Spring 2009 Ceremonies

Campuswide Ceremonies

In order to accommodate all degree candidates and their guests, the Urbana-Champaign campus of the University of Illinois has scheduled two campuswide Commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 17, at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Assembly Hall.

2 p.m. Ceremony

College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

College of Business

College of Education

College of Engineering

College of Fine and Applied Arts

College, School, and Departmental Convocation Ceremonies and Receptions

In addition to the campuswide Commencement ceremony, the following units sponsor convocations and/or receptions. Most of these units require tickets and/or advance registration. You should receive information regarding any unit convocation directly from that unit. If you have not received information by April 1, please call the contact person listed for that ceremony. Diploma covers will be presented to graduates participating in each of the unit convocations, unless otherwise noted. Convocation details are available by linking to the college/school/department web site.

Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, College of

Applied Health Sciences, College of

Aviation, Institute of

Business, College of

M.B.A. and Executive M.B.A.

Education, College of

Engineering, College of

Physics, Department of (Undergraduates also see Physics and Astronomy under Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of)

Fine and Applied Arts , College of
Architecture, School of
Art and Design, School of
Dance, Department of
Landscape Architecture, Department of
Music, School of
Theatre, Department of
Urban and Regional Planning, Department of

Labor and Employment Relations, School of

Law, College of

Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of
Astronomy, Department of (See Physics and Astronomy)
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Department of
Chemistry, Department of
Communication, Department of
Economics and Finance, Department of
English, Department of
History and Philosophy, Departments of
Integrative Biology, School of
Literatures, Cultures, and Linguistics, School of (Including Cinema Studies; Classics; Comparative and World Literature; East Asian Languages and Cultures; French; Germanic Languages and Literatures; Religion; Slavic Languages and Literatures; Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese; and the Teaching of French, German, and Spanish)
Mathematics (including Math-Computer Science) and Statistics (including Statistics-Computer Science), Departments of
Molecular and Cellular Biology, School of
Physics and Astronomy, Departments of
Psychology, Department of
Social Sciences (Including African Studies; Gender and Women's Studies, Individual Plans of Study; International Studies; Latin American and Caribbean Studies; Political Science; Russian, East European, and Eurasian Center
Sociology, Anthropology and Earth Sciences (Including Anthropology; Atmospheric Sciences, Geography, Geology, and Sociology)

Library and Information Science, Graduate School of

Media, College of

Social Work, School of

Veterinary Medicine, College of

Special Programs

Tri-Service ROTC Commissioning Ceremony
The Military Education Council will host an Tri-Service ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 18, in the Foellinger Auditorium, 709 South Mathews, Urbana. The formal ceremony is open to the public and will be followed by a reception. Questions should be directed to the Department of Air Force Aerospace Studies, (217) 333-1927.

La Casa Cultural Latina
La Casa Cultural Latina will host a formal Latina/o Congratulatory Program at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, in the Great Hall, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 500 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana. Graduating students who plan to participate must register by April 15. Family and friends are welcome to attend. Questions should be directed to Adele Lozano, (217) 333-4950.

Native American House
The Native American House will host a congratulatory program for all Native American graduates. The program will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, at the Illini Union, in Illini Rooms A & B. Advanced registration is required by April 16 at http://www.nah.uiuc.edu/services/ceremony/.  Academic attire and/or traditional Native American regalia is encouraged. A reception will follow.  Questions should be directed to Durango Mendoza, (217) 265-9870.

Phi Beta Kappa
The Phi Beta Kappa scholastic honorary society will hold its initiation ceremony at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 15, in the Illini Union Ballroom, 1401 West Green Street, Urbana. A reception will follow the ceremony. All members of Phi Beta Kappa and new initiates are cordially welcome. Questions should be directed to Mark Hasegawa-Johnson, jhasegaw@illinois.edu, (217) 333-0925.

Weekend Activities

University of Illinois Alumni Association
The University of Illinois Alumni Association cordially invites all graduates, candidates and their families to GradFest 2009 - an open house at the Alice Campbell Alumni Center on Lincoln Avenue near Illinois Street - on Saturday, May 16 from Noon to 2 p.m. The day will include tours of the facility, great food and live entertainment. Rain or shine. For more information, call (217) 333-9829.

University Library
The first floor of the Main Library is open from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17, for visitors and students to view the University Honors Bronze Tablets.

President’s and Chancellor’s Reception
President White and Chancellor Herman extend a cordial invitation to all graduates, candidates, and their families to a reception from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 17, in the gardens of The President’s House, 711 West Florida Avenue, Urbana. Academic attire is encouraged. In case of rain, call (217) 337-0711.

Campus Landmarks for Photos
Suggested popular landmarks to use as backdrops when taking photographs of graduates.

Commencement Speaker

Suze Orman will deliver the Commencement Address at the 10:30 a.m. campuswide ceremony. Graduates are invited to twitter Ms. Orman at SuzeOrmanShow and should identify themselves as a member of the Class of 2009. More information about Ms. Orman may be found at http://www.suzeorman.com.

Carl Schramm will deliver the Commencement Address at the 2:00 p.m. campuswide ceremony. More information about Dr. Schramm may be found at http://www.kauffman.org/about-foundation/carl-schramm-biography.aspx.

Honorary Degree Recipients

10:30 a.m.
Suze Orman, Emmy Award Winner, New York Times Best-selling Author, TV Host, Philanthropist, and Illinois alumna.

2:00 p.m.
Carl Schramm, President and CEO, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

Hang on to your mortarboards—it's time for Commencement!