Spring 2024 Commencement
Spring 2024 Commencement will take place on Saturday, May 11, 2024.
A link to the YouTube live stream and Commencement Program will be posted here the week of Commencement.
Official communications regarding Commencement information will be sent from commencement@umontana.edu.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: You must be a degree candidate to receive communications regarding Commencement. Please note you will not receive your diploma at Commencement. Diplomas are mailed to students after final grades are posted, and a final review of degree requirements is completed. This will happen beginning late May and go through August. For information on how to apply for graduation, or the conferring of your degree, please visit our Graduation Information page.
Degree Candidates will attend the ceremony associated with their primary major. Ceremony order and times are listed below. Please visit our Academics page to view the majors in the below colleges.
Degree Candidates will begin lining up 1 hour prior to their assigned ceremony time in the auxiliary gyms located in the Adams Center. There will be no student rehearsal. Please watch this video, made by UM's KPCN team, about what to expect before and during the ceremony.
Ceremony Information
Expand the ceremony below for information on where and when to line up for graduates and faculty.
Below is information pertaining to all graduates regardless of ceremony.
You must have your GradPass with you at all times on May 11. This is a QR code link that will be emailed to you no later than May 1, 2024. Please print your GradPass before the ceremony and/or have the QR code on your phone.
Lining Up in the Aux Gyms:
When you arrive to your assigned Aux Gym, you will line up behind your college's maroon flag. You do not need to be in alphabetical order, however it is asked you line up with the graduates in your department/major. Again, you do not need to line up alphabetically.
On Stage:
When it is your turn to cross the stage, faculty marshals will lead you from your seat to the stage. You will scan your GradPass to have your name displayed and then present it to name readers. You will also receive a diploma cover. Please use hand sanitizer stations as you see them.
Photo On Stage:
It is up to you if you would like to shake President Bodnar’s hand. If you would like to shake hands, extend your hand to him. Please use hand sanitizer prior to entering the stage and upon exiting the stage.
Ceremony & Recession:
Each ceremony is expected to last approximately 2 to 2.5 hours. Each ceremony will include recognition of all graduates in attendance and their names will be read as they cross the stage. There will be a formal recession at the end of the ceremony that will lead to the lobby of the Adams Center.
Students in the following colleges will walk in the Morning Commencement Ceremony: College of Arts and Media, W.A. Franke College of Forestry, College of Health, College of Business
Doors to the Adams Center will open at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2024.
Lining Up and Processing-Graduates will line up in the Aux gyms in the Adams Center located on the second floor. Graduates must be in their below assigned Aux Gym no later than 8:40 a.m. Graduates will begin marching to the arena flow promptly at 8:45 a.m. The ceremony will begin at 9 a.m.
College / Group |
Aux Gym to Line Up In |
| Faculty | West Aux Gym |
| Ph. D Candidates with their hooding Faculty Advisor | East Aux Gym |
| College of Arts and Media | East Aux Gym |
| W.A. Franke College of Forestry | East Aux Gym |
| College of Health | West Aux Gym |
| College of Business | West Aux Gym |
Students in the following colleges will walk in the Afternoon Commencement Ceremony: Phyllis J. Washington College of Education, Missoula College, Department of Public Administration and Policy, College of Humanities & Sciences
Lining Up and Processing- Doors to the Adams Center will open at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2024. Graduates will line up in the Aux gyms in the Adams Center located on the second floor. Graduates must be in their below assigned Aux gym no later than 1:40 p.m. Graduates will begin marching to the arena flow promptly at 1:45 p.m. The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m.
College / Group |
Aux Gym to Line Up In |
| Faculty | West Aux Gym |
| Ph. D Candidates with their hooding Faculty Advisor | East Aux Gym |
| Phyllis J. Washington College of Education | East Aux Gym |
| Missoula College | East Aux Gym |
| Department of Public Administration and Policy | East Aux Gym |
| College of Humanities & Sciences | West Aux Gym |
Regalia
A Herff Jones representative will be on campus in UC 225 with limited regalia on Thursday, May 9 through Saturday, May 11, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you do not pre-order your regalia, please plan to purchase your regalia on one of the listed days.
Faculty- If you ordered regalia from Herff Jones, you must pick it up in UC 225 on the above distribution days. You must return your regalia no later than 5 p.m. on 5/11.
If you are unsure how to wear your regalia, please watch our Commencement Prep video.
RSVP
The deadline to RSVP was 4/24/2024. If you did not RSVP yes, but plan to attend Commencement, please watch your email for your GradPass.
You must have your GradPass at Commencement. It is highly recommended you print a copy and bring it with you on Saturday, May 11. If you do not have it, your name will not be displayed on screen.
Guests and Attendees
No ticket or RSVP is required for guests to attend the Spring 2024 Commencement Ceremony. All parking and seating is first come first serve. We cannot reserve parking or seating.
The Commencement Program will be available online here the week of Commencement.
Doors will open for guest seating at 8 a.m. on May 11 for the morning ceremony and 1 pm for the afternoon ceremony. For seating accommodations, please see an Adams Center Usher. Seating, and parking, are first come first serve. Balloons, of any kind, are not allowed in the Adams Center. Please be mindful of other guests and attendees.
Regarding where to sit as an attendee- If you would like to be seated closest to the side where graduates walk on stage, it is recommended you sit in sections 208 through 210. If you would like to be seated on the side where graduates exit the stage, it is recommended you sit in sections 202 through 204. If you would like assistance finding ADA seating, please see an Adams Center usher on May 11. Sample seating maps of the Adams Center with section numbers, can be found here.
Friends and family who cannot attend in person can view the event on YouTube. The link to this livestream will be posted here the week of Commencement. Each ceremony is estimated to last approximately 2 to 2.5 hours long.
Interested in buying flowers for your graduates? The Commencement Group will be selling flowers the day of Commencement. You can pre-order now or purchase the day of.
Accommodations
The University of Montana offers access to Commencement through the use of dual stage ramps, stadium elevators, sign language interpreters, real-time voice-to-text translation (captions) streamed and in-person, ADA seating for guests and students, ADA parking, and assistive listening devices (ALDs). Please list your specific accommodation requests not already provided by the University. To ensure timely and effective access to the ceremony, we ask that requests be made by May 1, 2024.
Accommodations for guests and audience members- The Adams Center is not able to reserve seats in advance of the ceremony. Please reach out to Brandon Kress in the Adams Center at brandon.kress@mso.umt.edu or by phone at 406-243-5357. Please visit our Accessibility and Special Accommodations page for more information.
Accommodations for students- If you have additional accommodations other than what is listed above, please include your request when you RSVP through Marching Order.
Photos
GradImages will be taking photos of graduates as they walk across the stage. These photos will be available for purchase directly from GradImages.
Parking
Parking on campus is free on Commencement Day. All parking is first-come-first-serve. Reserved parking spots are open to all Commencement guests. Additional ADA parking spots will be made available, however it is highly recommended to plan to arrive early if you would like to utilize ADA spots. Please do not park in ADA Accessible parking unless authorized to do so. Quick Stop Parking spots are for 20 minutes or less.
Questions
Please email commencement@umontana.edu with any questions.