The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee will return to in-person graduation ceremonies in December, after virtual-only commencements in 2020 and May 2021 due to COVID-19 safety considerations.

In addition, UWM will hold a special in-person commencement ceremony on April 10, 2022, for those students who previously had virtual-only ceremonies but who wish to have an in-person graduation experience. That ceremony will be open to students who graduated in May 2020, December 2020 or May 2021.

The regular May 2022 commencement and future ceremonies are expected to be in-person as well.

UWM Chancellor Mark Mone hailed the return of in-person commencement ceremonies.

“I’m delighted that we will hold an in-person ceremony this December,” said UWM Chancellor Mark Mone. “Our students, graduates and families have been through enough these past couple of years. It’s time to come together and celebrate and honor our graduates’ accomplishments.”

Commencement for Fall 2021 graduates will be at 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, 400 W. Kilbourn Ave. This will be a ticketed event to ensure that every graduate can have family and friends with them at the ceremony. If the arena fills to capacity, guests without a ticket can watch the ceremony on a screen at the adjacent Miller High Life Theatre.

The event will also be livestreamed at uwm.edu/streamingvideo/commencements.

Attendees will be required to wear masks.

Further details about the ceremonies, including speakers and honorary degree recipients, will be available in the coming weeks.