Commencement Ceremonies
Unable to attend? Watch the recorded live stream from the day of the event.
Ceremony #1: Friday, May 10 - 7:00 p.m.
Ceremony #2: Saturday, May 11 - 10:00 a.m.
Ceremony #3: Saturday, May 11 - 3:00 p.m.
Photo Opportunities and Graduate Activities
There were a number of photo ops on campus during the days of commencement, May 10 and 11. Locations included the Student Union, Colonnade, Lincoln Statue, and University entrance. There were also a number of graduate activities held during the week of commencement (e.g., cap decorating in the Student Union from May 6-10). We encouraged graduates to take photos and participate in activities to help celebrate their achievement!
Question/Answer Sessions
We held three question/answer sessions via Zoom for graduates. Graduating students were welcome to attend any of these sessions, though each were focused on the population of students noted below. Graduates were encouraged to click on the applicable link below to join the session at the date/time shown.
- All Students Session - Monday, April 29 at 11:00 a.m.
- First Generation Students Session - Friday, April 26 at 2:00 p.m.
- International Students Session - Friday, April 26 at 1:00 p.m.
Commencement Week Schedule of Events
*Denotes by invitation only or RSVP; questions should be addressed to the applicable "contact" below. Check this site frequently for updates.
| Event | Location | Time | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPSI Graduate Celebration* Wednesday, May 1, 2024 | Student Union North Patio (Rain Location: Student Union Sports Grill) | 3:00- 5:00 p.m. | (217) 206-7990 or jcook36@uis.edu |
| Reception in Honor of Burks Oakley II (Honorary Degree Recipient)* Thursday, May 2, 2024 | 3rd Floor Public Affairs Center Atrium Lounge | 5:00- 6:30 p.m. | (217) 206-7794 or jsest1@uis.edu |
| Student Affairs Leadership Awards Friday, May 3, 2024 | Student Union Ballroom | 3:00- 4:30 p.m. | (217) 206-4762 or studentlife@uis.edu |
| Equity Over Injustice Specialty Graduation Celebration* (UIS Students Only) Saturday, May 4, 2024 | Student Union Ballroom | 1:00- 4:00 p.m. | (217) 206-6333 or diversity@uis.edu |
| CAP Honors Graduation Celebration Lunch* Thursday, May 9, 2024 | Student Union Ballroom | 11:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. | (217) 206-7251 or kguth01s@uis.edu |
| College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Awards Ceremony Thursday, May 9, 2024 | Brookens Auditorium | 4:00- 6:00 p.m. | (217) 206-6512 or chunt26@uis.edu |
| Graduates Cookout with Dr. J. (UIS Students Only) Thursday, May 9, 2024 | Student Union North Patio | 5:00- 7:00 p.m. | (217) 206-6002 or acome2@uis.edu |
| Doctor of Public Administration Hooding Ceremony* Thursday, May 9, 2024 | Student Union Ballroom | 6:00- 7:30 p.m. | (217) 971-8632 or bgoul2@uis.edu |
| College of Health, Science and Technology Graduation Reception Friday, May 10, 2024 | Student Union North Patio | 1:00- 3:00 p.m. | (217) 206-6784 or chst@uis.edu |
| International Congratulatory Ceremony Friday, May 10, 2024 | Student Union Ballroom | 2:00- 4:00 p.m. | (217) 206-6678 or esuzu2@uis.edu |
| COLRS Recognition of Online Graduates* Friday, May 10, 2024 | Brookens Library Outside Overhang Facing Colonnade | 4:30- 6:00 p.m. | (217) 206-7317 or colrs@uis.edu |
| UIS Campus Tour Friday, May 10, 2024 | Public Affairs Center - Second Floor Lobby | 5:00- 6:00 p.m. | (217) 503-8840 or sadam26@uis.edu |
| Commencement Reception (Sponsored by Student Affairs) Friday, May 10, 2024 | Student Union North Patio | 5:00- 6:30 p.m. | (217) 206-6002 or acome2@uis.edu |
| Commencement Ceremony #1 College of Health, Science and Technology: Friday, May 10, 2024 | Sangamon Auditorium in the UIS Performing Arts Center | 7:00 p.m. | (217) 206-7730 or commencement@uis.edu |
| School of Education Commitment to the Profession Ceremony* Friday, May 10, 2024 | Student Union Ballroom | 7:00- 8:30 p.m. | (217) 206-6682 or education@uis.edu |
| Commencement Ceremony #2 College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences AND College of Public Affairs and Education Saturday, May 11, 2024 | Sangamon Auditorium in the UIS Performing Arts Center | 10:00 a.m. | (217) 206-7730 or commencement@uis.edu |
| UIS Campus Tour Saturday, May 11, 2024 | Public Affairs Center - Second Floor Lobby | 11:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. | (217) 503-8840 or sadam26@uis.edu |
| Commencement Reception (Sponsored by Student Affairs) Saturday, May 11, 2024 | Student Union North Patio | 11:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. | (217) 206-6002 or acome2@uis.edu |
| COLRS Recognition of Online Graduates* Saturday, May 11, 2024 | Brookens Library Outside Overhang Facing Colonnade | 11:30 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. | (217) 206-7317 or colrs@uis.edu |
| Commencement Ceremony #3 College of Business and Management Saturday, May 11, 2024 | Sangamon Auditorium in the UIS Performing Arts Center | 3:00 p.m. | (217) 206-7730 or commencement@uis.edu |
| College of Business and Management Graduation Reception - Accounting, Economics and Finance Saturday, May 11, 2024 | Student Union Ballroom | 5:00- 5:20 p.m. | (217) 206-6533 or cbm@uis.edu |
| College of Business and Management Graduation Reception - Management, Marketing and Operations Saturday, May 11, 2024 | Student Union Ballroom | 5:25- 5:45 p.m. | (217) 206-6533 or cbm@uis.edu |
| College of Business and Management Graduation Reception - Management Information Systems Saturday, May 11, 2024 | Student Union Ballroom | 5:50- 6:15 p.m. | (217) 206-6533 or cbm@uis.edu |
| Nigerian Student Association Gala Sunday, May 12, 2024 | Public Affairs Center 160, Community Room (Formerly C/D) | 4:00- 11:00 p.m. | (217) 206-7960 or cmars4@uis.edu |
Past Commencement News
Student Commencement Speaker
Our student commencement speaker is an important tradition at UIS. Information regarding when and where the auditions will be held is provided in the online application. All graduating students are eligible to audition. Representatives of the faculty will select the speaker. If you wish to apply, please fill out the online Student Speaker Application form and read the special instructions listed. Application forms must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 22, 2024 (note: late submissions will not be accepted). The chosen speaker's speech will be pre-recorded and broadcast to graduates and attendees during all three commencement ceremonies.
Graduation Application Deadline Dates
Students graduating in Spring 2024 or Summer 2024 must submit an online Graduation Application via Student Self-Service by the deadlines listed below:
• Spring 2024 Graduates - February 16, 2024
• Summer 2024 Graduates who DO wish to participate in Commencement 2024 Activities - February 16, 2024*
• Summer 2024 Graduates who DO NOT wish to participate in Commencement 2024 Activities - July 1, 2024
*Summer 2024 graduates wishing to participate in Commencement 2024 activities must submit a Student Petition and have it approved by their adviser and department chair by February 16, 2024.