Everything you need to know about the Engineering School Commencement Ceremonies and Events

Save the Date

Order of the Engineer

Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Zupnik Forum in Clark Hall

SPRING 2024 Engineering Commencement Ceremonies

The Spring 2024 Engineering Commencement Ceremonies will take place on Monday, May 20, 2024.

Undergraduate Ceremony - 8:00 AM at Xfinity Center - Students report to Xfinity Center's Small Gym/Pavilion at 7:00 AM for lineup.

Graduate Ceremony - 11:30 AM at Xfinity Center - Students Report to Xfinity Center's Small Gym/Pavilion at 10:30 AM for lineup.

*Tickets are not required for the Engineering Commencement Ceremonies

Campuswide Commencement Ceremony

Monday, May 20, 2024

Time: 6:00PM Processional 
Location: SECU Stadium.
Gates will open at 5:00PM

*Tickets are required for the Campuswide Commencement Ceremony

Spring 2024 Campuswide Commencement

RSVP

Graduates, the last day to submit your RSVP to attend the Spring 2024 Engineering Commencement Ceremony and Events is April 8, 2024.

RSVP for Students RSVP for Faculty RSVP for Staff

Engineering Commencement Reception

May 20, 2024
Time: 9:30 AM-11:30 AM
Look for the tent outside of the Xfinity Center

INFORMATION FOR GRADUATES AND GUESTS FOR SPRING COMMENCEMENTS

This page will provide important information to graduates and guests about the Engineering School Commencement Ceremonies and Events for spring commencements.

The Xfinity Center is designed with parking, restrooms, water fountains, ATMs, and seating areas accessible to guests with disabilities. Power-assisted doors and closed captioning are also provided.

Closed-Captioning & Live Stream

Closed-Captioning
The Engineering School's Commencement Ceremonies are closed-captioned.

Live Stream
Family and friends can watch our commencement live stream.

Directions & Entrances

View Directions for:

Entrances for guests with disabilities are available at four locations:

  • Gate C: Southeast corner of the arena on the Ground Level
  • Gate D: Northeast corner of the arena on the Ground Level
  • Gate E: Southwest corner of the arena on the Concourse Level
  • Gate F: Northwest corner of the arena on the Concourse Level (Student Entrance)

Elevators

Elevators are located on the east side of the XFINITY Center that provide access to the Ground, Plaza (2nd Level), and Concourse (3rd Level) Levels. An additional elevator near Gate F provides access between the Plaza and Concourse Levels.

Parking and Shuttles

Parking in all surface and pay lots is free and available first come, first serve on commencement days.

Parking for guests with disabilities is available at the Xfinity Center in Lot 4, 6 (Terrapin Trail Garage), 9, and 11 surrounding the Xfinity Center. No special permit is required for the Clark School ceremony.

The University of Maryland does not have wheelchairs available. If you have difficulty walking long distances, consider renting a wheelchair from an off-campus vendor. If you require accessible transportation for a disabled guest the day of commencement, please call the dispatch services at 301-314-0318 and make arrangements. 

    Restrooms
    Each of the 37 restrooms located conveniently throughout Xfinity Center are ADA compliant and accessible to our guests with disabilities. Xfinity Center has four private bathrooms designed for use by persons with disabilities:

    • Top of Sections 105 and 110 on the Plaza Level (Level 2).
    • Behind Sections 122 and 217 on the Concourse Level (Level 3).

    ADA Seating

    • Top of 120 and 121 - 3rd level concourse
      • Guests should park in Terrapin Trail Garage and enter Gate E. This is a fully accessible pathway.
      • Flat surface should be reserved for wheelchairs only.
      • Those with limited mobility should sit in fixed seating around 120.
    • Elevators at section 217  (near gate A) can be used to go down to level 2 if needed.
    • Limited wheelchair seating is available next to suites in Xfinity center, this is not published because it is very few.
    • Section 105 and 110 are wheelchair accessible but behind stage. Guests are welcome to sit here if they choose.

    If coming from the Terrapin Trail Garage, Accessible Seating section is on your left. Ushers can direct you to these sections once inside the building. Due to limited space, the university recommends that only the person with the disability and one other guest sit in the accessible seating. Additional members of your party should sit in regular seating areas. You do not need to reserve seating for special needs guests.

     
    Sign Language Interpretation

    If you have guests attending the Engineering School Commencement Ceremony who will need sign language interpretation be sure to contact the Disability Support Service at 301-314-7209 or dhhs@umd.edu to make arrangements. The ceremony will be closed captioned. If you will be utilizing this service, please email engr-commencement@umd.edu providing your information.

    Doctoral Students
    Be sure to make prior arrangements with your advisor to be hooded during the Engineering School Commencement Ceremony. If your advisor is not available, you can ask another member of your committee or a favorite faculty member to hood you, or your Department Chair can hood you. Inquiries regarding commencement ceremony participation should be directed to your department.

    All Students Graduating

    Be sure to arrive one hour before the ceremony to lineup for the processional. Upon entering the Pavilion (room 0601/Auxiliary Gym) at the XFINITY Center look for Check-In/Registration tables.

    Each graduate should:

    • Obtain announcement card from the Check-In/Registration tables in the Pavilion Room 
    • Complete the survey on the back of the card.
    •  Find the sign with your degree/major and lineup.
    • Hold the card and give to the person reading your name on stage.

    Doctoral Students
    Can pick up their diplomas from the Diploma Services after the commencement ceremony. The Diploma Services is located on the first floor of the Mitchell Building.  if they have completed all requirements and submitted Graduation Application. The Diploma Services will not be open the day of commencement but will open for regular office hours the following business day.

    Master of Science and Master of Engineering
    Diplomas will be mailed to those who have completed all graduation requirements approximately six weeks after graduation.

    Undergraduate students
    Diplomas will be mailed to those who have completed all graduation requirements approximately six weeks after graduation.

    Undergraduate Students

    For information on the eligibility to participate in the Spring Commencement Ceremony, read the PDF iconUniversity's policy.

    Summer/Fall 2023 & Spring 2024

    Undergraduate students that completed all degree requirements during the summer 2023, fall 2023, and students that will be completing all degree requirements during the spring 2024 semesters are eligible to participate in the Clark School graduation ceremony.

    Summer 2024

    Undergraduate students that are within the last 7 credits or less to be completed during the summer 2024 term, can submit a Request to Walk in Engr. Commencement Ceremony. Be sure to be registered for the summer term before submitting the form that will be available mid-April.

    Ph.D. Candidates & Master's Students

    Information regarding graduation procedures is available on the Graduate School page. Inquiries regarding commencement ceremony participation should be directed to your departmental graduate advisor.

    Future Dates

    There is a range of dates posted on the University Commencement website or the  University of Maryland Academic Calendar. We are acutely aware that families and friends are anxious and excited to make their reservations based on the individual ceremony schedules. Unfortunately, the University has not approved a schedule for publication because those schedules could change prior to release.

    We do not know when the dates will be released but as soon as they are, they will be posted on the University Commencement website and then on the Engineering School's Commencement website.

    We appreciate your patience in this process!

    Length of Ceremonies

    • The Engineering School Commencement Ceremonies lasts approximately 2.0 to 2.5 hours. During the ceremony, we ask that all graduates and guests remain seated for the entire ceremony to provide full recognition to all graduates.
      • Engineering School Commencement Ceremonies will be available via livestream
      • Email us for additional questions related to the Engineering School Commencement Ceremonies at engr-commencement@umd.edu.
    • The University of Maryland Commencement ceremony last approximately 2.5 hours.

    HONORS

    Latin honors at the time of commencement are tentative. The final determination will be made when all grades are submitted for all semesters. To view GPA cutoffs and review the university policy, visit the Office of the Registrar website.

    Undergraduate students earning Latin Honors (Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude or Cum Laude) will be notified and receive a tassel from the college.

    Detail information about Latin and Engineering Honors cutoff and eligibility can be found in the links below.

    CORDS & MEDALS

    Students receiving departmental honors chords, stoles, or special medals must contact the department offering the specific award.

    GradImages, the university’s official photographer, will take photographs of each graduate participating in the campuswide commencement ceremony prior to the procession and at the Clark School graduation ceremony as they cross the platform. While there is no obligation to purchase the prints, the graduate will receive color proofs emailed approximately two weeks after commencement. Be sure to complete the company's address card distributed in the line-up area prior to the procession to receive the proofs.

    Graduating students are responsible for obtaining their own graduation regalia. Regalia is required in order to participate in the Engineering School Commencement Ceremony.

    ON CAMPUS (UNIERSITY BOOK CENTER)

    Academic Regalia is available for purchase from the University Book Center (UBC). The UBC will continue to provide regalia services up until commencement.  Along with full regalia packages, UBC will stock individual pieces, including the tassel, stole, and hood.

    ORDER ONLINE (OAK HALL CAP & GOWN)

    Regalia will be available to order online directly from our vendor Oak Hall for a limited time. Visit the University Book Center for ordering and additional information. The ordering link will be available on October 23, 2023, until April 17, 2024.

    GRADUATE SALUTE

    The University Book Center will host a Graduate Salute event on November 30, 2023. The event will provide an opportunity to purchase regalia, order announcements, and class rings. Custom Doctorial regalia fittings will be available. Special pricing on diploma frames.

    GRAD FAIR

    The University Book Center will host a Graduation Fair on March 5 & 6, 2024, from 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM. The event will include regalia fittings and purchasing. Candidates will have an opportunity to order announcements & class rings. There will be special pricing on diploma frames.  A professional photographer available.

    • Doctoral Degree Candidates:

    The most elaborate regalia on display at Commencement are worn by those receiving a doctoral degree. A doctor's gown is a much fuller gown and is decorated with velvet lapels and three chevrons sewn onto the sleeves of the gown that designate the recipient as a “doctor.” In place of the mortarboard, doctoral students wear a tam, a velvet hat with a tassel attached that is much less rigid in construction and a hood (Doctor of Philosophy – Dark Blue Velvet). Doctoral regalia may be purchased or rented.

    ****Doctoral Candidates who are undecided or pending defense are strongly encouraged to pre order. Payment is deferred until regalia is picked-up.

    • Master of Science: Students will wear a modified gown with longer sleeves, the mortarboard with an attached UMCP black tassel, custom UMCP red stole, and a hood.
      • The Gold Hood color represents your specific degree or discipline. Be sure to provide the name of the degree you are earning.
    • Master of Professional Studies in Technology Entrepreneurship and Corporate Innovation, previously (Technology Entrepreneurship) and Product Management: Students will wear a modified gown with longer sleeves, the mortarboard with an attached UMCP black tassel, custom UMCP red stole, and a hood.
      • The Gold Hood color represents your specific degree or discipline. Be sure to provide the name of the degree you are earning.
    • Master of Engineering: Students will wear a modified gown with longer sleeves, the mortarboard with an attached UMCP black tassel, custom UMCP red stole, and a hood.
      • The Orange Hood color represents your specific degree or discipline. Be sure to provide the name of the degree you are earning.
    • If you are not sure, be sure to reach out to your department graduate coordinator.
      • Bachelor’s Degree Candidates

        For those earning a bachelor’s degree, a black gown and mortarboard are worn. A black tassel with a custom UMCP medallion is attached. A custom UMCP red stole completes the regalia for bachelor’s degree candidates. Be sure to indicate that you will be completing a Bachelor of Science degree. (Bachelor Hoods are no longer required)

      • Active-duty U.S. military personnel are allowed to wear their dress uniform instead of regalia if they prefer.

       

      University Book Center

      Stamp Student Union Bldg.

      Visit OneTerp.com for more information.

       

      Placement of Honor Cords and Medals

      •    Honor cords and medals are placed on top of the stole. 

       

      • Engineering School Commencement vs Main Commencement Ceremony
        • Graduating students are encouraged to attend both the Engineering School and the Main Commencement ceremonies, but participation on both it is not mandatory.

      Engineering School

      Tickets are not required for graduates or guests to attend the Spring Engineering School Commencement Ceremonies.

      Campuswide

      Tickets are required for all graduates and their guests to attend the Campuswide Commencement Ceremony. Additional information can be found on the Main Commencement website.

      As a new tradition the University of Maryland will no longer host winter commencement ceremonies, academic units will hold celebratory events to honor our graduates. Additional information will be posted to the website once available.

      Students graduating within the same academic year will be invited to participate in the Spring Commencement Ceremony. Be sure to check the Engineering School Commencement website periodically for more information.

      The University or the Engineering School does not issue invitation letters for guests to visit the U.S. to attend commencement ceremonies.  These letters are not required by the embassy to issue a B2 visa, which is designated for tourist activities such as sightseeing, visiting friends and relatives, and obtaining medical treatment.  

      The graduating student should submit a copy of their I-20 or DS-2019 to the relative applying for the tourist visa. Students can also send an Enrollment Verification along with the copy of your passport. The Enrollment Verification can be requested from the Office of the Registrar, under Verifications/Current Students.

      INFORMATION FOR FACULTY AND STAFF

      Important information about the Engineering School Commencement Ceremony for Faculty and Staff.

      REGALIA INFORMATION

      University Book Center - Stamp Student Union Bldg.

      Visit OneTerp.com under the Graduation Regalia section/Faculty Resources for more information.

      The online ordering link will be available starting March 4, 2024, through April 17, 2024.

      RSVP

      Faculty and Staff planning to participate in any of the Engineering School Commencement activities are required to submit the RSVP form from the link above in order to receive future communications.

       


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