Graduation ceremonies held at ECU today

The future is here for thousands of ECU students as they prepare to graduate Friday.

Ceremonies will be held throughout the day, with commencement starting at 7 p.m. at Dowdy Ficklen Stadium. Emily Procter, an ECU alumna and Hollywood actress, will deliver the commencement address to more than 4,100 graduates.

About 5,000 people are expected attend graduation, which means traffic will be heavy in the area, especially around Greenville and Charles Boulevards and 10th Street.

Road closures, including 5th Street between Reade and South Holly Streets near the ECU main campus, will also add delays. Drivers are asked to avoid that area if possible.

While this is a celebratory time, Captain Chris Sutton with ECU police is reminding students to make smart choices.

"This needs to be a moment that they hold themselves up with a lot of pride for their accomplishments and not something they look back on and are saddened by events that occurred that could have been changed," said Sutton.

Those attending the ceremonies should park in the lots around the athletic complex.

You can find more information on graduation