John and Marcia Price College of EngineeringConvocation Ceremony
Spring 2023
Date: Friday, May 5, 2023Location: Jon Huntsman Event CenterCeremony Time: 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Student Check-in: 1:30pmProcession begins: 2:40pmRecessional concludes: 5:00pm
University of Utah Commencement is on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 6:00pm.
What to do Before Convocation
Make sure to apply before March 1 to ensure you are listed in the program!
- Undergraduate students apply here.
- Graduate students apply here.
- To ensure your graduation application process goes smoothly, please verify that your graduation requirements are fulfilled and that your diploma mailing information is up to date. Review the Graduation Checklist.
- If you desire to use your Preferred Name on your diploma and in the convocation program, please notify the Graduation Division in writing by March 1st.
Preorders for student regalia begin March 1st. SAVE THE DATE: GRAD FAIR MARCH 24-26th
Wear your cap and gown proudly to celebrate your academic achievement. All graduates are welcome to purchase their cap, gown, and other graduation accessories at the campus store.
The regalia worn at commencement and Convocation are to celebrate academic achievement. Ribbons or cords may be attached to the robe to denote membership in an officially recognized academic organization or honor society by nomination and/or election. Ribbons or cords must be designed by the organization and must be consistent for all members. They must be no larger than 2 inches in width and 11 inches in length and must be attached to the front of the robe at the left or right shoulder. Other embellishments to the academic robe or cap are not permitted.
We are incredibly proud of our resilient students who have worked diligently to achieve their goals.
Each department will have a graduation webpage where recognition will be given to their 2022 graduating students. Photographs of students who submit a photo will be displayed along with a description of themselves, their accomplishments, and any words of appreciation they would like to provide. These pages will allow classmates, family members, friends, and loved ones to browse through and see your accomplishments.
If you would like to participate, click here.
Please read what to expect on the day of Convocation carefully. It is essential to graduating students, friends, and family who will be attending the ceremony; it includes convocation procedures, instructions, and tips that will be helpful.
What to expect on the day of convocation
Early Arrival
We cannot overemphasize the importance of your early arrival to line up. Late arrivals cause unnecessary confusion, and once the march begins, it is impossible to pick up your card or find your proper place in line.
Graduation is a time to celebrate student success with family, friends, and classmates. Attending the duration of Convocation is highly encouraged to show support to each student receiving their diploma. Convocation is expected to conclude at 5:00pm, so please plan your celebration events and travel according to this schedule.
All candidates for degrees will line up outside the Huntsman Event Center beginning at 1:30pm. Students will begin marching in at 2:40pm
Departments will have a table, and candidates should line up behind the appropriate table. Department representatives will give you a reader card with your name printed on it. Please check the card carefully for its accuracy. If your name is often mispronounced, make sure it is phonetically spelled out on the card; otherwise, the reader may mispronounce it. You may also place honorary ribbons on your regalia. (See below for instructions on the appropriate display of ribbons.) There will be a professional photographer taking pictures of the diploma ceremony. Posing for personal photos is not allowed on the floor.
After receiving the reader card, candidates should remain outside their department table. Department and COE staff will be lining you up for the processional. There will be markers indicating the specific degrees; candidates should line up behind the appropriate marker. COE personnel will be there to assist. If you are not in the correct line, you may not be seated appropriately, and your name will not be read under the proper degree.
The processional into the event center will begin promptly at 2:40pm. Graduate students will proceed double file through the tunnel into the arena and be seated on the main floor. Undergraduate candidates will proceed through doors 2 and 3 and be seated in lower bowl reserved seats. COE staff will provide directions and assistance to the seating areas.
During the awarding of diplomas (covers only), you will be directed to a reader table to hand the reader your card. As your name is read, walk to the Dean’s reception line closest to your reader table.
Candidates for the MS and ME degrees wear their hoods.
Ph.D. candidates carry the hood over the left arm when approaching the reception line. The Dean and appropriate faculty member will place the hood over the candidate’s head. (Instructions for the procedure will also be given to you when you line up outside)
After receiving your diploma (cover only), you will be directed to the photographer, then back to your seat.
After the program, undergraduates will exit up the stairs at Sections P & Y, and graduates will exit back through the tunnel.
It is the practice of the Price College of Engineering to have faculty hood their Ph.D. candidates during the diploma presentation of the convocation ceremony. To ensure that this process proceeds smoothly, please read these instructions carefully:
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- Step 1: After the Ph.D. candidate’s name has been read, s/he proceeds to the Dean’s reception line to receive the diploma. The hood should be draped over the left arm. Please be sure that the hood is unbuttoned to fit over the graduation cap.
- Step 2: As the candidate approaches the Dean, the faculty advisor or department chair (if the advisor is not present) will step forward and stand on the candidate’s left side. The Dean will be on the candidate’s right side. The Dean will give the diploma cover to the candidate, and the candidate should hand the hood to the Dean.
- Step 3: The Dean and the faculty/chair will each take one side of the hood and lower the hood over the candidate’s head from the rear.
- Step 4: The candidate shakes hands with the faculty/chair and the Dean and smiles for the photo.
- Step 5: The candidate proceeds forward to the center aisle, where the faculty will be standing to offer their congratulations.
Because there is ample seating in Huntsman, we encourage you to invite family and friends. Family members are advised to arrive at 2:15pm. Entrance into the Jon Huntsman Event Center will not be allowed until the prior Convocation concludes and exits the arena.
The best seats will be in Sections D through J, A, Z, M, and N. Sections C, B, K, L, Y, X, P, and Q will be reserved for the undergraduates. Guests should plan to be seated by 2:30pm and may take seats of their choice in any area of the Huntsman Center except those reserved for graduates.
Strollers and walkers are not allowed into the arena seating areas, nor are they allowed in any wheelchair cutouts. They may be stored at the ticket counter near Portal 23.
Guests needing ADA access to the Huntsman Center may have someone drop them off directly in front of the Huntsman center on the circle. All the shuttles will be lift-equipped. No passes or permits are needed during Convocation.
Guest Seating: Guests will enter the Huntsman Center on the second level. As guests enter each portal, wheelchair cutouts are located in each section of the arena in row 31, which is level with the concourse. They are available on a first-come basis. There is NO accessible seating at floor level.
Strollers and walkers are not allowed into the arena seating areas, nor are they allowed in any wheelchair cutouts. They may be stored at the ticket counter near Portal 23.
Limit what you bring to convocation. We encourage no bags. If you have one, only clear bags allowed and bags will be checked by security staff.
Graduate students (including BS/MS) will line up on the lower level nearby the west tunnel entrance. Undergraduates will line up on the upper level, north of the Huntsman Center, in the arena concourse between portals 17-21 (Next to HPER West).
Convocation is a special time for you and your family. We offer our congratulations and best wishes and will do everything we can to make your day a memorable one. Contact the Dean’s Office if you have any questions or have special needs.
Diploma covers will be distributed during the in-person convocation event as each student is recognized. If you cannot attend Convocation, you may purchase a diploma cover from the Campus Store. If purchased, diplomas are mailed to your current mailing address in CIS. Please make sure that your address is up to date no later than March 1. You can update your address by visiting your CIS Profile.
The Office of the Registrar has carefully ordered enough diploma covers for graduates to receive one diploma cover each. If students want supplemental diploma covers, they may be purchased at the Campus Store. If a student is not able to attend their convocation ceremony, they can come to the Office of the Registrar to pick up their diploma cover.
A professional photographer from Island Photography will be taking photographs of each graduate as they are recognized during the ceremony. Within 48 hours of commencement, you will be emailed a secure link and a PIN to view and order your photos. You can also register the email addresses of your friends and relatives so that they will receive a direct link to your proofs!
Posing for personal photos is not allowed on the floor.
Click here to order and view your graduation proofs through Island Photography.
If you have any questions, please contact Island Photography customer service at 1-800-869-0908.
University leaders encourage friends, family members, and graduates who cannot attend the in-person Convocation to tune in virtually at utah.edu/live.
Graduation is only the beginning! Stay connected and engaged with the College of Engineering at the University of Utah through your free Engineering Alumni Association membership. Join here.
This page will continue to be updated as we discover new information. Please check back for further updates.