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Family and Friends

2025 Graduate Commencement

Friday, May 16, 2025

  • Ceremony: 7 p.m. in the Park Center Alumni Arena
  • Doors open: 6 p.m.
  • Students report to Park Center Corey Gymnasium: 6 p.m.
  • Reception immediately following the ceremony in Park Center Corey Gymnasium

Prior to the Ceremony

  • Check your email for guest assistance confirmation and further instructions regarding parking and/or seating.
  • Make a plan with your graduate about where to meet after the ceremony.
  • Graduate Ceremony guests do not need tickets. 
  • Wear comfortable shoes. The ceremony is held in Alumni Arena (ice arena). Half of the seating available is in bleachers and moving up and down the bleachers may be necessary.

Arriving on Campus at the Park Center

  • Parking is available in the lots surrounding the Park Center. University Police will be on-site fro assistance.  
  • There will be two entrances for the ceremony:
    1. Located on the main level of the Park Center (recommended for guests with accessibility needs)
    2. Upstairs near the poolside lobby. Students will report to the Corey Gymnasium. 
  • Programs will be distributed at the entrance to the ceremony.   

Seating in Park Center Alumni Arena

  • All seating is general admission; available on a first-come, first-served basis. Seating is available in chairs on the floor and in bleachers around the Arena. All guests must be seated for the ceremony.
  • There are some reserved seating areas. In general, any seat that has a program on it is reserved for faculty, staff or students. Accessible seating is in a designated area. Guests will receive a special pass for these seats.

Overflow Seating in Park Center Alumni Arena

  • No tickets are needed to sit in these rooms. The Commencement ceremony will be shown on a large-screen projector in our overflow rooms in Park Center. Overflow rooms include the following: Room 1118, The Hall of Fame Room (suitable for grandparents, or guests that need more comfortable seating, is air-conditioned and readily available to restrooms; this room is first-come, first-served), Room 1101 and Room 2213. 

Ceremony

  • The processional will begin promptly at 7 p.m. Students will enter the Arena through the main floor entrance and up through the center aisle. Please stand when the processional begins and keep all aisles clear of people and belongings.
  • Each student will have his/her name read and photographs will be taken of them crossing the stage.  

After the Ceremony

  • Please remain standing for the recessional. The platform party, faculty and students will all exit the Arena.  
  • Meet your graduate in the designated locations. Generally, students will be escorted by the student line marshals to the gymnasium.
  • A photography backdrop will be available in the gymnasium during the reception. There are several locations around campus that make for great photo backgrounds as well. Our Facilities Operations and Services staff does a tremendous job preparing the campus for Commencement Weekend.

Graduate Commencement Reception 

The university looks forward to celebrating the success of the Class of 2023 at a Graduate Commencement Reception in Park Center, Corey Gymnasium immediately following the ceremony. All students, guests, faculty and staff are invited to attend this event.