About Commencement Marshals:
Each year, more than 100 staff and faculty members provide volunteer support at the UW–Madison commencement ceremonies. Serving as a Marshal at commencement is an excellent opportunity to celebrate our students’ achievements, cheer on your favorite graduates, and sing “Varsity” with our 10,000 new Badgers.
Many events during commencement week may be seeking volunteer support. This information relates only to the university commencement ceremony. We are grateful for your consideration of this important role.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.
Who can serve as a Marshal?
Any faculty or staff member can serve as a Marshal. We ask Marshals to identify which school, college, unit or division they are affiliated with to assist with our assignments, but anyone, even if they are not affiliated with a school or college, can serve as a Marshal.
Do Marshals get paid?
No. Marshal service is volunteer-based, and we are very grateful to our university employees who already work long hours and support our graduates at our commencement ceremony in addition to related activities. Thank you for your generosity of spirit!
What degrees participate in the ceremony?
Doctoral, MFA, Professional, Master’s, and Bachelor’s degree candidates from all Schools and Colleges are participating in this Winter’s Commencement ceremony.
What would I do serving as a Marshal at the ceremony?
Marshals assist in getting students to their seats, answering questions, and leading students as they march across the stage for their names to be read, and to collect their diploma covers.
What are the attendance requirements?
All Marshals must attend a mandatory training prior to the ceremony and need to be able to stay for the entire ceremony.
Marshal training (required): Friday, December 13 from 3:00–4:00 p.m. (Kohl Center)
Ceremony: Sunday, December 15 from 9:00 a.m.– 12:30 p.m. (Kohl Center) – ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m.
What should I wear?
All Marshals will be provided with cardinal and white academic regalia (gowns), which will be waiting for you when you arrive in the robing room. We ask that you wear appropriate dress clothes and comfortable shoes. A button down shirt is recommended for attaching the hood to your clothing. If you own your own academic regalia, we encourage you to bring it and wear it! Just indicate that you will bring your own regalia on the RSVP form.
What about parking?
All campus lots are free and there will be a shuttle available along Dayton and Johnson Streets. For those Marshals who need parking, we offer parking passes in Lot 91, located next to the Kohl Center.
This sounds great! How do I sign up?
You can register to Marshal at commencement by completing this registration form. Registration is required by Friday, November 1. In advance of our Marshal training, each Marshal will receive an instruction packet to review prior to the mandatory training session. You will receive your parking permit at the training session if you have requested one.
I still have questions…
Questions regarding marshal service can be directed to Carrie Olson in the Chancellor’s Office at (608) 890-1238 or carrie.olson@wisc.edu. Thank you for your consideration!