Commencement 2025
Monday, May 12, 2025
Francis Olympic Field
9:00 a.m.
Recognition ceremonies precede or immediately follow the ceremony.
The Procession
Candidates should march in front of or behind the person with whom they wish to sit, not side by side.
- By 7:45 a.m., all candidates must be at the assembly point designated for each school.
- The procession will begin at 9:00 a.m. sharp, followed by the grand marshal, the chancellor, members of the administration, the Board of Trustees, honorary degree recipients, faculty, and alumni from the 50th reunion class.
The Ceremony
The program begins with the Commencement address, followed by the presentation and conferral of degrees.
- Singing of “America the Beautiful”
The Academic Recession
- All graduates will recess from Francis Olympic Field under the direction of Chancellor Martin.
- Graduates should arrange to meet friends and relatives at one of the festival activity locations across campus to alleviate crowding and enable a quick exit from the ceremony.
The ceremony typically concludes no later than 11 a.m.
Photography and video
Please note that individual pictures of each student at each of the school recognition ceremonies will be available from professional photographers.
- Out of consideration for others, please keep the front of the stage and pathways clear during the ceremony.
- Graduates and guests are encouraged to utilized the professional and self-service photography areas across campus. More information to be posted in the spring.
University photos and video of Commencement will be posted on Widen and YouTube.