Date |
Speaker |
|---|---|
| 8 June 1966 |
Dr. Vittorio Giannini |
| 2 June 1967 | Dr. Louis Mennini Acting President, NCSA |
| 5 June 1968 | Dr. Robert Ward President, NCSA |
| 6 June 1969 | William Trotman Dean, School of Drama, NCSA |
| 30 May 1970 | Agnes de Mille Choreographer |
| 5 June 1971 | Joseph Papp Founder, Producer of the New York Shakespeare Festival |
| 28 May 1972 | Robert Shaw Conductor |
| 10 June 1972 | Jean Dalrymple Producer |
| 2 June 1973 | Carmen deLavallade Modern Dancer |
| 1 June 1974 | Nananne Porcher Lighting Designer |
| 31 May 1975 | Peter Zeisler Director |
| 29 May 1976 | Grace J. Rohrer Secretary, North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources |
| 28 May 1977 | Valerie Bettis Dancer |
| 3 June 1978 | Dr. Frank G. Dickey Interim Dean of Academic Studies, NCSA |
| 2 June 1979 | Hon. Carl Stewart Speaker of the House, North Carolina House of Representatives |
| 31 May 1980 | Schuyler Chapin Dean, School of the Arts, Columbia University |
| 30 May 1981 | J. Michael Miller Associate Dean, New York University |
| 29 May 1982 | Terry Sanford President, Duke University |
| 28 May 1983 | Dr. William Friday President, University of North Carolina System |
| 2 June 1984 | Ruth Page Dancer and Choreographer |
| 1 June 1985 | W. McNeil Lowry |
| 31 May 1986 | Alexander C. Ewing President, Board of Visitors & Hillbright Enterprises |
| 30 May 1987 | Dr. William Friday President, University of North Carolina System |
| 28 May 1988 | J. H. Froelich, Jr. Trustee, NCSA President, Froelich Co. |
| 27 May 1989 | Hon. Patrick G. Dorsey Secretary, North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources |
| 26 May 1990 | Robert Ward Composer; Former Chancellor, NCSA |
| 1 June 1991 | Alexander C. Ewing Chancellor, NCSA |
| 30 May 1992 | Debbie Allen Producer, Director, Writer, Choreographer, and Performer |
| 29 May 1993 | Peter Hedges Drama Alumnus, Class of 1984 |
| 28 May 1994 | Jane Alexander Chairman, National Endowment of the Arts |
| 27 May 1995 | Henry J. Pankey Drama Alumnus, Class of 1974 |
| 1 June 1996 | James Houlik Saxophonist; Faculty, School of Music, NCSA |
| 31 May 1997 | Frank Capra, Jr. Producer |
| 30 May 1998 | Alfred Uhry Playwright, Screenwriter, Lyricist, and Librettist |
| 29 May 1999 | Kathy Bates Actress and Director |
| 27 May 2000 | Robert Mann Violinist |
| 2 June 2001 | Mandy Patinkin Actor |
| 1 June 2002 | Dr. William Friday Academic Administrator and UNC-TV Host |
| 31 May 2003 | Twyla Tharp Dancer and Choreographer |
| 29 May 2004 |
Rosemary Harris (High School Commencement) Forrest Whitaker (College Commencement) |
| 28 May 2005 |
Paul Sills (High School Commencement) Desmond Heeley (College Commencement) |
| 3 June 2006 |
Robert Lindgren (High School Commencement) Arthur Laurentis (College Commencement) |
| 2 June 2007 |
Rebecca Walker (High School Commencement) Danny Elfman (College Commencement) |
| 31 May 2008 |
Jesus Moroles (High School Commencement) Ming Cho Lee (College Commencement) |
| 30 May 2009 |
J. T. Rogers (High School Commencement) Kristin Chenoweth (College Commencement) |
| 29 May 2010 |
Angus MacLachlan (High School Commencement) Peter Bogdanovich (College Commencement) |
| 28 May 2011 | Alan Menken Pianist and Composer |
| 6 May 2012 | David Rambo (College Commencement) Playwright and Screenwriter |
| 20 May 2012 | Julie Kent (High School Commencement) Principal Ballet Dancer, American Ballet Theatre |
| 4 May 2013 | Jerry Nadal (College Commencement) Arts Management, Cirque de Soleil |
| 18 May 2013 | Thomas Shumacher (High School Commencement) Arts Management, Disney Theatrical Group |
| 10 May 2014 | Jordan Kerner (College Commencement) Former Dean, School of Filmmaking, NCSA; Film Producer |
| 17 May 2014 | Gillian Murphy (High School Commencement) Principal Ballet Dancer, American Ballet Theatre |
| 9 May 2015 | Cheryl Boone Isaacs (College Commencement) President, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |
| 16 May 2015 | David LaChapelle (High School Commencement) High School Alumnus; Photographer and Director |
| 7 May 2016 | Kelli O'Hara (College Commencement) Actress and Opera Singer |
| 14 May 2016 | Helen Pickett (High School Commencement) Dancer and Choreographer |
| 6 May 2017 | Nancy Seruto (College Commencement) Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering |
| 13 May 2017 | Tim Guinee (High School Commencement) Drama Alumnus, Class of 1985; Actor and Director |
| 5 May 2018 | Paul Tazwell (College Commencement) Design and Production Alumnus, Class of 1986; Costume Designer |
| 18 May 2018 | Katreese Barnes (High School Commencement) High School Alumna, Class of 1980; Producer, Composer, and Vocalist |
| 4 May 2019 | Mary-Mitchell Campbell (College Commencement) High School Alumna; Music Director and Performer |
| 18 May 2019 | Desmond Richardson (High School Commencement) Ballet Dancer; Former Principal, American Ballet Theatre |
| 9 May 2020 | Peter Hedges (College Commencement) Drama Alumnus, Class of 1984; Playwright, Screenwriter, Film Director and Producer |
| 16 May 2020 |
Suri Bieler (High School Commencement) |
| 22 May 2021 |
Stephen McKinley Henderson (High School and College Commencements) |
| 7 May 2022 |
Elizabeth Sobol (College Commencement) |
| 14 May 2022 |
Paloma Garcia-Lee (High School Commencement) |