Graduation 2017 in Chapel Hill: it’s difficult to think of a more inspiring event!
The Economics Department was represented well throughout the weekend, beginning with the hooding ceremony for our Ph.D. graduates 
Saturday morning, the reception for graduates from the Minor in Entrepreneurship Saturday afternoon, the commencement ceremony in Kenan Stadium Sunday morning and ending with our reception for graduates with an Economics degree in early afternoon, we had many opportunities to celebrate the great achievements of our Economics students.
We have 12 students receiving their Ph.D. in Economics this year. Their fields of specialization range from financial econometrics to the microeconomics of education, but they have in common that they’ve made great research contributions — and they’ve all found jobs for the coming year!
We awarded 115 students with the Minor in Entrepreneurship this May. This innovative cross-disciplinary program has attracted many of the most creative minds from across campus, and the testimonials from students at the reception indicate that it is providing a critical educational opportunity on our campus. (You can read more about this program at unceminor.org.
The Commencement ceremony in Kenan Stadium was a sea of Carolina blue-clad undergraduates; the f
aculty and grad students in their black robes provided a striking contrast. The common theme, from speaker Brooke Baldwin and senior-class president Elizabeth Grady, was that “Carolina is Home”. The students and faculty did seem to be a happy family!
After Commencement, the Economics Department held its reception for graduates in the Fed Ex Global Center. Over 1000 students and family members joined us for the event. We recognized our honors students, and then devoted the remaining time to introducing and congratulating each of the graduates in attendance. As they came down the steps to be introduced (as on the right) one couldn’t help but be impressed with the accomplishments of each and every student. One also couldn’t help but be impressed with the appetite of those in attendance: we managed to finish off 3000 finger sandwiches, nearly 2000 Tar Heel and sugar cookies, and 40 gallons of Carolina punch!
No, our ram at the top left is not an Economics graduate; he was just watching over the Economics reception! Original Artwork displayed in the FedEx Global Center