Directions for Doctoral Candidates

Commencement

Sunday, December 15, 2024
9:00 a.m. – Doctoral rehearsal
10:00 a.m. – Ceremony start time.

Apply for Graduation

All master candidates MUST APPLY FOR GRADUATION in order to be able to claim tickets for the commencement ceremony.

Must be on the list as applied for graduation before October 31st to be able to claim tickets.

Please APPLY HERE

*Students that miss the deadline will be able to attend the ceremony however, they will be unable to obtain tickets in the first round of ticketing for their guests*

Security Details:

  • Please allow extra time for traffic, parking and the security screening process.
  • Important information: Disruption of university events, including graduation activities, violates state law and university policies. Disruptions will not be tolerated. Participants who engage in disruption risk arrest, and/or criminal charges and student disciplinary action. Graduates are asked to pass through security with their graduation gowns unzipped and open as part of the Wisconsin Center District security screening process.
  • Bag policy at UWM Panther Arena: Graduates and guests attending public ticketed events are permitted to bring a 12-inch-by-6-inch-by-12-inch or smaller clear stadium bag, gallon-sized clear zip bag, a 4-inch-by-6-inch-by-1-inch wristlet, or a diaper bag or medical bag, which will be searched. This will be strictly enforced.
  • Prohibited items at Panther Arena: A list of prohibited items can be found in the A-Z guide of the Panther Arena website. Guests will be asked to return prohibited items to their vehicles. Prohibited items include larger banners or flag signs, poles and tripods, laser pointers, outside food or drink, and professional photo and video recording equipment.

RSVP- DEADLINE 12/1/24

All Doctoral candidates must have a faculty escort at the ceremony and MUST RSVP for the ceremony if they plan to attend in addition to applying for graduation.

Please RSVP HERE

*Students that miss the RSVP deadline will be able to attend the ceremony however, they will be unable to obtain tickets for their guests. *

Regalia

  • Infromation about your regalia (cap and gown) please click HERE
  • Order your regalia after September 1st and before November 15th.
  • For more information regarding regalia rental please click HERE

Dress Rehearsal

Please report to the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena no later than 8:55 a.m. There will be a dress rehearsal for Doctoral candidates and their escorts that starts promptly at 9:00 a.m.

Arrival & Rehearsal

  • Report to the PHD Check-in area located at the north end, lower level of the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, 400 W. Kilbourn Ave. starting at 8:30 a.m. (4th street between State & Kilbourn) and no later than 8:55 am for the rehearsal
  • When you arrive at the PHD check-in area candidates who have RSVP’d will receive a pre-printed name card which will be read during the ceremony; make sure you complete a photo card and pick up a printed program. You will line-up with your escort for the rehearsal.
  • Once the rehearsal, consisting of walking onto and across the stage and back down, is completed, the marshals will immediately direct the PhD candidates and their escorts into their seats.
  • Photographers will be taking pictures of candidates as they approach the ramp to go on stage as well as while they receive their diploma cover on stage. The photographers will be distributing a contact photo card to students at the arena. Please be sure to complete a contact photo card, it will be used to contact you once your proofs are ready to view and purchase.
  • No alcoholic beverages or helium balloons are permitted in the Arena.

Ceremony

Doctoral candidates will be asked to rise for conferring their degree. The candidate and escort approach the stage from left and right sides with the escort on the candidate’s left. The escort will hand the name reader the candidate’s name card which will be read. The candidate and the escort will then move to the center of the stage. The candidate will turn and face the audience. The escort will hood the candidate. Then the Provost presents the diploma. The Chancellor and the Graduate School Dean shakes hands with the degree recipient. The candidate and escort leave the stage using the center ramp, return to their seats and sit down. The name reader reads the name of the second candidate and escort – and so on until all candidates have gone through the ceremony.

For any questions, contact:

Doctoral Student Services, Graduate School: 414-229-6569 or gs-doctoralservices@uwm.edu

Secretary of the University’s Office: 414-229-5988 or secofunv@uwm.edu