A graduate, shot from behind, walks toward the Belltower steps

Graduation 2021

#NCState21 in the Spotlight
Video Series

These grads found more than an education at NC State — they found lifelong relationships.

Watch their stories
Caitlyn Mullins with Mimo the cow
Veterinary Medicine

Caitlyn Mullins came to NC State to learn more about cattle. She's leaving with a cloven-hooved stamp on her heart.

Inside Caitlyn and Mimo's bond
Russell Wilson, center, at a ceremony honoring his jersey at the 2014 Kay Yow Spring Game. Wilson is flanked by Mr. and Ms. Wuf, football head coach Dave Doeren and former athletics director Debbie Yow.
Commencement 2021

At NC State, this year's commencement speaker honed the athletic skills and commitment to service that would define his extraordinary life.

Behind his drive
Two male students wearing graduation regalia and donated red face masks
Research and Innovation

This spring, graduates' commencement regalia will include donated face masks that grew from NC State innovation.

Behind the masks
Sciences

Biological sciences major Dhuru Patel embraced a range of academic, extracurricular and service opportunities that cemented his decision to pursue a medical career.

Red robes to white coat

6,300+ Graduates

On May 14 and 15, NC State will celebrate a diverse and high-achieving group of graduates.

Get the facts about commencement
Humanities and Social Sciences

Talya Ozbelli will share her story of finding community at NC State with graduates at the May 15 ceremony.

Meet her
Twin sisters Iman, left, and Salam pose together at a Wolf Ears sculpture on campus and make wolf hands gestures. 
Family

The Ibrahim twins forged their own paths at NC State, discovering new passions while strengthening their bond.

Meet the duo

I want to feed my people.

Crop and soil sciences graduate and distance runner Edwin Rutto, a native of Kenya, will use his expertise to help his nation improve crop production.

Why this drives him
Joshua Pil, a College of Natural Resources student, stands on campus in his red robes.
Natural Resources

Hands-on education was key to preparing environmental technology and management graduate Joshua Pil to succeed beyond NC State.

See his advice for undergrads
Alumni

Leadership, service, academics, athletics, philanthropy — these four outstanding graduates did it all and made NC State a better place.

Meet this year's recipients
Engineering

Inspired by his guide dog, Simba, blind Ph.D. graduate Sean Mealin focused his research on how computers can help humans and dogs communicate.

Meet Sean and Simba
Kiara Richardson
Poole College of Management

When Kiara Richardson realized there wasn’t an organization to provide resources and support to Black MBA students, she started one.

How she built community
Education

Meet a few of the 372 new College of Education graduates who will be making a difference in education.

Read more

$21,000 Committed

Park Scholars in the class of 2021 are raising money over the next five years to benefit the NC State Employee Dependent’s Tuition Scholarship.

Find out why
Coleman Simpson
Agriculture and Life Sciences

During the pandemic, Student Senate President Coleman Simpson won a grant to fund a counseling program for his fellow CALS students.

Why mental health matters to him
Distance Learning

Olivia Jones earned a Master of Animal Science degree while serving as an active duty Air Force officer.

Read more
Alumni

Show us how you’re celebrating commencement as you join the alumni Pack by using #HowlBack on your graduation photos on Twitter and Instagram.

Get the details
Engineering and Sciences

Ana Sofia Uzsoy’s passion for learning is taking her to Cambridge University on one of the U.S.'s most prestigious scholarships.

Meet her

I teach because it’s necessary. I teach because it shows love.

As an educator, James Daniels will teach his middle school students how to embrace their identities.

Why he chose education
International Services

More than 500 international students are graduating this May, representing every college.

Meet some of them
Sirena Rowe hugs fellow swimmers after a meet
Athletics

Swimmer Sirena Rowe is ready to take on food deserts — and the Tokyo Olympics.

Read more
Cheyana Bassham
Natural Resources

Goodnight Scholar Cheyana Bassham credits hands-on learning for opening her eyes to the world of freshwater ecology.

Read more
Alumni Association

New graduates are eligible for a complimentary one-year Alumni Association membership.

Get the details
Erin Wilkins and her dog on the Court of North Carolina
Veterinary Medicine

Erin Wilkins raised four dogs for the Guide Dog Foundation while pursuing her degree.

Meet 'the girl with Bubs'
College of Design

Experience dynamic senior capstone projects that explore the space between "what was" and "what will be."

Watch the video
Online Education

NC State employee Chris Allen has learned to be a better leader through the online Master of Education in Training and Development program.

Find out how
Tirrezz Hudson
Academic and Student Affairs

These few outstanding student leaders are ready to forge their own paths outside NC State.

Find out what's next
Human Resources

Three university staff members share what motivated them to stay the course.

Read more

I dedicate this master's degree to my dad.

Urmica Yelavarthy, a native of Bangalore, India, is graduating with a master’s degree in architecture and an eye on her dream career.

Meet Urmica on Instagram
Giovanny Hernandez and his mentor work on a project
Philanthropy

Thanks to a special scholarship from the College of Education, North Carolina students will soon have the opportunity to learn from Giovanny Hernandez.

Meet him
NC State History

As the class of 2021 prepares to turn their tassels at NC State's storied stadium, we revisit the university's first commencement there.

Take a look back
Goodnight Scholars

Seniors Christian Kennedy and LouLou Batta are the 10th and 11th recipients of this prestigious community award.

Meet them
Graduate watches the guest speaker on the jumbotron in PNC Arena.
Admissions

There are thousands of paths to follow at NC State. Find yours today.

Run with the Wolfpack
COVID-19 Updates

Learn how we can work together as one Pack to stay safe on campus.

Get the latest

Running With the Wolfpack

At NC State, our students, faculty and staff Think and Do the Extraordinary every day.

Share the NC State experience on social media.

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Things are looking up.

NC State’s Student Involvement Center is home to more than 700 student organizations.

Explore Lake Raleigh on NC State’s Centennial Campus.

News Read More

May 12, 2021

Fox Championed NC State — and Change

A renowned scientist and visionary leader, Marye Anne Fox pushed the university into the 21st century, despite headwinds. She died Sunday at 73.

May 12, 2021

Smaller Chips Open Door to New RFID Applications

Researchers have made what is believed to be the smallest state-of-the-art RFID chip.

May 3, 2021

Behind the Scenes of COVID-19 Vaccine Review

An NC State statistician who is helping review COVID-19 vaccine trials answers questions about the work of the Data and Safety Monitoring Board.

Upcoming Events View Calendars

Thursday4:00 PM

Virtual Guided Tour: A Thousand Throws

Thursday5:30 PM

NC State LIVE @ Centennial Presents Caique Vidal and Batuque at Spring Hill Park and Ride Lot

Thursday7:00 PM

Author Talk: Rob Dunn

Tuesday6:00 PM

PackPath: From Major to Career Part I
Aerial of Holladay Hall and the NC State belltower

Visit NC State

Explore our extraordinary campus in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Take a virtual tour