More than 8,000 Graduates Expected to Receive Diplomas at Charlotte's Historic Venues
30 graduations for high schools and colleges set for Bojangles’ Coliseum and Ovens Auditorium in May, June, July, October and December
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 11, 2016) – Two iconic Charlotte venues will welcome more than 100,000 guests over the next few months but not for the typical rock shows, rodeos and performances that Bojangles’ Coliseum and Ovens Auditorium are typically known for hosting. Graduation season will welcome 30 commencements split among both venues, where more than 8,000 high school and college graduates are expected to accept their diplomas with family and friends cheering them on.
Graduations aren’t a new type of booking for the venues, but the popularity to hold graduations at the complex has grown in recent years.
“We hear from so many Charlotte residents reminiscing about the experiences they've had at these venues," says Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) CEO Tom Murray. “From cheering on the Checkers to their high school graduations, both venues have become an integral piece of Charlotte history. We’re excited to see these historic gems being embraced each graduation season by the community.”
Graduation ceremonies begin on May 12 with Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) and will continue throughout the next few months with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), Charlotte Catholic High School, Gaston College, Brightwood (formerly Kaplan) College and Charlotte School of Law. Additional graduations for the Art Institute of Charlotte, the University of Phoenix and King's College are also planned for later this year.
Below is a full schedule of upcoming graduations:
*Please note that heavy traffic may occur on Independence Boulevard at or around the following times.
BOJANGLES' COLISEUM
Date | School | Time |
Thursday, May 12 | Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) | 4 p.m. |
Friday, May 13 | Gaston College | 4 p.m. |
Saturday, May 14 | Charlotte School of Law | 2 p.m. |
Friday, June 3 | Charlotte Catholic High School | 5 p.m. |
Thursday, June 9 | Garinger High School | 9 a.m. |
Thursday, June 9 | Providence High School | 12:30 p.m. |
Thursday, June 9 | Berry Academy of Technology | 4 p.m. |
Thursday, June 9 | South Mecklenburg High School | 7:30 p.m. |
Friday, June 10 | David W. Butler High School | 9 a.m. |
Friday, June 10 | East Mecklenburg High School | 12:30 p.m. |
Friday, June 10 | Harding University High School | 4 p.m. |
Friday, June 10 | Olympic High School | 7:30 p.m. |
Saturday, June 11 | West Charlotte High School | 12:30 p.m. |
Saturday, June 11 | Independence High School | 4 p.m. |
Saturday, June 11 | Rocky River High School | 7:30 p.m. |
Tuesday, June 14 | West Mecklenburg High School | 8:30 a.m. |
Tuesday, June 14 | William Amos Hough High School | Noon |
Tuesday, June 14 | Mallard Creek High School | 3:30 p.m. |
Friday, June 17 | Art Institute of Charlotte | TBD |
Saturday, Oct. 22 | University of Phoenix | 11 a.m. |
OVENS AUDITORIUM
Date | School | Time |
Thursday, May 19 | Cato Middle College High School | 2 p.m. |
Thursday, May 19 | Levine Middle College High School | 4:30 p.m. |
Thursday, June 9 | Performance Learning Center | Noon |
Thursday, June 9 | iMeck Academy at Cochrane | 3:30 p.m. |
Thursday, June 9 | Hawthorne High School & Lincoln Heights Academy | 7 p.m. |
Friday, June 10 | Military & Global Leadership Academy | 8:30 a.m. |
Friday, June 10 | Northwest School of the Arts | Noon |
Wednesday, July 13 | CMS Summer School | TBD |
Friday, July 22 | Brightwood (formerly Kaplan) College | TBD |
Friday, Dec. 16 | King's College | TBD |
Phase 2 of the $16 million renovation will begin at Bojangles' Coliseum on June 20 and run through Oct. 21. Updates will include HVAC, electrical and mechanical upgrades as well as some interior and exterior enhancements.
About Bojangles’ Coliseum
Bojangles’ Coliseum first opened in 1955 as the largest unsupported steel dome coliseum in the nation. Since then, the multipurpose venue has hosted a wide array of concerts, sporting events, family shows and other diverse entertainment events. The celebrated facility has been known by many names: Charlotte Coliseum, Independence Arena, Cricket Arena and currently Bojangles’ Coliseum. bojanglescoliseum.com
About Ovens Auditorium
Ovens Auditorium, located adjacent to Bojangles' Coliseum, opened in 1955. With a seating capacity of approximately 2,400, Ovens has hosted more than 7,000 events including Broadway shows, symphony concerts, opera, dance recitals and nationally known speakers. ovensauditorium.com
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