CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) — Inside a packed Kenan Stadium was a sea of Carolina blue.

The graduating class that went through COVID uncertainty, a tragic shooting, and now campus protests making it to this day.

“We made it work out and we’re glad, we’re glad we’re graduating we’re finally here and it’s a big relief,” said UNC senior Dev Patel.

Concerns over recent pro-Palestine protests spilled into the Old Well as demonstrators chanted behind people taking pictures and eventually got testy with police.

And inside Kenan Stadium, there was a warning before the start of the ceremony.

“Those who do not adhere to these rules will be asked to leave. Anyone who does not leave when asked or does not put down signs that block view will be removed and arrested,” the announcement said.

No disruptions, but there were some boos for Interim Chancellor Lee Roberts who notably ordered the removal of an encampment a few weeks ago, accompanying police to raise the American flag back on campus after the Palestinian flag was put up.

“Carolina doesn’t belong to you, it sure doesn’t belong to me, it doesn’t belong to any one group this university is something we share,” Roberts told the crowd.

Nasa astronaut and Tar Heel grad Zena Cardman gave the commencement address at Saturday’s ceremony.

In August, Cardman will join NASA’s Space-X Crew-9 mission to head to the international space station.

But in the end, today was about the graduates who say the difficult climate we live in only motivates these Tar Heels to take on the world.

“You know the world is always going to have a lot going on in it but at the end of the day I’m grateful that this evening I can focus on graduating,” said graduate Matthew Bunn.

GREENSBORO, N.C. (WTVD) — Emmy-award-winning journalist and TV host Tamron Hall addressed all of the Aggie graduates Saturday in Greensboro.

She was the keynote speaker for North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s spring commencement.

“I recognize that you lived through the pandemic, and there are people right looking down from heaven that you thought would be here today. I recognize the enormous challenges you faced, but I also recognize that there are no other students like you,” Tamron said.

She encouraged the graduates to invest in their own power and offered advice for when life throws a curve ball.

“If you’re just looking at the roadblock, you really can’t see the road in front of you. So that’s not to say, ‘Yeah there’s a bump, I see that bump.’ Am I just going to stand there and stare at that bump? Or am I going to look at that road and make sure that I’m moving forward?” Tamron said.

She added that it is always important to give yourself grace when faced with challenges.

The Tamron Hall Show airs on ABBC11 every weekday at 2 p.m.

Jim Nantz often isn’t at a loss for words.

Usually the soundtrack of some of the biggest events in sports and some of the biggest moments in history, the North Carolina native usually has the words to describe what he’s seeing and feeling. But when it comes to being inducted into his state’s sports Hall of Fame, you might not need to give him a second to find those words.

“Well, it means my life has kind of gone full circle,” Nantz said of his Hall of Fame induction via WCNC Charlotte. “There’s nothing like going home. Whoever came up with that old line, ‘You can never go home again,’ it’s not true. I mean, this is very meaningful to come back to this state that I love and has meant so much to me and my family. And to be recognized, there are no words.”

The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame ceremony wasn’t just about Nantz, however.

Steve Smith Sr., Bob McKillop, and Ron Wellman were also inducted on Friday. And Nantz, clearly thrilled to be among such an accomplished company, spoke extensively about this trio of individuals, highlighting how their paths had crossed with his own during his remarkable broadcasting career.

“Well, I’m looking at Steve Smith and was around Steve for most of his career,” said Nantz. “Whether it was here in Carolina — where he really made his career — or even when he was in Baltimore. And now that he’s been in the broadcast business, we worked together on Thursday Night Football. So, that’s very cool. I’ve always admired him.

“Coach McKillop, back when (Stephen Curry) and Davidson made that run in ’08, Billy Packer and I had their wins against Gonzaga and Georgetown — the first and second rounds. I had Davidson other years in the NCAA Tournament. I always admired him. I always thought he could’ve coached anywhere, but his commitment and loyalty to Davdison — what a first-class gentleman.

“Ron Wellman from Wake Forest was the chairman of the NCAA basketball committee, and that was a great part of my life. He’s just done everything in his life with great distinction. Very cool. It’s an amazing class. And I really appreciate them for some reason, deciding I belong in this group. It doesn’t feel real, but I’m gonna accept it tonight.”

Nantz reflected on his own career, being able to call seven Super Bowls and 32 National Championships and Final Fours. It’s hard for him to say anything second to that, but there’s this little event down at Augusta National called The Masters that holds a special place in his heart.

“I’m a father of three, and you try to pick of those sporting events, it’s the same thing,” he said. “Which one’s your favorite child? It’s a little difficult to zero in. But I will say, the tug in the heart was probably driven the most by the Masters tournament. It just always touched me as a kid. I think it was more predicated on the storytelling and quality of description of what I heard from those voices of my youth. I wanted to be one of those voices.”

And he very much is.

[WCNC Charlotte]