Congratulations School of Education Graduates!
“On behalf of Dean Marcelle Haddix and the School of Education, we would like to congratulate you on all of your hard work and dedication to obtaining your degrees. We look forward to celebrating your many accomplishments in our Winter and Spring celebrations. Please take time to review the information below regarding what to expect for your upcoming pre-commencement.”
Spring 2026 Pre-Commencement Celebration
Friday, May 8, 2026
Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD), Doctorate of Occupational Therapy OTD, Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Educational Specialist Certification (EdS) and Master’s and Bachelor’s Degree Candidate celebrations will all take place at the Alliant Energy Center’s Exhibit Hall, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison, WI 53713.
Doctoral, OTD, MFA, EDS and Master’s Degree
Candidate Celebration
Date: Friday, May 8, 2026 at 10 a.m.
Location: Alliant Energy Center, Exhibit Hall
1919 Alliant Energy Center Way
Bachelor’s Degree
Candidate Celebration
Date: Friday, May 8, 2026 at 2 p.m.
Location: Alliant Energy Center, Exhibit Hall
1919 Alliant Energy Center Way
Graduation Resources
For more information and questions regarding School of Education Pre-Commencement celebrations, please email us at events@education.wisc.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Arrival
Doors will open a half hour before each event. We ask that graduates and their guests be seated 10 minutes before event time.
Graduates will need to check in at the registration desk but families are welcome to enter right away and find their seats.
Graduates will be seated in the front and center sections of the space and will be seated based on department and degree type. Event ushers will be on hand to guide you to your seats.
Program
Welcome
Stacey Lee
Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Development
Marcelle Haddix
Dean, UW–Madison School of Education
Karen A. Falk Distinguished Chair in Education
Recognition of Graduates
Percival Matthews
Associate Dean for Academic Programs
Graduates will cross the stage and have their names read as they are congratulated by Dean Haddix. (Note: Doctoral, MFA and OTD candidates will be formally bestowed with their academic hood by their advisor while on the stage.)
After exiting the stage, graduates will then have their photo taken by our professional photographer.
Program Concludes
How many guests can I bring as a graduate?
For our Pre-Commencement celebration we ask that graduates bring no more than 10 guests. Graduates can request extra guests via the registration form. Guests will be seated separately from the graduates during the ceremony and will be first-come, first-served.
Event Timing
Our ceremony typically lasts around 90 minutes, however we do ask guests to plan for 2 hours with parking, graduate check-in, photos, and getting in and out of the event.
Attire
All graduates must to wear the official UW–Madison cap and gown to participate in the ceremony. Ensure your academic regalia reflects your intended degree by reserving through the University Book Store.
https://commencement.wisc.edu/graduates/caps-and-gowns/
Will food be provided?
There will be no food provided at this event, however water stations will be available to our guests.
Accessibility
The UW–Madison School of Education is committed to making our events accessible to everyone. Our venue, the Alliant Energy Center’s Exhibition Hall, is ADA certified. If you require additional accommodations or services, let us know how we can best support you. Please email events@education.wisc.edu to request accommodation information. Please note, accommodation requests should be made no less than two weeks before the event.
For more information on UW–Madison accessibility, please visit our website: https://accessible.wisc.edu/
Parking
Complimentary parking will be available for guests at the Alliant Energy Center’s Exhibition Hall. The parking lot will be located at 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison, WI 53713. We encourage all drivers to give themselves plenty of time to commute to our event and as John Nolen Drive is under construction.
You can access our venue via Rimrock Road. For more information on directions visit: https://www.alliantenergycenter.com/directions-accommodations/locations-maps
For more information on Madison construction and delays, visit: https://www.alliantenergycenter.com/visitors/john-nolen-drive-construction