Participate in the Ceremonies
All faculty, staff and alumni are invited to participate in Commencement. As witnesses to the conferring of degrees, the Bear Network is an integral part of congratulating and celebrating UNC’s newest alumni.
We invite you to support the celebrations so you can show the students you’ve supported along the way that you’re proud of their accomplishments.
Faculty
Faculty may participate as deputy marshals directing graduates during the ceremony or as members of the academic procession. Each college dean's office has a supply of regalia to borrow, or regalia may be rented from Herff Jones.
Deputy Marshals and Academic Procession
Faculty are invited to represent their college as deputy marshals during the ceremonies. Deputy marshals direct degree candidates during the procession and throughout the ceremony and must attend one of two training sessions hosted at the end of the semester.
Doctoral Hooding
Hooding faculty should RSVP to Brendan Price in the Graduate School.
Deputy Marshal Roles
Deputy Marshal training will take place before the ceremonies.
Banner Bearers
One/College
Banner bearers carry the gonfalon for their college into the commencement ceremony. Banner bearers are selected by the college dean.
Escort Marshals
Four/Ceremony
There are two marshals to lead each column of graduates into and out of the ceremony, and at the appropriate time guide them up to the stage.
Patrol Marshals
Two/Ceremony
One patrol marshal follows each column of graduates into the ceremony, and guides them to the appropriate seat after students cross the stage.
Faculty Marshal
One/Ceremony
A faculty marshal leads the academic procession into the ceremony and out of the ceremony.
Commencement Marshal Needed
Have you ever wondered how commencement comes to be? Do you enjoy the pageantry and pomp of commencement and want to be more involved? Commencement marshals help make sure graduation ceremonies go off smoothly.
UNC is in need of a faculty member to serve as one of two commencement marshals. This is important university-wide service and much of the work for this service position occurs the week before and day of commencement.
Commitment:
- Represent faculty at periodic Commencement Committee meetings throughout the year.
- Lead deputy marshals in two training sessions the Friday of commencement week.
- Direct deputy marshals before, during and after each ceremony and handle unexpected circumstances.
- Escort platform party to stage.
If you are interested in serving the university in this way, please contact Lynn Klyde-Allaman at lynn.klyde@unco.edu or University Events at university.events@unco.edu.
Borrow UNC's Regalia
Each college dean's office has a supply of regalia available for faculty to borrow, including a variety of hoods that correspond with UNC's academic programs. Please contact your dean's office to reserve regalia.
Rent Regalia
Faculty may place an order to rent regalia through UNC partner Herff Jones. Place a rental order
Purchase Regalia
Faculty who would like to purchase regalia to own may do so through Herff Jones. Place a regalia order
Commencement Marshals
Lynn Klyde-Allaman
Lynn Klyde-Allaman, Ph.D., is an associate professor of Journalism and Media Studies at UNC. She has a doctorate in mass communications and a graduate certificate in women’s studies from Ohio University, a master’s in journalism from the University of North Carolina and a bachelor’s in journalism and history from Indiana University.
She has worked as a reporter and copy editor at newspapers in Connecticut, North Carolina and Colorado. She teaches classes in media writing, reporting, editing, sports reporting, communication and gender and blogging. She has been at UNC since 2000. In her free time, she enjoys watching sports, running and cooking. She served as a deputy marshal for many years and has been a commencement marshal for two years.
Jieun Lee
Jieun Lee, Ph.D., is an associate professor of Geography and GIS at UNC. Her research focuses on urban sustainability, including built environments and spatial analysis with a special interest in social and health disparities, including gender and transportation.
She is currently collaborating on projects in Detroit, NYC, Seoul, and Piura (in Peru). She has been published in the Journal of Urban Design, Journal of Urban Affairs and recently, the Journal of Urban Studies.
