Convocation
May 16 | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Date & Time
Saturday, May 16, 2026 (7:30–9:30 p.m.)
Location
Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts, Room 250 and Virtual
Celebrate Our Aspiring Artists!
You are cordially invited to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts graduation convocation for Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winterim 2026 and Spring 2026 baccalaureate and master’s degree recipients.
Participants will assemble at 7 p.m. in the Helene Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts, Room 250, to prepare for the procession into the concert hall. This event is a special addition to the university-wide UW-Milwaukee commencement ceremony.
Program Details
Processional & Opening Remarks
- “Moving Away” | Len “Boogsie” Sharpe (trans./arr. W. Hawkins)
- Steve Wetzel, Associate Dean (opening remarks)
- Winifred Elysse Newman, Dean (keynote speaker)
Department of Art & Design
- Chair’s Message, Nathaniel Stern
- Slideshow, developed by Associate Professor Adam Hawk
- Recognition of Graduates
Department of Dance
- Chair’s Message, Daniel Burkholder
- Dance performance of “Uncommon Unity”
- Choreographer:Janiya “Jay” Carter
- Dancers: Delilah Cardiff, Amarion D. Herbert, Paloma Kong-Ndoumbe, Meredith Star, Maddie Witt
- Music: “Moog Part”, Dye O: “In Him We Move”
- Recognition of Graduates
Department of Film, Video, Animation & New Genres
- Chair’s Message, Jesse McLean
- Selected clips from Senior Thesis Films
- Recognition of Graduates
Department of Music
- Chair’s Message, Gillian Rodger
- Music performance of “Have a Good Time” (Marcus Klein) and “Hell or High Water” (William Elliott Whitmore)
- Performers: Marcus Daniel Klein & Braden Andersen
- Recognition of Graduates
Department of Theatre
- Chair’s Message, Bill Watson
- Musical Theatre Performance “Light” from Next to Normal
- Video presentation of graduates and past theatre season
- Recognition of Graduates
Closing Remarks & Recessional
- Winifred Elysse Newman, Dean (closing remarks)
- “I’ll Be Ok” | Rupee (arr. V. Provost)
Reception
Dessert reception follows in Zelazo 250 (across the lobby)
Frequently Asked Questions
This special ceremony is an opportunity for Faculty & Staff in the Peck School of the Arts to recognize students who are graduating with bachelor and master’s degrees. The event was established in response to student requests and precedes the large UWM Commencement. We encourage you to attend both ceremonies.
The convocation ceremony begins with a procession of graduating students into the Bader Concert Hall. Students are seated on stage with the Dean and Department Chairs. There will be an address with opening remarks and all graduates being recognized. Students will be called up by department, with each department introduced by a selection of work representing their discipline. When your department is standing, you will be called by name to walk across the stage and receive your stole (a piece of academic regalia, much like a long scarf, that you can wear with your cap and gown to the campus-wide Commencement ceremony). After the closing remarks and recessional, everyone crosses the lobby to Zelazo 280 for a dessert reception.
PSOA Convocation is an in-person event, which will also be live-streamed for those who cannot attend in person.
All Peck School of the Arts students who have graduated or will be graduating by any of the dates listed above along with friends and family of graduating students are welcome to attend.
The event is free. Tickets are not required, but we do appreciate that you RSVP so we can best plan for your enjoyment.
Definitely! You will receive an email invitation to the Peck School of the Arts Graduation Convocation in early April. Feel free to pass it along to friends to attend in-person or online.
You may bring as many guests as you like. Please RSVP with the total number of in-person attendees so we can plan accordingly.
There is no dress code for this event. You are welcome to wear your cap and gown but most students simply wear business attire.