Commencement Information

December 2021 Commencement Information Coming Soon

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2021 Commencement  ||  2021 Seminary Commencement

The University of Dubuque is committed to celebrating the academic accomplishments of its undergraduate and graduate students. To accommodate proper health and safety protocols, three in-person commencement ceremonies will be held Saturday, May 1, 2021, in the Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center. Graduates will be assigned a specific ceremony time and be given wristbands for up to six guests. The ceremonies will be streamed live on UD Facebook, UD YouTube, and UD Media.

COVID-19 safety measures in place. Face coverings required. Socially distanced seating.

Guest wristbands required for individuals age 4 and older.

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2021

ROTC Commissioning Ceremony
11:00 a.m. --- Steffens Hall, Charles and Romona Myers Center
Event is by invitation only. Face coverings are required.
Livestream: UD Facebook, UD YouTube, and UD Media

FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 2021

2021 Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing Pinning Ceremony
11:00 a.m. --- John and Alice Butler Hall, Heritage Center
Event is by invitation only. Face coverings are required.
Livestream: UD Facebook, UD YouTube, and UD Media

Baccalaureate Service
5:00 p.m. --- John and Alice Butler Hall, Heritage Center
Face coverings are required.
Livestream: UD Facebook, UD YouTube, and UD Media

SATURDAY, MAY 1, 2021

University of Dubuque Theological Seminary Virtual Commencement
9:30 a.m. --- UDTS Facebook and UDTS YouTube
• 2021 Seminary Commencement •

University of Dubuque Commencement – 10:00 a.m.
Graduates were assigned a specific ceremony time and given wristbands for up to six guests.
• 2021 Commencement •

9:15 a.m. --- Graduates Begin to Assemble in the Veterans Memorial Training Center

• Only graduates are permitted to assemble in the Veterans Memorial Training Center.
• Please arrive in full Commencement apparel: cap, gown, and tassel on the right side.
• Face coverings are required.

9:15 a.m. --- Doors Open to Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center

• Face coverings and guest wristbands are required.

10:00 a.m. --- Commencement Begins

Livestream: UD Facebook, UD YouTube, and UD Media

University of Dubuque Commencement – 2:00 p.m.
Graduates were assigned a specific ceremony time and given wristbands for up to six guests.

1:15 p.m. --- Graduates Begin to Assemble in the Veterans Memorial Training Center

• Only graduates are permitted to assemble in the Veterans Memorial Training Center.
• Please arrive in full Commencement apparel: cap, gown, and tassel on the right side.
• Face coverings are required.

1:15 p.m. --- Doors Open to Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center

• Face coverings and guest wristbands are required.

2:00 p.m. --- Commencement Begins

Livestream: UD Facebook, UD YouTube, and UD Media

University of Dubuque Commencement – 6:00 p.m.
Graduates were assigned a specific ceremony time and given wristbands for up to six guests.

5:15 p.m. --- Graduates Begin to Assemble in the Veterans Memorial Training Center

• Only graduates are permitted to assemble in the Veterans Memorial Training Center.
• Please arrive in full Commencement apparel: cap, gown, and tassel on the right side. Assistance will be provided on how graduate student hoods should be carried.
• Face coverings are required.

5:15 p.m. --- Doors Open to Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center

• Face coverings and guest wristbands are required.

6:00 p.m. --- Commencement Begins

Livestream: UD Facebook, UD YouTube, and UD Media

Additional Commencement Information

Undergraduate Student Commencement Apparel and Pick Up
Please check UD email for information on how to order commencement apparel. All orders submitted by Tuesday, March 16, will be ready for pick up at Grad Fest on Monday, April 19, (see information below) or 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 20, through 4:45 p.m. Friday, April 30, in the lower level of Babka Bookstore, Peters Commons.  LIFE – Cedar Rapids graduates will pick up at the Cedar Rapids site, and LIFE – Tempe graduates will pick up at the Tempe site. The cap, gown, and tassel are all yours to keep.  All tassels will be royal blue and white with a 2021 signet. The graduation apparel price is included in the graduation fee you pay when your graduation application is completed. 

Graduate Student Commencement Apparel and Pick Up
Please check UD email for information on how to order commencement apparel. All orders submitted by Tuesday, March 16, will be ready for pick up at Grad Fest on Monday, April 19, (see information below) or from 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 20, through 4:45 p.m. Friday, April 30, in the lower level of Babka Bookstore, Peters Commons.  LIFE – Cedar Rapids graduates will pick up at the Cedar Rapids site, and LIFE – Tempe graduates will pick up at the Tempe site. The cap, gown, tassel, and hood are all yours to keep. The graduation apparel price is included in the graduation fee you pay when your graduation application is completed.

Guest Wristband Pick Up
Graduates can pick up wristbands for up to six guests during Grad Fest on Monday, April 19, (see information below) or at the Babka Bookstore beginning Tuesday, April 20.

Graduates who had their cap, gown, and tassel shipped directly to them will need to pick up their guest wristbands at the Farber Box Office, Heritage Center on Saturday, May 1. The box office is open 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

LIFE – Cedar Rapids graduates may pick up their guest wristbands at the Cedar Rapids site, and LIFE – Tempe graduates may pick up their guest wristbands at the Farber Box Office, Heritage Center on Saturday, May 1. The box office is open 9:00 am. to 6:00 p.m.

Grad Fest
Graduates are invited to a special Grad Fest from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday, April 19, on Grace Street in front of the Peter and Susan Smith Welcome Center. Stop by for free food (11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.), prizes, and fun. The event is hosted by the Office of Alumni Engagement. Graduates can also pick up their regalia during the event instead of stopping by the Babka Bookstore.

Babka Bookstore Hours
Monday and Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Graduation Jewelry
For graduation jewelry, please click here.

Important Ceremony Information
Face coverings are required while indoors, even for those vaccinated. Single use face coverings will be available for those who forget to bring a face covering. The safety and well-being of our graduates, guests, and the entire campus community is of the utmost importance.

Guest wristbands are required for entrance into the Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center.

Only graduates are permitted to assemble in the Veterans Memorial Training Center. Arrive in full Commencement apparel: cap, gown, and tassel on the right side. Please check UD email for additional information cap, gown, and tassel information.

There is not a secure area to store personal items before, during, or after the check-in process at the Veterans Memorial Training Center. It is not recommend to leave personal items behind.

Only graduates are permitted to cross/be on the stage to accept diploma covers. Guests are not allowed in the student seating at any time.

Ceremony Breakdown
Graduates were assigned a specific ceremony time. Here is a breakdown of those ceremonies:

University of Dubuque Commencement – 10:00 a.m.

• Accounting, Business, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Forensics and Security, Computer Information Systems, Digital Art and Design, Economics, Elementary Education, English, Environmental Science, Human Health Science, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Physical Education Teaching K-12, Psychology, Secondary Education – Chemistry, Secondary Education – English, Secondary Education – Environmental Biology, Wellness and Exercise Science

University of Dubuque Commencement – 2:00 p.m.

• Aviation Management/Flight Operations, Communication, Criminal Justice, Fine and Performing Arts, Mathematics, Nursing, Philosophy and Ethics, Psychology, Sociology, Sport Marketing and Management, Theatre

University of Dubuque Commencement – 6:00 p.m.

• LIFE – Undergraduate, LIFE – Graduate, Traditional Graduate, Registered 2020 Graduates

Diplomas
Graduates will receive a diploma cover from UD President Jeffrey F. Bullock at Commencement.

Graduates who have met all degree requirements will receive their diploma by mail. Students who indicated diploma pick-up on their graduation application will be notified via email that their diploma is available for pick-up in the Office of the Registrar.

Students who have not met their academic requirements for graduation will receive an email from the Office of the Registrar. Students with an outstanding college account balance will have their diploma held in the Office of the Registrar until their account is cleared by the Student Accounts Office.

Parking
Parking is available on the UD campus in the following locations and on adjacent streets:

• Finley Lot at Finley and West streets
• University Park Drive Lot at Bennett Street and University Park Drive
• Pearl Street Lot adjacent to the corner of Pearl and McCormick streets
• Lot across from Hardee’s at the corner of McCormick Street and University Avenue

Graduates and guests are reminded not to park in roped off or posted No Parking Areas. Shuttle services will be provided between UD parking lots and the Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center.

Special Needs Parking/Seating
Handicap parking is limited, so please plan accordingly. Parking spots cannot be reserved.

A sign language interpreter has been contracted to provide “signing� services at the ceremony.

Photographs
LifeTouch Photography will take a photograph of each graduate receiving his/her diploma cover from President Jeffrey F. Bullock during Commencement and as they come off of the stage. In addition, LifeTouch Photography will take photographs before and after the ceremony. To view LifeTouch Commencement images, visit www.events.lifetouch.com.

Dubuque Hotels and Attractions
For those traveling to Dubuque and planning to stay overnight, we recommend you call early to reserve a hotel room. Please visit the Travel Dubuque’s website here to learn about local hotels and attractions.

UD’s mantra to help mitigate the spread of the virus is: Practice common sense – good hygiene, social distancing, and wear a face covering for yourself and for others. Face coverings are required in all campus buildings. Face coverings are also required in the City of Dubuque and Dubuque County. For more information on UD’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit www.dbq.edu/COVID-19.

Questions:
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions:

Grad Fest: Katie Kraus, Director for Alumni Engagement – 563.589.3161

Commencement Apparel: Margo Ketels, Director of Campus Stores – 563.589.3765

Commencement Ceremonies: Office of the Registrar – 563.589.3176

UDTS Virtual Commencement: Nicky Story, Director of Seminary Technology and Communications – 563.589.3647

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* Information is subject to change due to the COVID-19 pandemic.