UMR graduates in cap and gown holding diploma.
2025

Commencement

Commencement Ceremony

2025 Commencement will take place on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 11 a.m. in the Mayo Civic Center Auditorium. Tune in live on UMR's YouTube channel.

 

Cap & Gown Information

Students will receive a 20% discount on cap, gown and/or hood and optional graduation items during Grad Fest (date TBD). This is an online event through the MGear website. Grad Fest is a great way to save time and money while preparing for commencement.

Rehearsal Schedule: Friday, May 16, 2025 in Mayo Civic Center Auditorium

Graduates should plan to attend one of the sessions:

    • Graduate and Student Marshal Rehearsal 12 to 1 p.m.
    • Faculty and Student Speaker Rehearsal 1 to 2 p.m.
    • Graduate and Student Marshal Rehearsal 2 to 3 p.m.

Commencement Schedule: Saturday, May 17, 2025

10 a.m. Arrival to Green Room (Suite 102)

10:30 a.m. Class Picture

10:45 a.m. Lineup

11 a.m. Ceremony begins

Ceremony

UMR commencement is held yearly at the end of spring semester. Attendance at the commencement ceremony is optional. Commencement will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 17 in the Mayo Civic Center Auditorium. Students who have graduated in fall 2024 or expect to complete their degrees in the spring 2025 or summer 2025 session are invited to participate. Students who have graduated but not previously participated in a ceremony are also invited to participate.

Dress Code
Commencement is a formal ceremony that recognizes the academic achievements of our graduates. The traditional academic cap and gown are worn by graduates and faculty. The cap is to be worn with the top parallel to the floor. The tassel is worn over the right temple until the degrees are conferred.

All students participating in commencement are expected to dress in a manner that is in keeping with the occasion:

      • Comfortable, business-casual clothing is acceptable for students walking at commencement
      • Men: slacks with a collared dress shirt with tie is suggested
      • Women: slacks with a blouse or a dress is suggested

Candidates will march and stand a good part of the time; thus, low-heeled, comfortable dress shoes are recommended. Sneakers, beach sandals and flip-flops are discouraged.

Graduating students can wear cords and stoles that are organized and distributed by University of Minnesota offices or departments. On the day of Commencement, military cords (for students with military status) and honor cords (for students graduating with distinction or high distinction) will be distributed. Students can choose to purchase and wear flag stoles that symbolize their country of citizenship, nationality or visitation through participation in a University-approved learning abroad program.

Undergraduate Degree with Distinction

To qualify for a degree with distinction, a student must have completed 60 or more semester credits at the University Minnesota. The student's University cumulative grade point average is the sole determinant of the granting of degrees "with distinction" or "high distinction."

To graduate "with distinction," a student must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.750 or higher at the time of graduation. To graduate "with high distinction," a student must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.900 or higher. There is no rounding to determine these calculations.

Rochester Spring Commencement will honor students who have earned distinction with honor chords. The calculations for recognizing students at Spring Commencement who graduate "with distinction" or "high distinction" are based on their cumulative grade point average at the end of the previous term.

Refer to the Grading & Transcript Policy.

Disability Resources
If you, or someone in your party has mobility or hearing difficulties, please contact Jeff Baier, Senior Disability Resources Coordinator, [email protected] or 507-258-8058. 

Graduate Guests
UMR encourages graduates to invite family members, friends and colleagues to the commencement ceremony. Graduates are not limited to a set number of guests and no tickets are required for entry. 

Please note the Mayo Civic Center strictly prohibits balloons in any area of the Civic Center. Please leave balloon bouquets in cars until after the ceremony. 

Do your family and friends have questions? See the Family & Friends section for additional information.

Commencement Photography
Arrangements have been made with Legacies by Laura Commencement Photography  to photograph each graduate during the Commencement ceremony. Graduates who give consent to be contacted by the photographer will have the opportunity to purchase their pictures when they are available. All inquiries should be directed to l[email protected]

2025 UMR Commencement Ceremony

Saturday, May 17 at 11 a.m. at the Mayo Civic Center Auditorium.

Number of Guests

UMR encourages graduates to invite family members, friends and colleagues to the commencement ceremony. Graduates are not limited to a set number of guests and no tickets are required for entry. 

Please note the Mayo Civic Center strictly prohibits balloons in any area of the Civic Center. Please leave balloon bouquets in cars until after the ceremony. 

Commencement Photography

Arrangements have been made with Legacies by Laura Commencement Photography  to photograph each graduate during the Commencement ceremony. Graduates who give consent to be contacted by the photographer will have the opportunity to purchase their pictures when they are available. All inquiries should be directed to [email protected] 

Disability Resources
If you, or someone in your party has mobility or hearing difficulties, please contact Jeff Baier, Senior Disability Resources Coordinator, [email protected] or 507-258-8058.                                                                                                                       

Commencement Rehearsal Schedule: Friday, May 16, 2025

1 p.m. - Student and Faculty speakers rehearsal

Commencement Schedule: Saturday, May 17, 2025

10:15 a.m. Arrival to Green Room (Suite 101)

10:45 a.m. Line up

11:00 a.m. Ceremony begins

Commencement Contact
Anne Kowal
Events Manager
[email protected]

TBD

Commencement Contact
Anne Kowal
Events Manager
[email protected] or [email protected]

Disability Resources Contact
Jeff Baier
Senior Disability Resources Coordinator
[email protected]