Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What is the Honors Baccalaureate & Celebration of Academic Excellence?

A: It is a recognition ceremony at which we recognize and celebrate the awards earned over the past academic year by the faculty and students at NC State University.

Q: Who is recognized?

A: Please refer to the Table of Honors Baccalaureate Recognitions.

Q: How are people recognized?

A: There are several levels of recognition:

• Listing in the program only
• Listing in the program and standing to be recognized as a group
• Listing in the program, having name read, and standing as a group
• Listing in the program, member of processional, special seating, called to stage to be individually recognized
• Listing in the program, member of processional, seated on stage, called to stage to be individually recognized
• How each group and award is recognized is indicated on the Table of Honors Baccalaureate Recognitions

Q: How does this event differ from Commencement?

A: It is shorter. It is smaller. It doesn’t involve conferring of degrees. There is no Commencement speaker. It is a less formal event in some ways, but a more solemn one in others. It is a celebration of academic excellence, not of academic completion. Faculty are recognized. Many of the students being recognized are not yet graduating.

Q: How long does the Honors Baccalaureate last?

A: Between 60 and 75 minutes.

Q: What is the appropriate attire for this event?

A: Only members of the stage party need to wear academic robes and hoods (no caps). All other attendees, including students being honored, generally wear business attire.

Q: How many people attend the Honors Baccalaureate?

A: The 2008 event was attended by an estimated 800 people.

Q: When should I arrive for the Honors Baccalaureate?

A: No later than 10 minutes prior to the 7:30 P.M. starting time of the event.

Q: Is there assigned seating? Can I sit with my family and friends?

A: Only the processional party has assigned seating. Otherwise, seating is open and you can sit as a group with your family and friends.

Q: Are cameras and recording devices permitted?

A: Yes, as long as their use is not disruptive to the event. Tripod-mounted devices must be used at the rear of the room. Note that professional photographs are taken of everyone recognized on the stage (see Table of Honors Baccalaureate Recognitions). Those honorees will be given access to a download site where they may obtain the files of their photographs.

Q: Do I receive a certificate?

A: All awardees recognized on stage (see Table of Honors Baccalaureate Recognitions) receive a certificate (and for some awards such items as medals), presented to them on the stage. Following confirmation of graduation and valedictorian status, all valedictorians will receive a certificate mailed to their correspondence address via US Postal Service mail.

Q: I would like to attend the Honors Baccalaureate, but it means taking one or two more days off work and another night or two staying in a hotel. Is it worth attending?

A: This is not an easy question to answer. The Honors Baccalaureate is a great event, a grand celebration of excellence. Those who attend say that they are glad they did. It is definitely an event worth attending. However, if cost and time are concerns, then the answer really depends upon the kind of recognition your family member is receiving. If they are one of those recognized on stage, then you should make every effort to attend. If they are in one of the “stand and be recognized” groups, that will also happen at the Commencement ceremony, so you should not feel as compelled to attend the Honors Baccalaureate. Having said that, the event is inspiring and makes the point that NC State is an institution where an award-winning faculty is teaching award-winning students.

Q: Would it make sense to attend the Honors Baccalaureate and not Commencement?

A: Again, this is a personal decision. Commencement is when the students graduate. No degrees are conferred at the Honors Baccalaureate. There is no Commencement speaker. The Honors Baccalaureate has nothing like the pomp and circumstance of Commencement. There are far fewer people at the Honors Baccalaureate, so it has nothing like the energy and excitement of Commencement.

However, some people have chosen to attend only the Honors Baccalaureate because it is a smaller event. One family saw the Honors Baccalaureate as an event that could be attended by the grandmother of a graduate. The Commencement ceremony, they thought, would be too difficult for her to manage.

RSVP Questions

Q: I did not receive an invitation to the Honors Baccalaureate. Can I attend?

A: Yes. The event is open to the public.