Commencement
East Carolina University – Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremony
For general questions about Commencement, send an email to commencement@ecu.edu.
East Carolina University will host the University Commencement Ceremony at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on May 8 at 10:00 a.m. to recognize and celebrate the Class of 2026.
ECU allows designated campus facilities to be rented by external entities. Following the Use of University Property regulation, Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium has been rented for a May 24 Amazon Prime Beast Games event. The facility rental does not prevent ECU’s Spring commencement ceremony from being held in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
Spring graduates and family members should visit this page frequently throughout the semester for updates. Graduating students should also monitor their ECU email account for updates and actions.
All ECU spring 2026 graduates, including those earning undergraduate, masters, doctoral and professional degrees, are REQUIRED to complete an RSVP form to participate in the university commencement ceremony. The RSVP deadline was April 17.
Visit the Office of the Registrar – Graduate Information page to learn more about application deadlines and how to apply for graduation.
Spring 2026 University Commencement – Livestream
*Streamed options will go live when the 10 a.m. ceremony begins. Livestream closed-captioning and American Sign Language will be available on Panopto, Facebook, and YouTube.
“Scream” and “Dawson’s Creek” creator to deliver spring commencement address
East Carolina University alumnus, Kevin Williamson ’87, the creative force behind many influential television series and movies, will deliver the keynote address during the spring commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. May 8 in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
Williamson is an award-winning writer, creator, director and producer whose work has thrilled audiences for decades. Williamson’s rise to stardom began in 1996 with the post-modern classic film “Scream,” which launched a franchise that is still thriving today.
Learn More About Kevin Williamson
Departmental/College Recognition Ceremonies
Minges
Friday, May 8
- 1:00 PM – Allied Health
- 4:00 PM – Fine Arts & Communication
- 7:00 PM – Education
Saturday, May 9
- 9:00 AM – Nursing
- 12:00 PM – Health & Human Performance
- Dept. of Human Development and Family Science, Dept. of Kinesiology, Dept. of Recreation Sciences and Sport Management
- 3:00 PM – Health & Human Performance
- Dept. of Health Education and Promotion, School of Social Work, Dept. of Interior Design and Merchandising
Main Campus Student Center (MCSC) Ballrooms
Friday, May 8
- 1:00 PM – Engineering & Technology
- Dept. of Computer Science, Dept. of Construction Management
- 4:00 PM – Engineering & Technology
- Dept. of Engineering, Dept. of Technology Systems
- 7:00 PM – Arts & Sciences
- Health Psychology, Neuroscience, Psychology
Saturday, May 9
- 9:00 AM – Business
- Dept. of Finance and Insurance, Dept. of Management Information Systems, Dept. of Marketing and Supply Chain Management, Miller School of Entrepreneurship
- 12:00 PM – Business
- Dept. of Accounting, Dept. of Management, School of Hospitality Leadership
- 3:00 PM – Business
- Thomas D. Arthur Graduate School of Business
Wright Auditorium
Friday, May 8
- 1:00 PM – Arts & Sciences
- Biochemistry (Biology concentration), Biology, Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in Biology, Biomedicine and Chemistry (Biology concentration), Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
- 4:00 PM – Dental Medicine
- 7:00 PM – Brody School of Medicine
Saturday, May 9
- 9:00 AM – Arts & Sciences
- Criminal Justice
- 12:00 PM – Arts & Sciences
- University Studies
- 3:00 PM – Arts & Sciences
- English, Professional Writing and Information Design, Rhetoric, Writing and Professional Communication
Hendrix Theater
Friday, May 8
- 1:00 PM – Arts & Sciences
- African and African American Studies, Foreign Languages and Literatures, Hispanic Studies, History, Maritime Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies
- 3:00 PM – Arts & Sciences
- Biochemistry (Chemistry concentration), Biomedical Physics, Chemistry, Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in Biology, Biomedicine and Chemistry (Chemistry concentration), Mathematics, Physics
- 5:00 PM – Arts & Sciences
- Applied Sociology, Anthropology, Sociology
Saturday, May 9
- 9:00 AM – Arts & Sciences
- Economics, Quantitative Economics and Econometrics
- 11:00 AM – Arts & Sciences
- Applied Atmospheric Science, Community and Regional Planning, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geographic Information Science and Technology, Geology, Planning and Development
- 1:00 PM – Arts & Sciences
- Political Science, Public Administration, Security Studies
East Carolina Heart Institute
Friday, May 8
- 1:00 PM – Brody Sciences
If you have a college specific question, please click the link below to reach that college’s representative.
Message for ECU Sustainability Program about Confetti on campus!
When you celebrate your achievements this year and take graduation pictures with you friends and family, remember confetti is litter. It is also harmful to wildlife and contributes to ocean plastic waste when it enters the storm drain and flows downstream.
Please help keep our beautiful, award-winning campus clean. Instead of using confetti, streamers, or balloons in your photos, we recommend using bubbles, flower petals, or the filters on your phone.
Learn more about campus sustainability.