Spring 2012 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 13, at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Assembly Hall.
10:30 a.m. Ceremony
- College of Applied Health Sciences
- College of Law
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- College of Media
- College of Veterinary Medicine
- Graduate School of Library and Information Sciences
- Institute of Aviation
- School of Labor and Employment Relations
- School of Social Work
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
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Applied Health Sciences, College of
Aviation, Institute of
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Business, College of
Education, College of
Engineering, College of
Fine and Applied Arts, College 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
- Earth, Society, and Environment, School of (Including Atmospheric Sciences; Earth, Society, and Environment; Geography; and Geology)
- Economics and Finance, Department of
- English, Department of
- History and Philosophy, Departments of
- Integrative Biology, School of
- Literatures, Cultures, and Linguistics, School of (Including Classics; Comparative and World Literature; East Asian Languages and Cultures; French; Germanic Languages and Literatures; Interdisciplinary Studies; Linguistics; Religion; Slavic Languages and Literatures; Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese; Teaching English as a Second Language; and Translation and Interpretation)
- Mathematics (including Math-Computer Science) and Statistics (including Statistics-Computer Science), Departments of
- Molecular and Cellular Biology, School of
- Physics and Astronomy, Departments of
- Political Science and International Interdisciplinary Studies (Including African Studies; European Union Studies; Global Studies; Individual Plans of Study; International Studies; Latin American and Caribbean Studies; Political Science; Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies)
- Psychology, Department of
- Sociology, Anthropology and Interdisciplinary Studies (Including African American Studies; Anthropology; Gender and Women's Studies; Latina/Latino Studies; and Sociology)
Library and Information Science, Graduate School of
Media, College of
Social Work, School of
Veterinary Medicine, College of
Special Programs
Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center Black Congratulatory Ceremony
The Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center will host a formal congratulatory ceremony for all graduating African American students. The ceremony will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, in 100 George Huff Hall, 1206 South Fourth Street, Champaign. Academic attire and tickets are required. The open registration cost is $55 and is March 5 through April 9. Registration takes place in person at the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center at 708 South Mathews, Urbana. Questions should be directed to Ashley M. Davis, (217) 333-2092 or via email.
Tri-Service ROTC Commissioning Ceremony
The Military Education Council will host an Tri-Service ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 14, in the Foellinger Auditorium, 709 South Mathews, Urbana. The formal ceremony is open to the public. 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/Latino Congratulatory Program at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, in Foellinger Great Hall, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 500 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana. Graduating students who plan to participate must register by April 13. Family and friends are welcome to attend. For additional information and updates please see http://studentaffairs.illinois.edu/diversity/lacasa/ Congratulatory.html. Questions should be directed to Lizette Rivera, (217) 244-4514.
Native American House
The Native American House will host a congratulatory program for all Native American graduates. The program will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, at the Illini Union, in Illini Rooms A, B & C. Advanced registration is required by April 6 at http://studentaffairs.illinois.edu/diversity/nah/ceremony.html. Academic attire and/or traditional Native American regalia is encouraged. A reception will follow. Questions should be directed to Jamie Singson, (217) 244-8983.
Phi Beta Kappa
The Phi Beta Kappa scholastic honorary society will hold its initiation ceremony at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 11, 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, (217) 333-0925.
Weekend Activities
GradFest 2012 - University of Illinois Alumni Association
The University of Illinois Alumni Association and its Student Alumni Ambassadors invite all UI graduates and their families to GradFest 2012 - the annual Commencement party held at the Alice Campbell Alumni Center on Lincoln Avenue near Illinois Street. Celebrate your days on campus as you look ahead to the future. Sunday, May 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Includes great food, live music and raffle prizes. For more information, visit http://www.uiaa.org/illinois/students/gradfest or call (217) 333-1471.
University Library
The first floor of the Main Library is open from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, and Sunday, May 13, for visitors and students to view the University Honors Bronze Tablets.
President’s and Chancellor’s Reception
The President and the Chancellor extend a cordial invitation to all graduates, candidates, and their families to a continental breakfast from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 13, 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
Cokie Roberts, Senior News Analyst for NPR News and Political Commentator for ABC News - will deliver the Commencement Address at the 10:30 a.m. campuswide Commencement ceremony.
Orion Samuelson, Legendary Agribusiness Broadcaster, Agribusiness Director at WGN Radio where he hosts the daily syndicated National Farm Report and Samuelson Sez - will deliver the Commencement Address at the 2:00 p.m. campuswide Commencement ceremony.
Honorary Degree Recipient
Raymond Ozzie, Former Chief Software Architect, Microsoft Corporation - the honorary degree of Doctor of Engineering.
University of Illinois Alumni Achievement Award
Shahid R. Khan, '71 ENG (Industrial Engineering) - President, Flex-N-Gate Corporation
Bradley J. Oltmanns, '79 BUS (Accountancy) - Chairman of the Global Board, PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited
University of Illinois Distinguished Service Award
Paul D. Koch, '66 MS, '68 ENG (Civil Engineering) - Private Consultant and Former Owner/Senior Vice President, MACTEC Federal Programs
A. Mark Neuman, '85 LAS (Economics) - Counselor for International Trade and Global Strategies, Limited Brands
