This will be a celebratory weekend for many across Chapel Hill.

There will be more hustle and bustle as parents filter into the town for commencement.

More than 6,000 students are expected to graduate from Carolina, culminating with the commencement ceremony on Sunday morning in Kenan Stadium.

Dr. Ron Strauss, Executive Vice Provost and Chief International Officer at UNC, says Jason Kilar, a 1993 graduate of Carolina with a background in innovative ideas, will be delivering the commencement address.

“[Kilar] is the former CEO of Hulu and a very active entrepreneur,” Strauss says.

Strauss adds officials at UNC were impressed with another speech Kilar delivered in Chapel Hill.

“When we screened speakers, we got a chance to watch a talk [Kilar] gave at Kenan-Flagler Business School,” he says. “He’s very enthusiastic and an engaged speaker. So, I think it’s going to be a wonderful commencement address.”

Innovation has been a buzzword across the UNC campus in recent months, and Kilar seems a timely fit to deliver the speech.

“The campus is very engaged in both educational innovation and expanding beyond the borders,” Strauss says. “It looked to us that Mr. Kilar was just an exemplar of how you can use a Carolina degree and launch into a world of passion and big impact.”

Commencement will begin at nine o’clock in Kenan Stadium on Sunday, Mother’s Day.

Chapel Hill Transit will provide Tar Heel Express Shuttle Service from 6:45 to 12:30. Chapel Hill Transit shuttles will operate from the Friday Center park and ride lots. Buses will run every 10 to 15 minutes. Shuttles and parking will be free. Riders, and in particular graduates, are encouraged to arrive at the park and ride lots at least one hour prior to the start of the ceremony.

Related Stories
‹
Chapel Hill: Town Council Member Louie Rivers
Chapel Hill Town Council Member Louie Rivers joined 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, August 6, discussing town news and events. He discussed his time on the council so far, including what has been surprising, and what has been most exciting. He shared his priorities for the council for the rest of the […]
The Morning News: Legion Road, ArtsOrange, Jason Johnson, Bill Belichick
In today's news: Chapel Hill provides an update on the future of its 36-acre property on Legion Road, with a pond slated for removal.
Chapel Hill Police Creates Team to Investigate Vehicle Break-Ins; 14 Reported Over Weekend
The department said it responded to 14 vehicle break-ins over the weekend, and 320 so far in 2026. The team will focus on finding patterns.
Chapel Hill: Growth and Development, Carolina North, Legion Pond
Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, July 30, discussing town news and events. She talked about a chamber event on growth and development she had attended earlier that day, which included updates on the North South Bus Rapid Transit project, and more. She also shared updates on UNC's Carolina North Plans, the Legion Road property and pond, and more.
Red Cross Declares Blood Crisis: Here's Where You Can Donate Locally
The American Red Cross is calling for immediate blood donations, declaring a national blood crisis for the second time in history.
Chapel Hill Shares LUMO Draft, Which Could Reshape Development Standards and Housing Types
After nearly a decade since Chapel Hill first launched plans to rewrite its land use management ordinance, or LUMO, a draft has arrived.
The Morning News: Educator Pay, Blood Shortage, Return of Arts Mill
The Hill's Andrew Stuckey fills in for Aaron Keck with the morning news. In today's news: We hear from the president of the North Carolina Association of educators on the shortcomings of teacher pay in the new budget; we hear of a national blood donation shortage; an energy company in Durham faces a hefty fine; the Eno Arts Mill is set to reopen soon; a longtime Carrboro-area bar is getting a new owner and a rebrand, and more.
Chapel Hill: Weather Update, LUMO Draft Availability, Public Info Session
Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, July 23, discussing town news and events. She discussed the recent inclement weather, and discussed preparedness for future inclement weather as we get further into hurricane season. She also talked about the Land Use Management Ordinance re-write, and the opportunities for public feedback on that draft document. She previewed an upcoming public information session, National Night Out, and more.
On Air Today: Rewriting Chapel Hill's Land Use Management Ordinance
The town of Chapel Hill is rewriting its Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO for short) for the first time since 2003.
Car Crash on East Franklin Street Causes Delays on Wednesday Night; Local Responders on Scene
UPDATE: The Chapel Hill Police Department said the driver was ultimately arrested and charged with driving while impaired, as well as having an open container in the vehicle. The driver, an underaged student at UNC, was issued a $1,000 bond and August court date by the Orange County magistrate on the charges. The crash site […]
›