Photos
Students have their photo taken three times during the commencement ceremony. First before they cross the stage, then as they receive their diploma cover from their Dean or Associate Dean, and finally at the back of the arena in front of a University of Minnesota Regents Seal banner as they hold their diploma cover. Students may find their pictures to purchase on the GradImages website approximately 2 weeks after the ceremony. To find your photos, for the school name type in: University of Minnesota - Duluth All students who participated in the spring 2024 ceremony will be listed on the GradImages website as spring 2024 graduates no matter what term they completed or plan to complete their degree requirements.
Diplomas
Assuming all graduation requirements have been met, diplomas are mailed to students within three months following the end of the semester in which a student applied to graduate. Holds may prevent you from ordering a transcript or receiving your diploma. Check MyU for any holds on your record. All diplomas are the same size.
Information on diplomas should be directed to One Stop Student Services, 218-726-8000, [email protected]. For questions regarding degree requirements contact your college Advising & Academic Services office.
Commencement
The Commencement ceremonies are not held on campus, they are in AMSOIL Arena which is at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) located in downtown Duluth.
Please note the DECC bag policy. The following bags may be carried into the venue:
• Small bags not exceeding 4.5” x 6.5” such as a clutch purse, wristlet, or wallet
• Medically necessary bags, including breast pumps
• Diaper bags for individuals/families with a child/children under age 3
Doors open an hour and a half before the ceremony. Students should arrive no later than an hour before the ceremony.
What students can expect on Commencement Day this is a detailed description of the day from the time students enter the DECC complex until the ceremony is over.
Commencement day information for students
Commencement day information for guests
Frequently Asked Questions
1 - How do I check or change the name listed on my diploma: follow this path: OneStop - Personal Information - Student Record - Update Personal Information - Diploma Name
The name listed on your diploma will be the name listed on the commencement program. However, only your first and last name will be read as you cross the stage..
2 - There is no rehearsal for students.
3 - Do I have to buy a cap, gown and tassel? Although not required, almost all students wear a cap and gown. These items can be purchased on-campus at Grad Fair or at the UMD Bookstore before the ceremony. Students are advised to purchase these items before May 4. Students should bring their cap and gown to the DECC; a limited number are available to purchase on commencement day.
4 - Students who have earned Latin Honors, Departmental Honors, University Honors and/or a Red, White and Blue Miliary cord can pick up their medallion/cord on Commencement Day before they line up or if unable to attend either event, email [email protected] and we can make arrangements for you to pick it up or it can be mailed to you.
5 - Students are welcome to decorate their caps.
6 - Each ceremony will be about 2 hours long.
7 - Doors open an hour and a half before the ceremony for both guests and students.
8 - Tickets are not required; the event is free of charge and seating is on a first come basis.
9 - Programs are available at the door; there is no charge. Students will have a program on their chair in AMSOIL.
10 - The DECC bag policy. The following bags may be carried into the venue:
• Small bags not exceeding 4.5” x 6.5” such as a clutch purse, wristlet, or wallet
• Medically necessary bags, including breast pumps
• Diaper bags for individuals/families with a child/children under age 3
All guests will be subject to a search of their person and possessions prior to entering DECC facilities for applicable events. All permissible bags will be subject to inspection by security personnel. Guests should be prepared to open their bags for inspection and may be asked by a security representative to shift and/or remove the contents of their bag. DECC security personnel reserve the right to confiscate items that may cause damage to DECC facilities or danger/disruption to an event. Guests who violate building policies or decline to be searched may be denied entry or ejected from DECC facilities.
11 - After the ceremony students will leave their respective rows and exit through the Zamboni doors at the front of arena. They can then meet their guests in the DECC Arena where students lined up, or upstairs near the DECC Ticket Office.
12 - If you did not RSVP to attend or now sure you did, please come to commencement We will get you a name card and you can participate and cross the stage.
13 - The difference between graduation and commencement.
Graduation is the process of submitting an online graduation application, completing all academic requirements for your degree, and settling all financial obligations. The administrative process of degree conferral will indicate your official date of graduation. Conferral date is defined as the date on which your degree is officially awarded.
Commencement refers to the ceremony that honors graduating students. Commencement refers to the start of something, and in an academic context, this ceremony signifies that you're starting your career and the next phase of your life. It is also a time for UMD to pay special tribute to you for the outstanding efforts you have shown in earning your degree. Participation in the commencement ceremony does not imply that you have officially graduated.
Anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be asked to leave the premises.
Multiple Majors
The names of all graduating students appear in the Commencement program, regardless of the student's attendance at Commencement (unless removal is requested). Students' names are listed in the Commencement program grouped first by their college (CAHSS, CEHSP, LSBE, SCSE), and then by their degree type (for example, Bachelor of Science students are listed together alphabetically, Bachelor of Arts students are listed together alphabetically, etc.).
On Commencement day, students will pick up a name card at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC), in Paulucci Hall. The card will have the student's name, a color, and number, which designates how students will line-up to enter the arena. As much as possible, the lineup will match the order that names are printed in the program. Students will present the name card to the reader as they approach the stage. As their name is read, students cross the stage. Major(s) and degree(s) are not read aloud for each student.
CAHSS (College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences) and SCSE (Swenson College of Science and Engineering) students are recognized at the MORNING ceremony.
CEHSP (College of Education and Human Service Professions) and LSBE (Labovitz School of Business & Economics) students are recognized at the AFTERNOON ceremony.
IF ANY OF THE 3 SCENARIOS BELOW APPLY TO YOU, please fill out this form to let us know with which degree group or which college you wish to participate:
- If you have more than one major within a single college and are earning more than one degree (for example, Bachelor of Accounting and Bachelor of Business Administration from LSBE, or Bachelor of Applied Science and Bachelor of Social Work from CEHSP), your name will be listed in the program under your college and under each degree; however, we need to know with which degree group you wish to walk and sit.
- If you have more than one major in two colleges that have their ceremony at the same time (such as Geographic Information Science in CAHSS and Computer Science in SCSE), your name will be listed in the program under each college; however, we need to know with which college you wish to walk and sit.
- If you have more than one major in separate colleges that have their ceremonies at different times (such as Teaching German in CEHSP and German Studies in CAHSS), your name will be listed in the program under each college; however, we need to know whether you wish to attend both ceremonies or just one.
If you have one major or have more than one major with the same degree type and in the same college (for example, Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry, both from SCSE), you do not need to contact us or to complete this form. Your name will be listed in the program once, under your college and your degree type.
Please note - if you are a double major, with the same degree, on the RSVP form only your first major will be listed. The program will list both your majors.
Graduation checklist for undergraduate students
Click Graduation checklist above for the links to apply to graduate and RSVP to attend the 2024 ceremony.
If you are a fall 2024 graduate and plan to attend the 2025 ceremony, on the RSVP form please choose NO; then go into the form again this coming fall and choose YES for the 2025 ceremony.
Graduation checklist for graduate students
Click Graduation checklist above for the links to apply to graduate and RSVP to attend the 2024 ceremony.
Inviting International Family to Visit