Commencement Information

Commencement is a time for the University of Dubuque family to come together to recognize and celebrate the academic accomplishments of our Spartans.

Winter 2024 Commencement Events

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2024

Cedar Rapids Grad Fest
4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. - Lobby, LIFE - Cedar Rapids Site


TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2024

Dubuque Grad Fest
10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. - Peter and Susan Smith Welcome Center and Steffens Hall, Charles and Romona Myers Center


FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2024

Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Commencement Ceremony
10:00 a.m. - John and Alice Butler Hall, Heritage Center
Livestream: UD YouTube

  • No food, drinks, strollers, or car seats are allowed in Butler Hall.


WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2024

Teacher Education Pinning Ceremony
4:30 p.m. - Babka Theatre, Heritage Center
Livestream: UD YouTube


THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

University of Dubuque Winter Commencement
Livestream: UD Facebook and UD YouTube

2:00 p.m. - Doors Open for Graduates to Check-In at the Palmer-Noone Lounge, Heritage Center

  • Only graduates are permitted in the area where graduates assemble.
  • Graduates should arrive in full Commencement apparel with cap, gown, and tassel. Graduate students should also bring their academic hood.
  • There is not a secure area to store personal items before, during, or after the check-in process. It is not recommended to leave personal items behind.

2:00 p.m. - Doors open to John and Alice Butler Hall, Heritage Center

  • Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. It is not ticketed.
  • Guests are not allowed in the student seating area at any time.
  • Only graduates are permitted to cross/be on stage to accept diploma covers.
  • No food, drinks, strollers, or car seats are allowed in Butler Hall.

3:00 p.m. - Commencement Begins in John and Alice Butler Hall, Heritage Center

 

Spring 2025 Commencement Events

TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2025

Dubuque Grad Fest
10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Peter and Susan Smith Welcome Center and Steffens Hall, Charles and Romona Myers Center


FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 2025

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Pinning Ceremony
11:00 a.m. - John and Alice Butler Hall, Heritage Center
Livestream: UD YouTube

University of Dubuque Theological Seminary Baccalaureate Service
1:30 p.m. - Blades Chapel, Blades Hall

ROTC Commissioning Ceremony
2:00 p.m. - John and Alice Butler Hall, Heritage Center
Livestream: UD YouTube


SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2025

University of Dubuque Theological Seminary Commencement
9:30 a.m. - John and Alice Butler Hall, Heritage Center

University of Dubuque Spring Commencement
1:00 p.m. - Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center
Livestream: UD Facebook and UD YouTube

 

Additional Commencement Information

Undergraduate and Graduate Student Commencement Apparel and Pick Up
Please check UD email for information on how to order commencement apparel for Winter Commencement. All orders submitted no later than Friday, October 25, 2024, will be ready for pick up at Grad Fest on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, (see information below) or between Wednesday, December 4, 2024, and Wednesday, December 11, 2024, in the lower level of the Babka Bookstore, Peters Commons. Please check bookstore hours below. LIFE - Cedar Rapids graduates will pick up at the Cedar Rapids site. A "direct ship to home" option is available for an extra fee and must be ordered by Friday, November 15, 2024. The cap, gown, and tassel are yours to keep. The graduation apparel price is included in the graduation fee you pay when your graduation application is completed. PA program graduates should contact Natalie Weber, PA-C, program director and assistant professor for the physician assistant program, at NWeber@dbq.edu.

Grad Fest
Winter 2024 graduates are invited to attend Dubuque Grad Fest from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 3, 2024, in the lobby of the Peter and Susan Smith Welcome Center and Steffens Hall inside the Charles and Romona Myers Center for free food, to win prizes and gifts, and to pick up regalia. The UD community may join the celebration for walking tacos from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or snacks from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. All attendees must check in at the Office of Alumni Engagement Table in the lobby of the Peter and Susan Smith Welcome Center to receive a meal pass.

LIFE - Cedar Rapids graduates are invited to Cedar Rapids Grad Fest from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 19, 2024, in the lobby of the LIFE - Cedar Rapids site. Graduates can stop by to pick up their graduation swag bag, enjoy sweet treats, and get their picture taken at the photo station. Graduates can also pick up their regalia.

Grad Fest is hosted by the Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement.

Babka Bookstore Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Graduation Jewelry
For graduation jewelry, please click here.

Diplomas
At Winter Commencement, graduates will receive a diploma cover from President Travis L. Frampton, PhD. Those who do not participate in commencement but would like a diploma cover should contact the Office of the Registrar at Registrar@dbq.edu after commencement.

Students who have not met their academic requirements for graduation will receive an email from the Office of the Registrar. Those with an outstanding college account balance will have their diploma held until their account is cleared by the Office of Student Accounts.

The University of Dubuque has partnered with Parchment to print diplomas (11 inches wide by 8.5 inches high) as well as offer graduates an official digital version of their diploma with Parchment's simple, easy-to-use web application. Parchment will contact graduates via email and/or text with further information.

Graduates who have met all degree requirements will receive their digital diplomas via their UD email address within four to six weeks after commencement. Paper diplomas will be mailed 10 to 15 days after the digital diplomas. Paper diplomas will be mailed to the address graduates provided on their graduation application.

How to Get Your Digital Diploma

Graduates, follow these simple steps to get your digital diploma:

  • Check your UD email and text messages for the award notification.
  • Follow the link to set up your Parchment digital credentials account.
  • Share your digital diploma on Facebook and LinkedIn or download as a secure .pdf version.

Your digital diploma will always be accessible through your Parchment account. You can login and download or share it again and again - at no cost to you.

Parking
Parking is available on campus in the following locations and on adjacent streets:

  • Finley Lot at Finley and West streets
  • University Park Drive Lot at Bennett Street and University Park Drive
  • Pearl Street Lot adjacent to the corner of Pearl and McCormick streets
  • Lot across from Hardee's at the corner of McCormick Street and University Avenue

Graduates and guests are reminded not to park in roped off or posted No Parking Areas.

To view a campus map, please click here.

Accessibility Information
Graduates and guests requiring accommodations such as special seating or an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter should contact the Office of the Registrar at Registrar@dbq.edu. The deadline to request an ASL interpreter is Friday, November 12, 2024.

Handicap parking is limited, so please plan accordingly. Parking spots cannot be reserved.

Photographs
Empire Photography will photograph each graduate as they receive their diploma cover. Empire Photography will also photograph each graduate prior to the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Commencement Ceremony and as they receive their diploma cover. To view and purchase photos, visit https://empirephotos.com/.

An additional professional photographer will take photos before, during, and after Winter Commencement. To view photos, visit https://udalumni.smugmug.com/.

Dubuque Accommodations and Attractions
For those traveling to Dubuque and staying overnight, we recommend you make your reservations early. Please visit Travel Dubuque's website here to learn about local accommodations and attractions.

* Details subject to change

Questions

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions:

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing Pinning Ceremony: Jackie Meyer, PhD, head of the Department of Nursing and professor of nursing, at JRMeyer@dbq.edu or 563.589.3403
  • Commencement Apparel: Jennifer Wickman, merchandise manager, at JWickman@dbq.edu or 563.589.3131
  • Grad Fest: Katie Kraus, director for alumni engagement, at KKraus@dbq.edu or 563.589.3161
  • Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Commencement Ceremony: Kristie Arthofer, physician assistant program admission director and program coordinator, at KArthofer@dbq.edu or 563.589.3662
  • ROTC Commissioning Ceremony: Army ROTC - Eagle Company at UDROTC@dbq.edu or 563.589.3850
  • University of Dubuque Commencement: Office of the Registrar at Registrar@dbq.edu or 563.589.3748
  • University of Dubuque Theological Seminary Commencement/Baccalaureate: Jill Dodds, administrative assistant to the dean of the seminary, at JDodds@dbq.edu or 563.589.3122

PREVIOUS COMMENCEMENT PROGRAMS

~~~ 2024 Spring Commencement Program ~~~

~~~ 2024 Seminary Commencement Program ~~~

~~~ 2023 Winter Commencement Program ~~~