Commencement Ceremony Details

University of North Dakota Commencement ceremonies are free and open to the public.

Date and Location

Saturday, May 10, 2025
10:00 a.m.
Chester Fritz Performing Arts Center
3475 University Avenue, Grand Forks, ND.

Doors to the auditorium will open at 9:00 a.m.
There are no limits to the number of guests graduates can invite to the ceremony.
Tickets are not required.
Parking will be available in the Chester Fritz Parking lot free of charge.

Arrival and Check-in

Pre-Registration is required for all candidates to participate. Please check your law school email regularly for updates and links.
Candidates should arrive at the Chester Fritz Performing Arts Center by 9:15 a.m. and report to the Rehearsal Room (lower level). Signage will be posted and student marshals will be available for assistance.
Please arrive with all pieces of your academic regalia - gown, tam (cap), and tassel.
Please visit the check-in table in the Rehearsal Room and pick up your name card and a copy of the printed program.
Please verify the pronunciation of your name with the proctor after receiving your name card.
Keep your name card with you until you cross the stage. You will hand it to the announcer to read your name as you cross the stage,

Assemblage and Processional

With the assistance of UND staff and student marshals, candidates will line up in single file and in alphabetical order as is listed in the printed program.
Be sure to have your name card with you at all times.
The class will be led by a student marshal into the auditorium and directed to their seats.
The order of the processional will be: (1) candidates; (2) faculty; and (3) platform officials.
There is no security in the assembly room. UND is not responsible for purses, coats, phones, and other personal items left in the assembly area

Order of Commencement Ceremony

Processional
Welcome Remarks from the Dean of the Law School
Greetings from the State Board of Higher Education
Commencement Address
Conferring of Academic Degrees by the University President
Candidates cross the stage*
Remarks from the President of UND
Closing Remarks from the Dean of the Law School
Recessional

*Crossing the Stage

After the conferring of degrees, the candidates will be seated.
Led by a marshal, the first row of candidates will stand and move to the stage in single file - be sure you have your name card with you at this time. The other rows will remain seated until a marshal prompts them to stand.
Candidates will ascend the stage steps and hand the name card to the marshal seated at the table.
Stop by the table until the stage director prompts you to make your way across the stage to receive your academic hood from the faculty.
Walk toward the professors.
Stop and face the audience with your back to the professors.
The Professors will place the hood over your head and make sure it is placed correctly.
Next, proceed across the stage to shake hands with the Dean and receive your diploma from the President.
Continue across the stage and down the steps.
A marshal will lead you through a side door to have a professional photo taken.
After your photo, please return to your original seat in the auditorium.
Law students receiving a dual degree will first receive the law hood by the faculty members, then will proceed across the stage and the masters hood will be draped on their arm by a representative of the School of Graduate Studies.

Recessional

At the completion of the ceremony, the marshals will lead the graduates out of the auditorium and down to the lobby for a class photo.
Please keep the recessional moving and do not stop to greet family or friends on your way out of the auditorium.

Length of Ceremony

The length of each ceremony differs by the number of degrees granted and the length of the Commencement speaker's remarks. The ceremony is approximately 60 minutes.

Photography

UND has contracted photo services from The Grad Team for all their commencement ceremonies. This service will provide a photograph of each graduate who crosses the stage and shakes hands with the President along with a posed photograph.

Graduates will see their proofs via email a few days after the ceremony. View and order portraits at:

TheGradTeam.com/UND
1.800.482.0321
Help@TheGradTeam.com