2019 SPRING COMMENCEMENT

Alumna Emily Procter to deliver spring commencement address

Published Apr 10, 2019 by
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Emily Procter, a 1991 communication graduate, will deliver the spring commencement address to more than 4,100 graduates.

East Carolina University will welcome Emily Procter back to campus on May 3 when she delivers the spring commencement address to more than 4,100 graduates. Procter earned her bachelor’s degree in communication from ECU in 1991.

“Commencement is always one of my favorite times of the year on campus,” said Chancellor Cecil Staton. “I enjoy seeing the excitement on the faces of the graduates and the pride in their families’ eyes as degrees are conferred and tassels turned. We enjoy welcoming graduates back to campus, especially as our featured speaker for commencement. This year, we look forward to hearing about Emily’s journey from Pirate Nation to Hollywood.”

During the spring commencement ceremony, the university will award 4,074 undergraduate and 1,081 graduate degrees, including 131 doctoral degrees. The university will also award 50 dental and 72 medical degrees.

A native of Raleigh, Procter began her journey in front of the camera as a student at ECU. While enrolled in broadcast classes, she simultaneously worked as the weekend weather anchor at WNCT-TV in Greenville.

Following her graduation, Procter moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting. The move west paid off with multiple film and television roles. Most notably, two seasons as Ainsley Hayes on “The West Wing” and 10 seasons as Detective Calleigh Duquesne on “CSI: Miami.”

Commencement Information

Additionally, Procter’s dedication to community service began during her years at ECU. This passion has influenced her most recent endeavor Pippa+Pail, a social impact company offering healthy, low waste grab-n-go children’s lunches. Her company’s commitment to second-chance hiring has gained attention from Richard Branson and Van Jones.

Even though her home is now 3,000 miles away from Greenville, her heart remains in North Carolina and forever a part of Pirate Nation, Procter said.