Seating for graduate candidates
Graduates should enter the arena at Gate A (West Dayton Street entrance). Access to candidate seating is via the grand staircase located outside Section 127.
Degree candidate seating will be in designated areas by school, college, or degree on the floor of the Kohl Center. Seating is not pre-assigned by graduate name and is first-come, first-served. No guests, including children, are permitted in the candidate seating area, except for nursing parents. Graduates should remain seated until the conclusion of the ceremony, which is marked by the platform party recession.
Commencement Marshals wearing cardinal red academic attire, as well as ushers and posted signs, will be present to provide seating directions and assistance upon arrival. Degree candidates with faculty escorts (PhD, DMA, MFA) should ask their escort to sit on their right. A digital graduate seating map for the ceremony will be available closer to commencement.
Seating for guests
No tickets are required to attend. Guest seating is general admission, first-come, first-served. There is no limit to the number of guests that graduates may bring.
Only graduates and faculty escorts are allowed on the floor or field before and during the ceremony.
Guests should plan to attend the entire ceremony to celebrate all graduates and their accomplishments. Please remain seated until the conclusion of the ceremony, which is marked by the platform party recession.