Commencement Ceremony

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.

The 10 a.m. ceremony will take place for the following schools: College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences; Dreeben School of Education; H-E-B School of Business and Administration; School of Mathematics, Sciences, and Engineering; School of Media and Design; and School of Professional Studies.

• 8:30 a.m. Student Arrival
• 9 a.m. Line-up Check and Faculty Arrival
• 9:40 a.m. Processional Begins
• 10 a.m. Ceremony Begins

The 3 p.m. ceremony will take place for the following schools: Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions; Feik School of Pharmacy; Rosenberg School of Optometry; School of Physical Therapy; and School of Osteopathic Medicine.

• 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

As with every commencement ceremony, Sunday best attire is encouraged under your commencement regalia (cap and gown).

Your participation was noted in the Statement of Intention to Graduate form at beginning of the semester. No further confirmation is required.

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.

All cars with graduates should follow the Graduate Parking and Arrival instructions.

Map of Parking and Freeman Expo Hall

Yes, graduates will gather in the Exhibit Hall to line up for the processional one and a half hours prior to the ceremony start time.

Yes! The Grad Team photographers will be on site to take photos as graduates cross the stage. An email to purchase your images will be sent to your UIW email address following the ceremony.

Event photographers will also be on-site, documenting the occasion. By participating in the ceremony, you agree to having your photo taken during the event.

The health and safety of our graduates, staff, and guests are our top priority. As such, masks are recommended but not required for all participants and guests at the commencement ceremony. In order to safely practice social distancing, guest tickets are limited to 12 per graduate.

All UIW COVID-19 guidelines and recommendations will be in place for Commencement. It is recommended that individuals make use of proper masking and social distancing. Graduates may wear a mask according to their comfort level and will be asked to use the provided hand sanitizer before crossing the stage. Guests are recommended to social distance between parties throughout the Freeman Coliseum.

The UIW Mask Policy no longer mandates the wearing of masks indoors/outdoors whether you are vaccinated or unvaccinated. Other conditions apply. Please review the latest update to the Mask Policy (3/16/2022) for the most recent changes. Should you choose to wear a mask, CDC recommends using a high-quality mask that has two or more layers that fit snugly and includes a nose wire for a closer fit and to prevent gaps for the best protection. For more information, visit CDC - Your Guide to Masks.

We kindly ask that graduates meet their guests outside following the ceremony. Guests will not be allowed on the floor of the Freeman Coliseum.

Yes, all commencement ceremonies will be livestreamed. Please visit UIW's Commencement site to view your ceremony. The livestream will remain available for viewing on this page and on the UIW YouTube channel.

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