| Commencement

Students approved for graduation will receive a link through their Cardinal email on November 18 to claim their tickets for Commencement and the Baccalaureate Mass. Please contact the Registrar’s Office if you have questions about obtaining the link. The ticket portal opens on November 18. Students receive three (# of tickets pending) Baccalaureate Mass tickets, one for the graduate and two guests, and 15 commencement tickets. Due to fire code and other restrictions, seating is limited at the Chapel of the Incarnate Word. Tickets will be issued on a first come, first served basis. Register early as tickets are usually in high demand.

For Guests:

Doors will open one hour prior to each ceremony. In order to avoid missing the processional, guests should be seated twenty minutes prior to the start time.

For Students:

Graduates must check in with the Office of the Registrar at the Expo Hall behind the Freeman Coliseum. When planning your arrival time, please expect increased traffic through the West Gate entrance which may delay parking access.

Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 3:00 pm
Freeman Coliseum
3201 E. Houston
San Antonio, TX 78219

Student arrival information:

• 1:30 p.m. Student arrival
• 2:00 p.m. Line-up Check and Faculty Arrival
• 2:40 p.m. Processional Begins
• 3:00 p.m. Ceremony Begins

• School of Rehabilitation Sciences
• College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
• Dreeben School of Education
• H-E-B School of Business and Administration
• Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions
• Rosenberg School of Optometry
• School of Mathematics, Science and Engineering
• School of Media and Design
• School of Professional Studies

Additional information

• Parking is $15.00. Payment may be made by cash or credit card.
• Ticketing portal will open on November 18, 2024
• Students will receive 15 tickets for commencement

Map of Parking and Freeman Expo Hall

Graduates must check in with the Office of the Registrar at the Expo Hall behind the Freeman Coliseum. When planning your arrival time, please expect increased traffic through the West Gate entrance which may delay parking access.

Student arrival information:

• 1:30 p.m. Student Arrival
• 2 p.m. Line-up Check and Faculty Arrival
• 2:40 p.m. Processional Begins
• 3 p.m. Ceremony Begins

Processional begins at 2:40 p.m.

• School of Rehabilitation Sciences
• College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
• Dreeben School of Education
• H-E-B School of Business and Administration
• Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions
• Rosenberg School of Optometry
• School of Mathematics, Science and Engineering
• School of Media and Design
• School of Professional Studies

Map of Parking and Freeman Expo Hall

No. The graduating person does not need a ticket for commencement.

Tickets are required for both Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement. For the Baccalaureate Mass, students will receive three tickets (one graduate and two guest). For Commencement, each graduate will receive 15 tickets, graduates do not require a ticket. All guest ages 3+ require a ticket.

Students approved for graduation will receive a link through their Cardinal email on November 18 when the ticket portal opens to claim their tickets for Commencement and the Baccalaureate Mass. 

If there are any unclaimed tickets, an email will be sent to graduates to claim extra tickets (no more than two additional tickets) on a first-come, first-serve basis.

We anticipate each ceremony to last on average two and a half hours. When planning events after your ceremony, we advise that you allow for additional time to exit the parking lots with heavy traffic.

A livestream will be available on the University's YouTube channel. 

UIW YouTube Channel

No. The Commencement Ceremony is an in-person event. We will offer a livestream of the event so that graduates can hold family watch parties and host gatherings safely. The ceremony will remain available for viewing on the UIW YouTube page.

UIW YouTube Channel

The $50 graduation fee is not associated with the ceremony. The graduation fee is applicable to all graduates, even those who are not participating in the ceremony. The fee covers services including, but not limited to, degree audits and the printing and shipping of diplomas. This fee is non-refundable.

Yes, the Freeman Coliseum has parking available for graduates and their guests. Graduates receive one complimentary parking permit for Lot 9. Information will be sent to each graduate by email.

Guests may use lots 1 and 2, and parking is $15 CASH ONLY per vehicle. Please see the map detailing which gates to use to access the correct lots.

Map of Parking Freeman Coliseum

Please be advised that this year’s Commencement Ceremony will conclude with a confetti cannon, which will be loud. These elements will go off directly after Dr. Evans’ speech. If you prefer to avoid being present when the cannons go off, you are welcome to remain in the backstage area after you cross the stage and have your picture taken. You may then depart through the back ramp doors early to avoid the loud bursts associated with the cannons. Thank you.

Accommodations

The University of the Incarnate Word provides reasonable accommodations for special events with adequate notice. To request disability accommodation for events, please complete the online form.

Request for Event Accommodations

There are no bag or purse restrictions.