Graduation Tickets and Pick-Up Schedule

Each participating graduate is allowed to receive 4 invitations and admit cards for guests to attend the commencement ceremony.  Please be mindful that invitations are not the same as announcements.  Invitations are specifically for those guests who will actually attend the commencement ceremony.  Announcements can be ordered from Herff Jones directly and are for individuals who are not attending commencement.  The invitation and ticket distribution will begin on Monday, May 1st, 11:00 AM-7:00 PM, Van Ness Campus, Student Life and Services Suite, Student Center, 1stFloor.  Photo identification and signature is required upon invitation pick up.

Invitation Distribution Schedule

Invitations will be available for distribution according to the schedule below.  Invitations may be picked up from the Van Ness Campus, Office of Student Life and Services, Student Center, First Floor.  Photo identification and signature is required for invitation pick up.

Monday, May 1-Friday, May 5: 11:00 AM-7:00 PM

Monday, May 8 and Tuesday, May 9: 11:00 AM-7:00 PM

Wednesday, May 10: 11:00 AM-4:00 PM (Graduation Rehearsal at 5:00 PM)

Thursday, May 11: 11:00 AM-7:00 PM

Friday, May 12: 11:00 AM-4:00 PM

University Honors Eligibility, Honor Cords and Name Cards:

Many graduates have inquired about the eligibility criteria to receive a University Honor.  Please see attached document titled “Academic Awards Categories-Spring 2023”.  For questions or additional information, please contact the Office of the Registrar at uregistrar@udc.edu.  Honor cords and name cards (needed for commencement) may be picked up at the Office of the Registrar, Van Ness Campus, Building 39, A-Level. The Office of the Registrar is located in the Enrollment Services Suite.

Monday, May 1-Friday, May 12: 8:30 AM-5:00 PM

Wednesday, May 10: 5:00 PM-7:00 PM

Saturday, May 13: Morning of Commencement at the Convention Center

Commencement Decorum

The graduation ceremony is a festive occasion, but also a formal academic event. The celebration manifests itself in the dress of the students and faculty adorned in academic regalia, and the joy and satisfaction of accomplishment. The ceremony is also marked by seriousness where the actual conferring of degrees signifies the hard work of everyone involved: students, faculty, administrators, and family. Because of the serious nature of the ceremony, students and their guests are expected to maintain a measure of decorum consistent with the occasion.

• Expect to dedicate most of the day to your special day. The ceremony will begin promptly at 10:00 am, with a run time of approximately 3 hours.
• Graduates and their guests are expected to stay for the duration of the event.
• All graduates are expected to attend the entire ceremony and to participate in both the processional and recessional.*
• Plan any after Commencement events for after 2:00 pm.

You have spent many years earning your degree, you can take 3-4 hours to honor your achievement.

*Commencement begins with the academic procession. The audience is asked to rise as the procession enters and remain to standing until the platform party has taken its place.

*Commencement closes with the recessional. After the singing of the Alma Mater, the audience is asked to take their seats and remain seated for the retrieval of colors and the recessional of the platform party, faculty, and students.