Doctoral, MFA and Medical Professional Degree Candidate Commencement
Friday, May 13, 2022
Kohl Center, 5:30 p.m.
Doors open at 3:30 p.m.
The ceremony will include remarks from Chancellor Rebecca Blank, UW System Board of Regents, and three Honorary Degree recipients: Krishna Ella, Keith Nosbusch, and Ernest Grant. The ceremony will last approximately 2 hours. Degree candidate names will be read as they cross the stage and receive their diploma folder.
Graduate seating is arranged by School, College, and Degree type. View a graduate seating map (pdf). Faculty escorts are encouraged to participate with PhD candidates.
Guests, family members and friends are welcome to attend. No tickets are required for attendees; seating is first come, first served. Families needing additional assistance or accommodations should see our section below about Kohl Center accessibility.
Download a save the date graphic!
If you are a graduate in need of ADA accommodations please email accessibility@chancellor.wisc.edu
Direct your questions to commence@chancellor.wisc.edu
Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Law Degree Candidate Commencement
Saturday, May 14, 2022
Camp Randall Stadium, 12:00 Noon
Gates open at 10:00 a.m.
The ceremony will include remarks from Chancellor Rebecca Blank, UW System Board of Regents, our Keynote Speaker, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, and representatives from the Senior Class Office.
The ceremony will last approximately 90 minutes. Degree candidates will be recognized en masse by each school and college. Individual names will not be read. Graduate seating is arranged by School, College and Degree type. View a graduate seating map. (pdf).
There are no tickets for attendees, seating is first come, first served. Graduates or guests needing assistance or accommodations should see our section below about Camp Randall accessibility.
A note about Camp Randall. Camp Randall Stadium is over 100 years old and currently undergoing renovation to its South End Zone. The field has been removed and graduates will be seated either on the field or in the stands. The Class of 2022 will have a unique commencement experience – a peek beneath the turf so to speak, and will be part of a new chapter in Camp Randall’s history. We look forward to making this a memorable and historic occasion for all who participate. The construction will not impact attendance capacity and we look forward to welcoming all who wish to attend.
Download a save the date graphic!
If you are a graduate in need of ADA accommodations please email accessibility@chancellor.wisc.edu
General questions can be directed to, commence@chancellor.wisc.edu
A Note on Public Health
UW–Madison continues to consult public health experts and monitor national public health recommendations regarding our COVID-19 response. With some exceptions — including clinical spaces — masks are no longer required on campus. You are welcome to choose to wear a mask while visiting campus. We ask everyone to respect the choices of others. Please continue to check back here and on our COVID Response page for details pertaining to the impact of public health policy on the event.
APPLY TO GRADUATE!
In order to have your name appear in the Commencement program, you will need to complete the online Apply to Graduate application in your MyUW Student Center. The deadline to complete the application and have your name included in the program is Friday, April 1. After that date, you may still complete the application, however your name will not be included in the printed program.
Visit the student center’s Knowledge Base instruction page for details on how to complete the apply to graduate section. Graduate degree candidates should look for additional information about preparing for commencement on the Graduates School’s “completing your degree” webpage. More information can be found on the Office of the Registrar’s webpage.
RESERVE YOUR CAP AND GOWN
To ensure that your academic regalia is reflective of the new design, please place your reservation order through the University Book Store. View the University Book Store’s timeline for picking up attire. All graduates should reserve their academic attire by April 16, 2022. Call (608) 257-3784, extension 5924, if you have questions.
In Spring 2017, the gown designs were updated to include the University of Wisconsin–Madison colors and crest logo, providing both a pop of red among the traditional sea of black and an additional display of UW spirit that’s recognizable to all. Read about the significance of the cap and gown.
Eligible undergraduate degree candidates that qualify for Distinctive Scholastic Achievement or Honors will be notified by their school, college or honors contact. Once you are notified, you can purchase a stole from the University Book Store. Honors candidates do not need to pre-order stoles; the University Book Store will receive a list of honors candidates in advance of the ceremony. Academic stoles, for the foreseeable future, will also now only be available as purchase only.
Wisconsin Union-Hosted Live Stream of Ceremony and Graduation Events
The Wisconsin Union team invites you to a livestreaming of the Camp Randall Stadium graduation ceremony at Union South’s outdoor Sun Garden and indoor Sett as well as at Memorial Union’s outdoor Terrace or indoor Rathskeller. Seating is first come, first served, and there are thousands of seats available as well as on-site dining options. For more information about these and other Union-hosted graduation events, such as free concerts and free professional photos of grads on big Terrace chairs, visit union.wisc.edu/graduation.
Send Congrats to Your Grad!
As our gift to you (and the graduating class), we invite you to upload a short video message to our Tribute Community Page that honors your graduates. Share one word that represents the class of 2022 and/or one wish you have for them as they move on to the next chapter. Uploading a video is simple and easy. Content will be shared with graduates after the ceremony this weekend. Thank you for sharing a Tribute!
Additionally you can surprise your grad with congratulations and well wishes from their entire family and friend group with a personal graduation video montage. The UW-Madison Parent and Family Program partnered with Tribute to make this service FREE for UW-Madison grads and their families. ($29.99 value)
Capture the Moment
Wear your own cap and gown, and Badger attire is also encouraged! Don’t have your cap and gown yet? No problem, reserve yours today at the University Book Store. Find more information for each photos session online at Empire Photography.
Graduate Portraits
If you'd like to get a professional photo taken in your graduation attire, Graduate Portrait sessions will be held on May 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 and 11 at Memorial Union, 9 a.m.–7 p.m. See TITU for room location
Photos with Abe
Get a free digital photo at this event:
Get your photo with Abe on Mon., May 2 – Tues., May 3 from 9am-3pm (rain date May 4)
Photos at the Arch
Get a free digital photo at this event:
Get your photo under the Arch at Camp Randall on Thurs. May 5 from 9am-3pm.
Prepare to Celebrate
Parking & Shuttle
Complimentary parking is available in almost all campus parking lots on May 13 and 14th. Shuttle services will be available both days.
Carry-In Policy
The carry-in policy applies to both the Kohl Center and Camp Randall Stadium. In order to expedite entry into the Kohl Center and Camp Randall, graduates along with guests are encouraged to limit the number of items they bring. Metal detectors will be in place at the Kohl Center. As guests approach the metal detectors…
Inclement Weather Policy
We are hopeful that Mother Nature will cooperate in the celebration, but because inclement weather is possible, we have put in place plans to ensure a safe commencement celebration. The ceremony is scheduled to take place rain or shine. Given the size of the gathering, it’s not feasible to move the ceremony to an alternate…
Camp Randall Accessibility
Bring Your Own Assistive Device: Please be aware that there will be a considerable amount of on-site travel required to move from the parking lot to your seat in the stadium. If you or your guest(s) requires a wheelchair or any other assistive device to travel any distance, you must bring it with you. Due to high demand,…
Kohl Center Accessibility
Complimentary parking is available in almost all campus parking lots to guests during commencement weekend. Accessible parking at the Kohl Center is limited and is on a first come first served basis. Please note that disabled plates and/or hang-tags are required to secure space in lots reserved for accessible commencement parking. The best lot with ADA stalls…
Faculty Escorts
Commencement is a celebration of the achievements of our graduates, and in this regard the escorts of the candidates are intended to be their major professors who have contributed significantly to their academic growth and success. Degree candidates are responsible for identifying an appropriate professor to serve as a faculty escort, and asking that person…
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This special offer is the Wisconsin Alumni Association's way of saying, "Congrats, Grad!"
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