Area colleges get ready for graduation

It is graduation season at local colleges and universities. The flurry of spring commencement ceremonies begins this weekend as proud families gather to celebrate the academic accomplishments of the next generation.

The identity of the commencement speaker is a key element of the day. High-profile people from worlds as varied as entertainment to the anti-apartheid movement are on the program for at Triangle-area universities. 

If you have a grad to celebrate, be sure to share your photos with WRAL so that we can add those smiling faces to the Class of 2009 gallery.

Graduation dates, times, details

Duke: Sunday, 10 a.m. at Wallace Wade Stadium.
Oprah Winfrey will deliver the commencement address.

Louisburg College: Saturday, 11 a.m. in the auditorium.
United States Attorney George E.B. Holding will speak on the topic of public service.

Meredith College: Sunday, 10 a.m. in the amphitheater. In the event of inclement weather, commencement will be held at the J.S. Dorton Arena on the N.C. State Fairgrounds.
Sarah Parker, chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, will deliver the commencement address.

North Carolina Central University: May 16, 8 a.m. in the O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium on the NCCU campus.
Marc H. Morial, president and chief executive officer of the National Urban League, will be the commencement speaker.

North Carolina State University: Saturday, 9 a.m. at RBC Center.
Scientist John Seely Brown, independent co-chairman of the Deloitte Center for Edge Innovation and a visiting scholar and advisor to the provost at the University of Southern California, will give the commencement address.

Peace College: Saturday, 10 a.m. on the College Green.
Cynthia Marshall, president of AT&T North Carolina, will deliver the commencement address.

Shaw University: Saturday, 11 a.m. at the Raleigh Convention Center.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson, D-Texas, will be the commencement speaker.

St. Augustine’s: Saturday, 10:30 a.m. on the quadrangle, in the center of campus. In the event of rain, commencement will be held in Emory Gymnasium.
Tom Joyner, philanthropist and radio host, will deliver the commencement address.

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill: Sunday, 9:30 a.m. at Kenan Stadium. In the event of inclement weather the ceremony will be moved to the Dean E. Smith Center.
Desmond Tutu, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and renowned South African anti-apartheid campaigner, will deliver the commencement address.