/nb4iQN8JC9
— UNC Tar Heels (@GoHeels) May 14, 2017

In addition to the many UNC student-athletes wearing Carolina blue graduation robes Sunday, some Tar Heels were in Carolina blue uniforms, representing the University in competition and earning even more reasons for celebration.

Rowing and track and field both competed at their Atlantic Coast Conference championships, rowing in Clemson, S.C., and track in Atlanta. The UNC baseball team played at Virginia Tech, a day after locking up the ACC Coastal Division title.

Carolina women's lacrosse and women's tennis both competed at home on Sunday, advancing in NCAA Tournament play. And men's golf was in California, preparing for the start of post-season play on Monday at Stanford.

Congrats to the graduating class of 2017. The Tar Heels will host Virginia today at 1pm at Fetzer Field. https://t.co/ntavs9ySiK #GoHeels pic.twitter.com/mNwALyjmG6
— UNC Women's Lacrosse (@uncwlax) May 14, 2017

Sr. Haley Carter went to graduation went on to make clinching pt. for @UNC_wtennis - moving on to NCAA next round! Congrats! #GDTBATH pic.twitter.com/4VcKhZmV2D
— Carol Folt (@ChancellorFolt) May 14, 2017

In recognition of the fact that some student-athletes were unable to attend Sunday's commencement, the Department of Athletics celebrated those students last Sunday (May 7) with a reception in the Blue Zone at the Loudermilk Center. Chancellor Carol Folt recognized the soon-to-be grads, noting that they arrived in Chapel Hill the same year she did. She applauded their hard work and the fact that they've balanced a large time commitment to their sports while also working toward their degrees.

The group, which included seniors, their families, their coaches and department staff, also heard from Ezra Baeli-Wang, a senior on the Carolina men's fencing team who served as co-president of Student-Athlete Advisory Council, and from Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham.

Wishing Davis Bateman, Zachary Martin, and Henry Do a happy graduation day...congrats gentlemen! pic.twitter.com/yZdPH66KsJ
— UNC Men's Golf (@UNCmensGolf) May 14, 2017

Folt, who attended the NCAA women's lacrosse and women's tennis contests on Sunday following commencement, spoke of seeing Tar Heel student-athletes not only at sporting events but at a range of campus activities. “When I got to different events, a service event or a Phi Beta Kappa event, and suddenly I'm seeing students from all different areas – athletes, student government, artists – they're all participating in all aspects of this university, and that just makes me feel so proud,” Folt told the seniors.

They ended the ceremony the same way the commencement did on Sunday, with the singing of the alma mater and a toss of caps into the air.

“This is not really leaving,” Folt told the group. “It's the start of your next big thing.”

Best wishes to all of the student-athlete May graduates!

Congratulations to our graduates 🎓 and THANK YOU to their families! #UNC17 #UNCgrad pic.twitter.com/Cq3dBdOMZX
— UNC Men's Tennis (@carolinatennis) May 15, 2017

2017 May Graduates

Kristin Aloi (gymnastics)

RJ Alowonle (men's track and field)

Alexis Amato (rowing)

Maggie Auslander (women's lacrosse)

Ezra Baeli-Wang (men's fencing)

Mikey Bart (football)

Davis Bateman (men's golf)

Josh Beals (men's swimming & diving)

Amanda Benninghoff (women's track & field)

Kristy Bernatchez (field hockey)

Egan Berne (rowing)