Congratulations on your achievement! Thank you for your interest in walking in the UWM Spring Commencement ceremony. Each ceremony is for all bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral candidates and is approximately 2 1/2 hours long.
- Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026
- Time: 9 a.m. (Black Ceremony) and 2 p.m. (Gold Ceremony)
- Location: UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, 400 W. Kilbourn Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53203
Black Ceremony – 9 a.m.
For all associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral candidates from the following schools and colleges:
- College of Community Engagement and Professions
- School of Education
- School of Information Studies
- Helen Bader School of Social Welfare
- College of Health Professions & Sciences
- School of Biomedical Sciences & Health Care Administration
- School of Nursing
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences & Technology
- School of Freshwater Sciences
- College of Letters & Science
- Bachelor’s and Associate’s
Please check with the Registrar’s Office or the Graduate School directly if you are unsure whether you are eligible to graduate.
Gold Ceremony – 2 p.m.
For all bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral candidates from the following schools and colleges:
- College of the Arts & Architecture
- School of Architecture & Urban Planning
- Peck School of the Arts
- College of Engineering & Applied Science
- Sheldon B. Lubar College of Business
- Joseph J. Zilber College of Public Health
Please check with the Registrar’s Office or the Graduate School directly if you are unsure whether you are eligible to graduate.
On This Page
Directions for Graduates
Ceremony Details
Accessibility
The accessible entrance is at 500 W. Kilbourn Ave., with ADA seating in Sections 200, 205, 210, 222 and 226 (one companion per guest). Interpreters will be in Section 211, and captioning will appear on two large screens by the stage.
If you as the student need an interpreter or special accommodations for the ceremony, please reach out to Marissa Steinhofer, commencement manager, at steinho2@uwm.edu.
Attire
Associate’s, Bachelor’s and master’s grads wear a cap and gown. Master’s students also wear a hood, while doctoral grads wear a gown, tam and get hooded on stage. Tassel and hood colors are based on your school or field of study.
Commencement Program
If your contact information is restricted and you would like your name included in the Commencement Booklet, please contact the Registrar’s Office, Mellencamp Hall, Room 274, or call 414-229-3800.
Parking, Maps & Directions
The Baird Center Garage offers indoor parking with easy access to nearby venues. Additional street and garage parking is available throughout downtown Milwaukee.
Photographs & Videos
GradImages is the official photographer at commencement. They can be reached at 800-628-4509, kmay@iconicgroup.com. A live video feed will be available the day of the ceremony.
Guest Seating
Arena doors open at 8:30 a.m., and all guests must have a valid, transferred ticket to enter. Seating is general admission, and due to large crowds and nearby graduations, early arrival is strongly encouraged.
Student Seating Map
All graduates will be seated together in designated areas by degree conferred and school or college.
Tickets
Graduates do not need tickets, but all guests over the age of 2 will require a ticket to enter the arena; children 2 and younger do not require a ticket and will be considered a lap child.
Security Details
Traffic, Parking & Security Screening
Please allow extra time for traffic, parking and the security screening process.
Event Disruption
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.