Elizabeth City State University

Commencement Ceremony

As you prepare for Commencement, visit the Frequently Asked Questions webpage for all information pertaining to your candidacy for graduation. 

Commencement Livestream

The livestream for ECSU Commencement will be accessible from this webpage and on Elizabeth City State University's YouTube Channel.

Watch Here

 

Commencement Speaker

KIRK FRANKLIN

 
 

Raise the Sails flyer

megaphone icon

Ticket Pickup Announcement

The Office of Academic Affairs will be distributing tickets at MD Thorpe Room 340, located on the 3rd floor.

Ticket Pickup Dates and Times:

  • April 21-24, 2025: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

  • April 25, 2025: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Important Notes:

  • You must present your Student ID or a valid ID to pick up your tickets.

  • Lost tickets will not be replaced.

 
 

Commencement Events

ECSU Commissioning Ceremony 

Friday, May 9, 2025 at 10:00 A.M. | Fine Arts Center


Graduation Rehearsal 

Friday, May 9, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. | R.L. Vaughan Center

Graduates, please remember to bring your hoods!


Senior Reception and Pinning Ceremony

Friday, May 9, 2025 from 6:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. | K.E. White Graduate Center

Be prepared for Commencement

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The ECSU Career Center wants to know your post- graduation plans!  Whether you will work full-time, pursue additional education, travel the world, or are undecided, we welcome the  opportunity  to learn more about your professional life after commencement in May. Tell us tell the story of our May 2025 ECSU graduates!

Please complete the Career Center Graduating Senior Exit Survey on or before TBA

You can access the survey by clicking the button below.

Complete Senior Exit Survey

Approved items include:

  • Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12 inches in height, 6 inches in depth and 12 inches in width;
  • Individual seat cushions no larger than 16 inches wide and must not include arms or pockets;
  • One gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar);
  • Small clutch purse, approximately the size of an average adult hand, 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches or smaller; 
  • Diaper bags are subject to search and the infant for which the bag is being carried must be present (up to 36 months)

 

Prohibited items include:

  • Purses larger than a clutch bag, exceeding 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches;
  • Coolers, briefcases, backpacks, drawstring bags, cinch bags or fanny packs;
  • Tinted or printed plastic bags;
  • Luggage;
  • Computer bags, camera bags, binocular cases or any bag larger than the permissible size;
  • Air horns, bull horns, cow bells, tambourines and/ or any other disruptive noise makers.

We are delighted to welcome you to campus as we celebrate the accomplishments of our graduating Vikings. As our campus continues to grow and improve through ongoing renovations and construction, we sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding during this period of transformation. Thank you for pardoning our progress!

Parking Information:
Guests may park in lots closest to the R.L. Vaughan Center, including the STEM Complex, Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr. Science Center, G.R. Little Library, and Lane and Moore Halls.
 Additional parking is available at the following locations:

  • Welcome Center
  • Mickey L. Burnim Fine Arts Center
  • Willie and Jacqueline Gilchrist Education & Psychology Complex
  • Dixon-Patterson Hall
  • C.W. Griffin Center
  • Marion D. Thorpe Administration Building

Campus Traffic Advisory:
 Please note that there will be no thru-traffic allowed on campus. University Way (behind the R.L. Vaughan Center) will close to all vehicles at 8:00 a.m.

Shuttle Service:
 Shuttle services will be available from 7:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with regular stops at each designated parking area and drop-off near the R.L. Vaughan Center. Look for our easily recognizable Viking Pride vans to help you arrive comfortably and on time.

 

ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS

Guests requiring accessibility assistance may be dropped off in the cul-de-sac near the ramp at the R.L. Vaughan Center. This area is designated for drop-off only; drivers must proceed immediately to park near the STEM Complex after drop-off. Upon entering the R.L. Vaughan Center, University Volunteers will be available to guide and assist guests to the designated accessibility seating area.

If you or one of your guests has an accessibility need, please complete the following survey NO LATER THAN, FRIDAY, May 2,2025.

Complete the Survey

 
You will be contacted by the ECSU Office of Student Accessibility if additional information is needed.

 

For questions regarding accessibility seating for commencement, please contact the ECSU Office of Student Accessibility at ada-504coordinator@ecsu.edu or (252) 335-3642.
 
If you have specific questions, please contact the Office of Academic Affairs, (252) 335-2880.