Commencement

Doors will open one hour before each event. We ask that graduates and their guests be seated 15 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.

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

There is no limit on the number of guests that can attend the Pre-Commencement celebration. Graduates will be asked to estimate the number of guests to ensure we have adequate seating. Guests will be seated separately from the graduates during the ceremony and will be first-come, first-served.

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.

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/

There will be no food provided at this event, however water stations will be available to our guests.

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/

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 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

Madison Metro bus service has regular stops along John Nolen Drive, Olin Avenue, and Rimrock Road. There are currently two bus stops on Rimrock Road, two on John Nolen Drive, and one on Olin Avenue, adjacent to the Alliant Energy Center. Visit the Metro Transit to plan your trip.