2023 Commencement Update

Dear Twin Cities students, faculty, and staff,

This past fall University leadership announced that due to renovations at the 3M Arena at Mariucci during commencement season in May, many colleges will be joining together for campus-wide conferral ceremonies at Huntington Bank Stadium.

Since then, we have been developing additional opportunities for our spring 2023 graduates to be individually recognized. We want to thank our students, families, alumni, and other groups, including the Undergraduate Student Government, Council of Graduate Students, and undergraduate collegiate boards, for their feedback as we explored a variety of options that would make the commencement experience as memorable as possible for everyone involved.

We are excited to announce details of opportunities for graduates to have their names announced, cross a stage, and for all to be congratulated by University faculty and leaders in the presence of their friends and families.

Our goal is to provide a variety of opportunities that will allow graduates to choose experiences with their guests that celebrate their accomplishments in ways most exciting and meaningful for them.

Next steps for graduates

In mid-February, graduates will receive an email invitation from MarchingOrder to register for their Commencement Conferral Ceremony and, if they wish, to sign up for a stage crossing. Some colleges and departments are also planning individual celebrations; they will send information about those activities directly to their own graduates.

For more information

While additional details are below, I especially encourage you to visit the 2023 University Commencement website for more information about the conferral ceremonies, live streams, tickets, ordering caps and gowns, and for more details about stage crossings. This site will continue to be updated as additional information is available.

If you have questions not addressed here or online, please send an email to [email protected].

To our graduates, we know how hard you have worked to earn your degree, especially through the dual pandemics of the past few years. We join you in looking forward to an exciting and meaningful celebration of your impressive accomplishments.

Sincerely yours,

Rachel T.A. Croson
Executive Vice President and Provost


Conferral Ceremonies

Conferral ceremonies are where degrees will be formally granted by a Regent of the University of Minnesota. These ceremonies will include a procession of graduates, alumni and student speakers, and some special surprises. This is an opportunity for you to celebrate with friends who are graduating regardless of their major, department, or college. More details about these ceremonies will be announced in the coming months, and always available on the 2023 University Commencement website.

Undergraduate Student Conferral Ceremony
Saturday, May 13, 2023
1 p.m. (Note new time)
Huntington Bank Stadium

The undergraduate ceremony will include bachelor’s degree graduates from the College of Biological Sciences, College of Continuing and Professional Studies, College of Design, College of Education and Human Development, College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, Carlson School of Management, and the College of Science and Engineering.

Graduate Student Conferral Ceremony
Friday, May 12, 2023
5 p.m.
Huntington Bank Stadium

The graduate ceremony will include master’s and doctoral degree students from the College of Continuing and Professional Studies, College of Design, College of Education and Human Development, College of Liberal Arts, Carlson School of Management, and the College of Science and Engineering.

If your College/School is not listed above, details of your commencement will be communicated to you directly. If you would like to also participate in a campus-wide conferral ceremony, please contact [email protected].

Stage Crossings

Thursday, May 11–Saturday, May 13, 2023
Various times and locations

To allow students to be recognized individually while their guests have a front-row viewing experience to cheer and take photos and video, we are offering opportunities for individual stage crossings.

Graduates will choose a specific day and time where they will have their name announced, cross the stage, and be congratulated by a University leader. Graduates may choose to coordinate with their friends and colleagues to cross the stage sequentially. In addition, graduate students may choose to invite their advisors and arrange to be hooded during their scheduled stage crossing time. Professional photographers will also be available to take photos. Locations and times will be publicized, and registration will open to graduates in February.

Other Commencement Activities

Over the coming months, graduates will receive information about other commencement-related events across campus. University events will include:

GradFest
Wednesday, March 22 and Thursday, March 23, 2023
10 a.m.–5 p.m. each day
Coffman Memorial Union, Great Hall
Everything graduates need—all in one place.
Gradfest website

The Send Off hosted by the Alumni Association
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
4:30–6:30 p.m.
McNamara Alumni Center
Open House hosted by the Alumni Association with food, gifts, dignitaries, and more!
The Send Off website