Two Spring Commencement Ceremonies Planned: Undergraduate and Graduate
Graduate Ceremony | Thursday, May 7 | 6 p.m. | Nemzek Fieldhouse | Reception to follow
Undergraduate Ceremony | Friday, May 8 | 2 p.m. | Nemzek Fieldhouse | Reception to follow
University leadership has approved the following changes to the Spring 2026 commencement ceremonies, also noted on the Commencement Ceremony website.
What’s changing:
- Both the graduate and undergraduate ceremonies will take place at Nemzek Fieldhouse.
- The graduate programs ceremony will be Thursday, May 7 at 6 p.m. with a reception to follow.
- There will be one undergraduate ceremony for all colleges on Friday, May 8 at 2 p.m. with a reception to follow. (Arts & Humanities, Business, Analytics & Communication, Education & Human Services, Science, Health & the Environment, and University Studies)
- Tickets will not be required for either ceremony.
Why the changes?
The events team constantly reviews the event experience and provided options for leadership consideration. The rationale for this decision:
- More graduates during spring require a larger venue.
- A ceremony with all the undergraduate colleges creates a more celebratory experience and a stronger sense of community.
- Ceremonies at Nemzek Fieldhouse will allow graduates to invite unlimited guests.
- Multiple ceremonies can be challenging for commencement speakers and participants.
- For the first time last semester, the graduate programs ceremony was separate from the undergraduate ceremony, creating a more focused experience for our graduate students.
Looking for more details about graduation or commencement? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for answers.
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