About the Celebrations

Universitywide Commencement Ceremony

The universitywide Commencement ceremony is the official University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign academic ceremony at which the chancellor presides and the university president confers degrees.

Doctoral degree candidates are invited to attend but will not be hooded at the event. Doctoral, bachelor’s, master’s and professional (J.D., D.V.M. and M.D.) degree recipients stand as a group at their seats and are recognized by college. This is a dignified ceremony that lasts about two hours. Academic attire is required. The universitywide ceremony will be livestreamed at go.illinois.edu/live.

This ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in Memorial Stadium.

Convocation Ceremonies

Convocation ceremonies are typically sponsored by a college, school or department. At most convocations, undergraduate and graduate students are individually recognized, which is not possible at the larger universitywide Commencement ceremony.

The main difference between a convocation and the universitywide Commencement ceremony is that degrees are not conferred at a convocation, and are usually hosted by either the dean or department head. Convocations are designed to complement the universitywide Commencement ceremony and are scheduled to avoid any conflict with the universitywide Commencement ceremony. Please follow the instructions sent from the unit regarding convocations. If your unit does not host a convocation, you can still take part in the universitywide Commencement ceremony.