ASHEVILLE, N.C. — University of North Carolina Asheville held its Spring Commencement ceremonies on May 9 to celebrate the graduation of more than 400 Bulldogs from the College of Natural and Human Sciences and the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Science. UNCA stated in a May 11 press release.

Held at Kimmel Arena, the ceremonies were presided over by Chancellor Kimberly van Noort, with a livestream for each college’s ceremony available on the University’s YouTube channel.

“Though it is the end of your time as UNC Asheville undergraduates, now is when you take what you’ve learned and commence with the next phase of your life,” van Noort said. “Be the kinds of leaders who can help solve the problems of today and tomorrow.”

Kati Provence, a computer science major, and recipient of the Manly E. Wright Award for being first in her class in scholarship, was this year’s student speaker.

During her time at UNCA, she has maintained a 4.0 grade point average while also excelling in research and service to the campus and local communities. 

Provence encouraged her classmates to embrace “radical joy” and “radical patience” as they move into the next chapter of their lives and reminded graduates of their resilience.

“As we walk across this stage, and graduate to our new step in life, I encourage you to reflect on the ways you’ve changed and all the moments you once thought might defeat you,” Provence said. “Gather all of those moments, those victories, as proof that you have the grit, intelligence, and support to make it through whatever you encounter next.”