Commencement and Baccalaureate Speakers

1893
Commencement Speakers: His Excellency, Governor Elias Carr;Colonel Alex Q. Holliday; Honorable Thomas J. Jarvis; Dr. B.F. Dixon and others
Commencement Address: George T. Wilson, L.L.D.
1894
Annual Address: Hon. W.J. Bryan (Nebraska); John B. Gordon (General, Confederate Army)
Sermon: Bishop Rondthaler
1895
Speakers: Hon. Carroll D. Wright; Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler
Sermon: Reverend J. H. Boyd, D.D.
1896
Speakers: Introduction of Portrait of Zebulon B. Vance by Governor Elias Carr; Personal Reminiscences of Vance as a Man and Friend of Education by Hon. R. H. Battle
Annual Address: Hon. Charles W. Dabney, Jr. (Assitant Secretary of Agriculture of the United States)
Sermon: Reverend E. A. Yates, D.D.
1897
Speakers: Hon. J.L.M. Curry (General Agent of the Peabody Fund); Mr. Julian S. Carr
Address: Mr. Walter H. Page (Atlantic Monthly)
Sermon: Reverend Charles L. Hoffman
1898
Annual Address: Hon. James Hamilton Lewis (State of Washington)
Sermon: Reverend L. W. Crawford
1899
Y.W.C.A. Sermon: President E. A. Alderman (University of North Carolina)
Annual Address: Hon. Walter Clark
Sermon: Reverend J.O. Rust, D.D. (Nashville, TN)
1900
Address to Alumni Association: Dr. Miriam Bitting-Kennedy (NY)
Annual Address: Hon. John H. Small
Sermon: Reverend John S. Watkins, D.D.
Speaker: Hon. David A. DeArmond
1901
Annual Address: Dr. Henry Louis Smith
Sermon: Reverend Howard Rondthaler
1902
Adresses: Governor Charles B. Aycock and others
Sermon: Reverend Williams Adams Brown, D.D. (Union Theological Seminary, NY)
1903
Annual Address: W.W. Stetson, L.L.D. (State Superintendent of Public Instruction of Maine)
Sermon: Reverend Samuel M. Smith, D.D. (Columbia, SC)
1904
Annual Address: Governor Charles B. Aycock
Sermon: Reverend Robert Strange, D.D. (Richmond, VA)
1905
Annual Address: Hon. W. A. Hoke
Sermon: not found
1906
Adresses: Hon. O.T. Corson; Governor R.B. Glenn
Sermon: Reverend Egbert W. Smith, D.D. (Louisville, KY)
1907
Annual Address: Superintendent Martin G. Brumbaugh (Philadelphia, PA)
Sermon: Reverend James D. Paxton, D.D. (Lynchburg, VA)
1908
Annual Address: Hon. O.B. Martin (Columbia, SC)
Sermon: Reverend John E. White, D.D.
1909
Address to Alumni Association: Miss Mary Faison Devane (Class of 1897)
Annual Address: Talcott Williams, LL. D. (Philadelphia, PA)
Sermon: Reverend Wilbert W. White, D.D. (NYC)
1910
Address to Alumni Association: Miss Lewis Dull (1899)
Annual Address: Charles W. Dabney, LL. D. (President of the University of Cincinnati)
Sermon: Rev. John Smith Simon, D.D. (Manchester, England)
1911
Address to Alumni Association: Mrs. J.A. Brown
Annual Address: Gov. W. W. Kitchin
Sermon: Rev. T.H. Lewis, D.D. (Westminster, MD)
1912
Annual Address: Dr. Wilbur F. Tillett (Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN)
Sermon: Rev. H.D.C. MacLachlan, D.D. (Richmond, VA)
1913
Annual Address: Dr. S.C. Mitchell (University of South Carolina)
Sermon: Rev. Walter L. Lingle, D.D. (Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, VA)
1914
Annual Address: Dr. Stephen S. Wise (NY)
Sermon: Rev. William Wilkerson (Trinity Church, NYC)
1915
Annual Address: Hon. Locke Craig
Sermon: Rev. W.M. Vines, D.D. (Charlotte, NC)
1916
Address to Y.W.C.A.: Rev. W.T.D. Moss (Chapel Hill, NC)
Annual Address: Hon. Thomas R. Marshall (Vice-President of the United States)
Sermon: Dr. N.M. Watson (Chattanooga, TN)
1917
Annual Address: Mrs. Walter McNab Miller
Sermon: Rev. Robert L. Watson, D.D.
1918
Annual Address: Dr. Norman Angell
Sermon: Rev. T. W. O'Kelly (Pastor of First Baptist Church, Raleigh, NC)
1919
Y.W.C.A. Address: Lieutenant-Governor O. Max Gardner (Shelby, NC)
Annual Address: Dr. Anna Howard Shaw
Sermon: Bishop Warren A. Candler (Atlanta, GA)
1920
Annual Address: William Frederick Slocum, LL.D
Sermon: Rev. John R. Straton, D.D. (Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, NYC)
1921
Annual Address: Congressman M. Clyde Kelly (Pennsylvania)
Sermon: Rev. George Stoves, D.D. (Nashville, TN)
1922
Y.W.C.A. Sermon: Rev. Charles F. Myers, D.D. (Greensboro, NC)
Annual Address: Governor Cameron Morrison
Sermon: Rev. J.B. Massey, D.D. (Hampden-Sydney College, VA)
1923
Y.W.C.A. Vesper Service: Rev. John Haynes Holmes
Annual Address: Sir Israel Gollancz, London
Sermon: Rev. John Haynes Holmes (Pastor of Community Church, NYC)
1924
Y.W.C.A. Sermon: Rev. Solon B. Cousins
Annual Address: Dean W. D. Henderson (University of Michigan)
Sermon: Rev. Solon B. Cousins (Second Baptist Church, Richmond, VA)
1925
Annual Address: Dr. John Herman Randall (NY)
Sermon: Rev. J. Sprole Lyons, D.D. (Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, GA)
1926
Annual Address: Dr. Clarence Skinner (Tufts College, Boston, MA)
Sermon: Rev. Dunbar H. Ogden, D.D. (Government Street Presbyterian Church, Mobile, AL)
1927
Annual Address: Judge N.A. Townsend (Dunn, NC)
Sermon: Dr. William Pierson Merrill (Brick Presbyterian Church, NYC)
1928
Annual Address: Senator Walter F. George (GA)
Sermon: Dr. Russell Henry Stafford (Old South Church, Boston, MA)
1929
Annual Address: Dr. Edwin Mims (Vanderbilt University)
Sermon: Dr. B.R. Lacy (President Union Theological)
1930
Annual Address: Dr. T. V. Smith (University of Chicago)
Sermon: Dr. Rufus M. Jones (Professor of Philosophy, Haverford College)
1931
Annual Address: Deets Pickett (Research Secretary, Board of Temperance, Washington, DC)
Sermon: Dr. Franklin S. Hickman (Duke University)
1932
Annual Address: Edwin R. Embree (President, The Julius Rosenwald Fund, Chicago)
Sermon: Dr. W. Taliaferro Thompson (Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, VA)
1933
Annual Address: Senator Alben W. Barkley (KY)
Sermon: Dr. T. Guthrie Speers (Pastor of Brown Memorial Church, Baltimore, MD)
1934
Annual Address: Bishop Francis J. McConnell (NYC)
Sermon: Dr. B. R. Lacy, Jr. (President, Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, VA)
1935
Annual Address: Hon. Josephus Daniels (United States Ambassador to Mexico)
Sermon: Dr. Ralph W. Sockman (Christ Church, NYC)
1936
Annual Address: William E. Dodd (United States Ambassador to Germany)
Sermon: Dr. Russell Henry Stafford (Old South Church, Boston, MA)
1937
Addresses: Frank Porter Graham (President of the University of North Carolina); Justine Ullrich (President of the Class of 1937); Hon. Clyde Roark Hoey (Governor of NC)
Sermon: Rt. Rev. James E. Freeman, D.D. (Bishop of the Washington Cathedral, DC)
1938
Addresses: Frank Porter Graham (President of UNC); Alma Hall (President of the Class of 1938); Hon. Clyde Roark Hoey (Governor of NC)
Sermon: Dr. Robert E. Speer (NYC)
1939
Addresses: Frank Porter Graham (President of UNC); Gertrude Rainey (Vice-President of the Class of 1939); Hon. Clyde Roark Hoey (Governor of NC)
Sermon: Dr. John A. MacKay (President of Princeton Theological Seminary, NJ)
1940
Addresses: Frank Porter Graham (President of UNC); Celia Durham (Representative of the Class of 1940); Hon. Clyde Roark Hoey (Governor of NC)
Sermon: Dr. Ralph W. Sockman (Christ Church, NYC)
1941
Addresses: Frank Porter Graham (President of UNC); D. Hiden Ramsey (Editor of the Asheville Citizen Times); Hon. J. Melville Broughton (Governor of NC); Frances Daniel (Representative Class of 1941)
Sermon: Dr. E. McNeil Poteat (Euclid Avenue Baptist Church, Cleveland, OH)
1942
Addresses: Frank Porter Graham (President of UNC); Rosa Wilson (Representative of the Class of 1942); Hon. Melville Broughton (Governor of NC)
Sermon: Dr. George W. Truett (President of Baptist World Alliance)
1943
Addresses: Frank Porter Graham (President of UNC); Mary Jo Rendleman (Representative of the Class of 1943); Hon. Reginald L. Harris (Lt. Governor of NC)
Sermon: Dr. Peter Marshall (New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, Washington, DC)
1944
Addresses: Frank Porter Graham (President of UNC); Mary Elizabeth Nickerson (Rep. the Class of 1944); Hon. J. Melville Broughton (Governor of NC)
Sermon: Bishop William Walter Peele (Methodist Church, Richmond, VA)
1945
Addresses: Frank Porter Graham (President of UNC); Mary Wood Hewitt (Rep. of the Class of 1945); Hon. R. Gregg Cherry (Governor of NC)
Sermon: Dr. William Mather Lewis (President of Lafayette College, Easton, PA)
1946
Addresses: Frank Porter Graham (President of UNC); Betty Jane Sarratt (Rep. of the Class of 1946); Hon. R. Gregg Cherry (Governor of NC)
Sermon: Dr. Everett R. Clinchy (Director of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, NYC)
1947
Addresses: Frank Porter Graham (President of UNC); Ruth Lane Webb (Rep. of the Class of 1947); Hon. Lynton Y. Ballentine (Lt. Gov. of NC)
Sermon: Rt. Rev. Edwin A. Penick, D.D. (Bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina, Raleigh)
1948
Addresses: Frank Porter Graham (President of UNC); Betsy Ann Bullock (Rep. of the Class of 1948); Hon. Robert Gregg Cherry (Governor of NC)
Sermon: Rev. Edwin McNeill Poteat, D.D. (President of the Colgate-Rochester Divinity School)
1949
Addresses: Hon. W. Kerr Scott (Governor of NC); Barbara Apostolacus (Representative of the Class of 1949); Walter Clinton Jackson (Chancellor of the Woman's College of the University of NC)
Sermon: Dr. Francis P. Gaines (President of Washington and Lee University, VA)
1950
Addresses: Gordon Gray (President of UNC); Nancy Ann Porter (Rep. of the Class of 1950); Hon. W. Kerr Scott (Governor of NC)
Sermon: Dr. James T. Cleland (Preacher to Duke University, Durham, NC)
1951
Addresses: Hon. W. Kerr Scott (Governor of NC); Gordon Gray (President of UNC); Nancy Blanton (Speaker for the Class of 1951)
Commencement Address: Sarah Gibson Blanding (President of Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY)
Sermon: Dr. Everett R. Clinchy (President of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, NYC
1952
Addresses: Hon. W. Kerr Scott (Governor of NC); Lila June Rainey (Rep. of the Class of 1952); Gordon Gray (President of UNC)
Sermon: Dean Liston Pope (Yale Divinity School)
1953
Addresses: Gordon Gray (President of UNC); Lydia Ann Moody (Rep. of the Class of 1953); Edward Kidder Graham (Chancellor of Woman's College)
Sermon: Dr. Thomas Hayes Procter (Visiting Professor of Philosophy)
1954
Addresses: Gordon Gray (President of UNC); Patricia Thomas (Rep. of the Class of 1954); Edward Kidder Graham (Chancellor of Woman’s College)
Sermon: Rt. Rev. Matthew G. Henry (Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Diocese of Western NC)
1955
Addresses: Hon. Luther E. Barnhardt (Speaker for the State of North Carolina); Gordon Gray (President of UNC); Helen Haynes (Speaker for the Class of 1955); Edward Kidder Graham (Chancellor of Woman's College)
Sermon: Dr. Paul S. Weaver (President of Lake Erie College)
1956
Addresses: Hon. Luther H. Hodges (Governor of NC); William C. Friday (Acting President of UNC); Francis Carol Turner (Representative of the Class of 1956); Edward Kidder Graham (Chancellor of Woman’s College)
Sermon: David R. Fall (Headmaster of Asheville School)
1957
Addresses: Hon. Luther H. Hodges (Governor of NC); William C. Friday (President of UNC); Sadye Elizabeth Dunn (Representative of the Class of 1957); William Whatley Pierson (Chancellor of Woman's College)
Sermon: Dr. Robert Todd Liston (President of King College, Bristol, TN)
1958
Addresses: Hon. Edwin Gill (State Treasurer of NC); William C. Friday (President of UNC); Katherine Aycock White (Representative of the Class of 1958); Gordon W. Blackwell (Chancellor of Woman's College)
Sermon: Dr. Duke McCall (President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY)
1959
Addresses: Hon. Luther H. Hodges (Governor of NC); William C. Friday (President of UNC); Peggy Anne Duncan (Representative of the Class of 1959); Gordon W. Blackwell (Chancellor of Woman's College)
Sermon: Dr. Waldo Beach (School of Divinity, Duke University, Durham, NC)
1960
Addresses: William C. Friday (President of UNC); Barbara Boerner (Representative of the Class of 1960); Gordon W. Blackwell (Chancellor of Woman's College)
Sermon: Dr. William F. Quillian, Jr. (President of Randolph-Macon Woman's College)
1961
Addresses: Hon. Terry Sanford (Governor of NC); William C. Friday (President of UNC); Emily Herring (Representative of the Class of 1961); W. W. Pierson (Chancellor of Woman's College)
Sermon: Rt. Rev. Richard H. Baker, D.D. (Bishop of the Diocese of NC)
1962
Addresses: Hon. Terry Sanford (Governor of NC); William C. Friday (President of UNC); Mary Vann Wilkens (Representative of the Class of 1962); Otis A. Singletary (Chancellor of Woman's College)
Sermon: Rev. John A. Redhead (Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Greensboro, NC)
1963
Speakers: Hon. Terry Sanford (Governor of NC); William C. Friday (President of UNC); Otis A. Singletary (Chancellor of Woman's College)
Commencement Address: Arthur Larson (Director of World Rule of Law Center)
(Was no Class Representative and no Sermon)
1964
Speakers: Hon. Terry Sanford (Governor of NC); William C. Friday (President of the Consolidated UNC); Otis A. Singletary (Chancellor of UNCG)
Commencement Address: Cornelius Kruse (Chairman of the Department and Professor of Philosophy, Wesleyan University)
1965
Speakers: Hon. Terry Sanford (Governor of NC); William C. Friday (President of the Consolidated UNC); James S. Ferguson (Acting Chancellor of UNCG)
Commencement Address: John N. Popham (Managing Editor of the Chattanooga Times)
1966
Speakers: Hon. Dan K. Moore (Governor of NC); William C. Friday (President of the Consolidated UNC); Otis A. Singletary (Chancellor of UNCG)
Commencement Address: Hon. Frank E. Smith (Author, Director TVA)
1967
Speakers: Hon. Dan K. Moore (Governor of NC); William C. Friday (President of the Consolidated UNC); James S. Ferguson (Chancellor of UNCG)
Commencement Address: Art Buchwald (Author, Syndicated Columnist)
1968
Speakers: Hon. Dan K. Moore (Governor of NC); William C. Friday (President of the Consolidated UNC); James S. Ferguson (Chancellor of UNCG)
Commencement Address: Max Lerner (Author and Lecturer)
1969
Speakers: Hon. Robert W. Scott (Governor of NC); William C. Friday (President of the Consolidated UNC); James S. Ferguson (Chancellor of UNCG)
Commencement Address: Hon. George McGovern (U.S. Senator)
1970
Speakers: Hon. Robert W. Scott (Governor of NC); William C. Friday (President of the Consolidated UNC); James S. Ferguson (Chancellor of UNCG)
Commencement Address: Hon. Birch Bayh (U.S. Senator) (Introduction of the Commencement Speaker by Catherine Kruchen, President of the Class of 1970)
1971
Speakers: William C. Friday (President of the Consolidated UNC); James S. Ferguson (Chancellor of UNCG); Nancy Jean Ramsay (Class of 1971)
Commencement Address: Dr. Daniel Patrick Moynihan
1972
Speaker: William C. Friday (For the General Administration—President of UNC); James S. Ferguson (Chancellor of UNCG); James M. Lancaster (Class of 1972)
Commencement Address: Hon. Richardson Preyer (Congressman of the Sixth District, NC)
1973
Speakers: William C. Friday (For the General Administration—President of UNC); James S. Ferguson (Chancellor of UNCG); Steven F. Underwood (Class of 1973)
Commencement Address: Charles Kuralt (CBS News)
1974
Speakers: William C. Friday (For the General Administration—President of UNC); James S. Ferguson (Chancellor of UNCG); Christopher Jones (Class of 1974)
Commencement Address: Dr. Juanita M Kreps (Vice-President of Duke University, Durham, NC)
1975
Speakers: James S. Ferguson (Chancellor of UNCG); James W. McAbee, Jr. (Class of 1975)
Commencement Address: Bonnie Angelo (Washington Correspondent, Time Magazine)
1976
Speakers: William C. Friday (For the General Administration--President of UNC); James S. Ferguson (Chancellor of UNCG); Vera L. Cooke (Class of 1976)
Commencement Address: Martha Griffiths (Former Congresswoman, Michigan)
1977
Speakers: Arnold K. King (Assistant to the President of UNC); James S. Ferguson (Chancellor of UNCG); Paul D. Bell (Class of 1977)
Commencement Address: Carl Stern (NBC News Correspondent)
1978
Speakers: L. Felix Joyner (Vice-President for Finance-UNC); James S. Ferguson (Chancellor of UNCG); Alan D. Pike (Class of 1978)
Commencement Address: Lesley Stahl (CBS News Correspondent)
1979
Speakers: William C. Friday (For the General Administration—President of UNC); James S. Ferguson (Chancellor of UNCG); Jeffrey L. Vance (Class of 1979)
Commencement Address: Dr. Pauli Murray (Priest, Attorney, Educator, and Author)
1980
Speakers: Jeanne Margaret McNally (For the General Administration--Associate Vice-President for Academic Affairs, UNC); William E. Moran (Chancellor of UNCG); Beverly K. McCarthy (Class 1980)
Commencement Address: Richard Bardolph (Jefferson Standard Professor of History and Faculty Marshal)
1981
Speakers: Nathan Sims (For the General Administration--Acting Vice-President for Student Services and Special Programs); William E. Moran (Chancellor of UNCG); Byron D. Cooper (Class of 1981)
Commencement Address: Elizabeth Holtzman (Former Congresswoman, NY)
1982
Speakers: William E. Moran (Chancellor of UNCG); Kelley-Kree Bell (Class of 1982)
Commencement Address: Edwin M. Yoder, Jr. (Syndicated Columnist)
1983
Speakers: William E. Moran (Chancellor of UNCG); Kendra L. Smith (Class of 1983)
Commencement Address: Barbara Uehling (Chancellor, University of Missouri at Columbia)
1984
Speakers: William E. Moran (Chancellor of UNCG); Jon Hensley (Class of 1984)
Commencement Address: Edwin G. Wilson (Provost of Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC)
1985
Speakers: William E. Moran (Chancellor of UNCG); Camille Oehler (Class of 1985)
Commencement Address: Frank Rhodes (President of Cornell University, Ithaca, NY)
1986
Speakers: William E. Moran (Chancellor of UNCG); Jennifer Cornell (Class of 1986)
Commencement Address: Maya Angelou (Poet, Musician, Actress)
1987
Speakers: William E. Moran (Chancellor of UNCG); Cynthia Moore (Class of 1987)
Commencement Address: Gail Godwin (Writer)
1988
Speakers: C. D. Spangler, Jr. (President of UNC); William E. Moran (Chancellor of UNCG); David L. Brown (Class of 1988)
Commencement Address: William C. Friday (President Emeritus, UNC)
1989
Speakers: L. Felix Joyner (Vice-President for Finance, UNC); William E. Moran (Chancellor of UNCG); Julie L. Bell (Class of 1989)
Commencement Address: Hon. L. Richardson Preyer
1990
Speakers: Wyndham Robertson (Vice-President for Communications, UNC); William E. Moran (Chancellor of UNCG); Frank E. Washburn, III (Class of 1990)
Commencement Address: John Hope Franklin (James B. Duke Professor Emeritus of History, Duke University, Durham, NC)
1991
Speakers: Jasper D. Memory (Vice-President for Research at UNC); William E. Moran (Chancellor of UNCG); Veranita Alvord (Class of 1991)
Commencement Address: W. Robert Connor (Director, National Humanities Center, Research Triangle Park, NC)
1992
Speakers: C. D. Spangler, Jr. (President of UNC); William E. Moran (Chancellor of UNCG); J. Christopher McKee (Class of 1992)
Commencement Address: Otis A. Singletary (President Emeritus, University of Kentucky)
1993
Speakers: Roy Carroll (Vice-President of Planning, UNC); William E. Moran (Chancellor of UNCG); Charles W. Brewer (President of Student Government Association)
Commencement Address: Doris Waugh Betts (Alumni Distinguished Professor of English--UNC, Chapel Hill)
1994
Speakers: Jasper D. Memory (Vice-President for Research, UNC); William E. Moran (Chancellor of UNCG); Charles A. Fortney (Class of 1994)
Commencement Address: Jack F. Matlock, Jr. (Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Professor in the Practice of International Diplomacy, Columbia University)
1995
Speakers: Wyndam Robertson (Vice-President for Communications, UNC); Ellen S. Newbold (Class of 1955, Board of Governors, UNC); N. Susan Whittington (Class of 1972, President of UNCG Alumni Association); Lisa K. Childers (Class of 1995)
Commencement Address: Patricia A. Sullivan (Chancellor of UNCG)
1996 (May)
Speakers: Jasper D. Memory (Vice-President for Research, UNC); H. D. Reaves, Jr. (Board of Governors, UNC); N. Susan Whittington (Class of 1972, President of UNCG Alumni Association); Melanie D. Alston (May Class of 1996)
Commencement Address: James H. Allen (Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs)
1996 (December)
Speakers: Lois G. Britt (Board of Governors, UNC); Bobbie Rowland (Class of 1951, President of UNCG Alumni Association); Steven A. Ade-Tomiwa (December Class of 1996)
Commencement Address: Denise N. Baker (Professor, UNCG Department of English, Recipient of UNCG Teaching Excellence Award)
1997 (May)
Speakers: Rosalind Fuse-Hall (Secretary of the University, UNC); Benjamin S. Ruffin (Board of Governors, UNC); Bobbie Rowland (Class of 1951, President of UNCG Alumni Association); Carolyn B. Anderson (Class of 1997)
Commencement Address: Art Buchwald (Author and Columnist)
1997 (December)
Speakers: Jim W. Phillips, Jr. (UNC Board of Governors); Bobbie Rowland (Class of 1951, President of UNCG Alumni Association); Kristin D. Perkins (December Class of 1997)
Commencement Address: Mark Smith-Soto (Professor, UNCG Department of Romance Languages and recipient UNCG Teaching Excellence Award
1998 (May)
Speakers: Clifton B. Metcalf (UNC General Administration, Vice-President for Public Affairs, UNC); Earl N. Phillips, Jr. (UNC Board of Governors); Bobbie H. Rowland (Class of 1951, President of UNCG Alumni Association); Durenda M. Johnson (Class of 1998)
Commencement Address: Calvin “Bud” Trillin (Author and Columnist)
1998 (December)
Speakers: Helen R. Marvin (UNC Board of Governors); Judge A. Elizabeth Keever (Class of 1972, President of UNCG Alumni Association); Tramika V. Hines (December Class of 1998)
Commencement Address: Hephzibah C. Roskelly (Associate Professor, Department of English, recipient UNCG Teaching Excellence Award)
1999 (May)
Speakers: C. Thomas Lambeth (Chair, UNCG Faculty Senate, and Associate Professor, UNCG Department of housing and Interior Design); Patricia A. Sullivan (Chancellor of UNCG); Judith Pulley (UNC Vice President for Planning); Jim W. Phillips, Jr. (UNC Board of Governors); Judge A. Elizabeth Keever (Class of 1972, President of UNCG Alumni Association)
Commencement Address: Fred D. Chappell (Poet Laureate of NC; Burlington Industries Professor, UNCG Department of English)
1999 (December)
Speakers: Mariana Newton (Chair, Faculty Senate and Associate Professor, UNCG Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders); Patricia A. Sullivan (Chancellor of UNCG); Jeffrey R. Davies (Vice President for Finance, General Administration, UNC); Sarah Langston Cowan (Class of 1965 and 1981 and President-Elect, UNCG Alumni Association); Megan Keefe Govus (Speaker for the December Class)
Commencement Speaker: Hazel N. Brown (Associate Professor, UNCG School of Nursing and recipient of the UNCG Teaching Excellence Award)
2000 (May)
Speakers: Mariana Newton (Chair, UNCG Faculty Senate, and Associate Professor, UNCG Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders); Patricia A. Sullivan (Chancellor of UNCG); Molly C. Broad (President of UNC System); Jim W. Phillips, Jr. (UNC Board of Governors); Judge A. Elizabeth Keever (Class of 1972, President of UNCG Alumni Association); Shaneeka T. Moore (Speaker for the Class of 2000)
Commencement Address: Erskine B. Bowles (former White House Chief of Staff)
2000 (December)
Speakers: Daniel T. Winkler (Chair, UNCG Faculty Senate, and Professor, UNCG Department of Business Administration); Patricia A. Sullivan (Chancellor of UNCG); Rosalind R. Fuse-Hall (Secretary of UNC, representing the UNC Board of Governors); Sarah Langston Cowan (Class of 1965 and 1981, President of UNCG Alumni Association); Richard P. Tremmel (Speaker for the December Class, representing The Graduate School)
Commencement Address: Stephen Q. Ruzicka (Associate Professor, UNCG Department of History and recipient of the UNCG Teaching Excellence Award)
2001 (May)
Speakers: Daniel T. Winkler (Chair, UNCG Faculty Senate, and Professor, UNCG Department of Business Administration); Patricia A. Sullivan (Chancellor of UNCG); Gretchen M. Bataille, (UNC General Administration); William L. Burns, Jr. (UNC Board of Governors); Sarah Langston Cowan, (Class of 1965 and 1981, President of UNCG Alumni Association); John W. Welch, Jr. (Speaker for the Class of 2001)
Commencement Address: Kenneth L. Adelman (Director of US Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, 1983-1987)
2001 (December)
Speakers: Samuel D. Miller (Chair, UNCG Faculty Senate, and Professor, UNCG Department of Curriculum and Instruction); Patricia A. Sullivan (Chancellor of UNCG); Priscilla P. Taylor (UNC Board of Governors); Leslie J. Winner (Vice President and General Counsel of UNCG); C. Thomas Martin (Class of 1970 and President-Elect of UNCG Alumni Association); Jeremiah B. Wills (Speaker for the December Class, representing The Graduate School)
Commencement Speaker: Marsha M. Paludan (Associate Professor, UNCG Department of Theatre and recipient of the UNCG Teaching Excellence Award)
2002 (May)
Speakers: Samuel D. Miller (Chair, UNCG Faculty Senate, and Professor, UNCG Department of Curriculum and Instruction); Patricia A. Sullivan (Chancellor of UNCG); R. Andrew Payne (UNC Board of Governors); Alan R. Mabe (Vice President for Academic Planning of UNC); Sarah Langston Cowan (Class of 1965 and 1981, President of UNCG Alumni Association); Stephanie J. Cuadrado (Speaker for the Class of 2002)
Commencement Speaker: Benjamin S. Ruffin (Chair, UNC Board of Governors)
2002 (December)
Speakers: Bennett H. Ramsey (Chair, UNCG Faculty Senate, and Associate Professor, UNCG Department of Religious Studies); Patricia A. Sullivan (Chancellor of UNCG); Jonathan Ducote (UNC Board of Governors); C. Thomas Martin (President of UNCG Alumni Association); Michael Andrew Toth (Speaker for December Class, representing The Graduate School)
Commencement Speaker: Susan J. Buck (Associate Professor, UNCG Department of Political Science and recipient of the UNCG Alumni Teaching Excellence Award)
2003 (May)
Speakers: Bennett H. Ramsey (Chair, UNCG Faculty Senate and Associate Professor, UNCG Department of Religious Studies); Patricia A. Sullivan (Chancellor of UNCG); L.B. Corgnati, Jr. (Secretary of UNC); C. Thomas Martin (President of UNCG Alumni Association); Michelle Leigh Keller (Speaker for the Class of 2003)
Commencement Speaker: Nido R. Qubein (Creative Services, Inc.)
2003 (December)
Speakers: Walter L. Salinger (Chair, UNCG Faculty Senate and Professor, UNCG Department of Psychology); Patricia A. Sullivan (Chancellor of UNCG); John W. Davis III (UNC System & Board of Governors); C. Thomas Martin (President of UNCG Alumni Association); Brent Meadows Harvey (Speaker for December 2003 Class)
Commencement Speaker: Rebecca Adams (Professor, UNCG Department of Sociology)
2004 (May)
Speakers: Walter L. Salinger (Chair, UNCG Faculty Senate and Professor, UNCG Department of Psychology); Patricia A. Sullivan (Chancellor, UNCG); Bert Collins (UNC Board of Governors); C. Thomas Martin (President of UNCG Alumni Association); Rachel H. Marcus (Speaker for the Class of 2004)
Commencement Speaker: James B. Hunt (Former Governor of NC)
2004 (December)
Speakers: Eileen G. Kohlenberg (Chair, UNCG Faculty Senate and Associate Professor, UNCG School of Nursing); Patricia A. Sullivan (Chancellor, UNCG); Gretchen M. Bataille (UNC System & UNC Board of Governors); Ann Fitzmaurice-Russ (President of UNCG Alumni Association); Jacoba Leiper (Speaker for the December 2004 Class
Commencement Speaker: Christopher Hodgkins (Associate Professor, UNCG Department of English)
2005 (May)
Speakers: Eileen Kohlenberg (Chair, UNCG Faculty Senate and Associate Professor, UNCG School of Nursing); Patricia A. Sullivan (Chancellor of UNCG); James C. Sadler (UNC System & UNC Board of Governors); Ann Fitzmaurice-Russ (President of UNCG Alumni Association); Adrian James Lee (Speaker for the Class of 2005)
Commencement Speaker: Muriel Siebert (Muriel Siebert & Company)
2005 (December)
Speakers: Gary Rosenkrantz (Chair, UNCG Faculty Senate and Professor, UNCG Department of Philosophy); Patricia A. Sullivan (Chancellor of UNCG); Gladys Ashe Robinson (Board of Governors, UNC); Ann Fitzmaurice-Russ (President, UNCG Alumni Association); Elena Karpova (Speaker for the December Class, representing The Graduate School)
Commencement Speaker: K. Porter Aichele (Associate Professor, UNCG Department of Art, and recipient of the Alumni Teaching Excellence Award)
2006 (May)
Speakers: Gary Rosenkrantz (Chair, UNCG Faculty Senate and Professor, UNCG Department of Philosophy); Patricia A. Sullivan (Chancellor, UNCG); Robyn R. Render (General Administration, UNC); Ann Fitzmaurice-Russ (President, UNCG Alumni, Association); Melissa Blake Westmoreland (Speaker for the Class of 2006)
Commencement Speaker: Molly Corbett Broad (President Emerita, UNC)
2006 (December)
Speakers: Anna Marshall-Baker (Chair, UNCG Faculty Senate, and Associate Professor, UNCG Department of Interior Architecture); Patricia A. Sullivan (Chancellor of UNCG); Benjamin S. Ruffin (UNC Board of Governors); Carol Furey Matney (Class of 1963, and President, UNCG Alumni Association); Cindra S. Kamphoff (Speaker for the December Class, representing The Graduate School); Vidyaranya Gargeya (Professor, UNCG Department of Information Systems and Operations Management, and recipient of the Alumni Teaching Excellence Award)
2007 (May)
Speakers: Anna Marshall-Baker (Chair, UNCG Faculty Senate and Associate Professor, UNCG Department of Interior Architecture); Patricia A. Sullivan (Chancellor of UNCG); Laura R. Foxx (UNC General Administration); Carol Furey Matney (Class of 1963 and President, UNCG Alumni Association); Nicole Cecelia Steele (Speaker for the Class of 2007)
Commencement Speaker: Betty Ray McCain (former North Carolina Secretary of Cultural Resources)
2007 (December)
Speakers: Kathryn M. Crowe (Chair, Faculty Senate and Associate Director of Public Services, UNCG University Libraries); Patricia A. Sullivan (Chancellor of UNCG); R. Steve Bowden (UNC Board of Governor); Betsy Ervin (Class of 1985 and President, UNCG Alumni Association); Natalie Hurst (Speaker for the December Class, representing The Graduate School)
Commencement Speaker: Roberto E. Campo (Professor, UNCG Department of Romance Languages, and recipient of the Alumni Teaching Excellence Award)
2008 (May)
Speakers: Kathryn M. Crowe (Chair, Faculty Senate and Associate Dean of Public Service, UNCG University Libraries); Patricia A. Sullivan (Chancellor of UNCG); Alma Adams (North Carolina House of Representatives, Guilford County); R. Steve Bowden (UNC Board of Governors); Erskine B. Bowles (President, UNC); Betsy Ervin (Class of 1985, and President, UNCG Alumni Association); Paris LoFaro (Speaker for the Class of 2008)
Commencement Speaker: Thomas Warren Ross (President, Davidson College)
2008 (December)
Speakers: Rebecca G. Adams (Chair, Faculty Senate, and Professor of Sociology); Linda P. Brady (Chancellor of UNCG); Kathryn C. Bender (UNC General Administration); M. Jeffrey Colbert (Class of 1984, 1987, and President of the UNCG Alumni Association); Gratia H. Wright (Speaker of the Class of 2008)
Commencement Speaker: Annette M. Van (Assistant Professor, UNCG Department of English)
2009 (May)
Speakers: Rebecca G. Adams (Chair, Faculty Senate, and Professor of Sociology); Linda P. Brady (Chancellor of UNCG); Clarice Cato Goodyear (UNC Board of Governors); M. Jeffrey Colbert (Class of 1984, 1987, and President of the UNCG Alumni Association); Kiya D. Ward (Speaker for the Class of 2009)
Commencement Speaker: Beverly Eaves Perdue (Governor, North Carolina)
2009 (December)
Speakers: Laurie Kennedy-Malone (Chair, Faculty Senate, and Professor, School of Nursing); Linda P. Brady (Chancellor of UNCG); Erskine B. Bowles (UNC President); Jana Welch Wagenseller (Class of 1976, and President of UNCG Alumni Association); Jacob Scott Henry (Speaker for the December Class); Martina Kalcounis-Ruppell (Associate Professor, UNCG Department of Biology)
2010 (May)
Speakers: Laurie Kennedy-Malone (Chair, Faculty Senate, and Professor of Nursing); Linda P. Brady (Chancellor of UNCG); Charles A. Hayes (UNC Board of Governors); Jana Welch Wagenseller (Class of 1976 and President, UNCG Alumni Association); David E. Klein (Speaker for the May Class)
Commencement Address: Margaret Brown Maron (Novelist)
2010 (December)
Speakers: John Gamble (Chair, Faculty Senate, and Professor of Dance); Linda P. Brady (Chancellor of UNCG); Ann B. Goodnight (UNC Board of Governors); Keith Ayscue (Class of 1991, 2003, and President, UNCG Alumni Association); Radmila Petric (Speaker for the December Class)
Commencement Address: Lew G. Brown
2011 (May)
Speakers: John Gamble (Chair, Faculty Senate, and Professor of Dance); Linda P. Brady (Chancellor of UNCG); Walter C. Davenport (UNC Board of Governors); Keith ayscue (Class of 1991, 2003, and President, UNCG Alumni Association); Zimuzor Ogochukwu (Speaker for the May Class)
Commencement Address: Thomas S. Haggai
2011 (December)
Speakers: Joshua Hoffman (Chair, Faculty Senate, and Professor of Philosophy); Linda P. Brady (Chancellor of UNCG); W. Edwin McMahan (UNC Board of Governors); Marirose Keyes Steigerwald (Class of 1984, and President, UNCG Alumni Association); Jennifer Baker (Speaker for the December Class)
Commencement Address: Jennifer L. Etnier
2012 (May)
Speakers: Joshua Hoffman (Chair, Faculty Senate, and Professor of Philosophy); Linda P. Brady (Chancellor of UNCG); W. Edwin McMahan (UNC Board of Governors); Marirose Keyes Steigerwald (Class of 1984, and President, UNCG Alumni Association); Krista Carter (Speaker for the May Class)
Commencement Address: Bonnie McElveen-Hunter
2015 (December)
Speakers:
Commencement Address: Dianne H.B, Welsh Hayes Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship
2016 (May)
Speakers:
Commencement Address:Denise Turner Roth
2016 (December)
Speakers:
Commencement Address: Thomas Matyok, Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies
2017 (May)
Speakers:
Commencement Address: Author Margot Lee Shetterly
2018 (May)
Speakers:
Commencement Address: Olympic Gold Medalist Joey Cheek
2019 (May)
Speakers:
Commencement Address: Actor Dr. Ken Jeong
2019 (December)
Speakers:
Commencement Address: Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughn
2020 (combined virtual online event due to pandemic)
Speakers:several celebrities recorded online messages
Commencement Address:
2021 (combined in-person and virtual online event due to pandemic)
Speakers:
Commencement Address: