Weather didn't dampen spirits at Duke, Carolina graduations
There's no doubt that mother nature has rocked the Class of 2015.
"We came in with an earthquake, and it's only fitting we leave with a tropical storm," laughed Duke graduate Bret Lesaoy.
But a little rain, remnants of Tropical Storm Ana, couldn't dampen spirits as thousands of Duke and University of North Carolina graduates received diplomas on Sunday morning.
The ceremonies culminated a weekend of pomp and circumstance across the state. North Carolina State, North Carolina Central, and Fayetteville State were among the universities that turned their tassels on Saturday.
Graduates celebrated with great memories of the past four years.
"We won a National Championship in our hearts and in our minds in graduating from Duke together," said Justin Erickson, referencing the victory of Duke's 2015 Men's Basketball team.
They also left their ceremonies with inspirational words to fuel their ambitions.
"When you are going through hell, keep going," Jason Kilar told UNC graduates.
Kilar, the former CEO of HULU and a 1993 Carolina graduate, was deeply personal in his commencement address. He told the graduates about the few days following his own graduation, when he packed up his 1982 Subaru hatchback, and headed for the hills of Hollywood in pursuit of a career in movie production.
Ambition and excitement turned into some of Kilar's darkest days as he learned of his father's suicide shortly after graduation.
Coping with tragedy, career rejection, and homelessness in a city of dreams didn't hold Kilar back.
"Dream," Kilar declared. "Dream big. Take risks. Fail. Pick yourself again."
ABC11 congratulates all of the accomplished graduates across the state.
