On May 9, 2026, North Carolina Central University (NCCU) held its 147th Commencement Exercises, with an estimated 1,062 students earning degrees. The majority of the graduates are from North Carolina.
Kirk Bradley addressed NCCU’s spring 2026 class of on behalf of the UNC Board of Governors. He spoke to the graduates during the morning Baccalaureate, part of the university’s 147th Commencement Exercises.
“As a member of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors, I am proud to stand with you on this special day and to celebrate the achievement, determination and promise represented by this graduating class,” he said.
Bradley reflected on the vital role NCCU plays within the UNC System and across North Carolina, noting the generations of graduates who have strengthened the professional and communal fabric of North Carolina.
In preparation for their future, Bradley charged the newly graduated “… to remember that your education has equipped you not only to succeed, but to serve and to lead.”
He also had the honor to present the 2026 UNC Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching to Dr. Rachelle Gold, a NCCU professor of English for nearly two decades.
“She helps students find their voice, strengthen their critical thinking and grow as writers, scholars and future educators,” Bradley said. He applauded her teaching, her dedication and her service to NCCU.