FALL GRADUATION CEREMONY 2025
Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. | A. Ray Olpin Union
Graduating students need to arrive no later than 5:30pm
Celebrate the accomplishments of our undergraduate graduates at the College of Nursing Fall Convocation.
What are Graduation, Commencement, and Convocation Ceremonies?
Graduation, Commencement, and Convocation ceremonies at the University of Utah College of Nursing each fulfill a distinct role in recognizing student achievement. Although many people use the word graduation to describe all academic ceremonies, the official ceremony names are Commencement and Convocation, and each term carries a specific meaning. Graduation marks the official conferral of a degree once all academic requirements have been met. Commencement is the university wide ceremony held each spring, celebrating all graduates collectively with campus traditions and recognition but without reading individual names. Convocation is a college specific ceremony where each graduate is recognized individually. While the University of Utah Commencement brings together all graduates from across campus, Convocation is a special and more personal event organized by each college.
The College of Nursing hosts its spring Convocation alongside the university’s Commencement to honor students earning bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Additionally, the College of Nursing holds summer and fall Convocation ceremonies to provide the same meaningful, personalized recognition for students graduating outside the main spring academic year. At the College of Nursing Convocation, every graduate’s name is announced, as they walk across the stage and are individually celebrated for their academic success among classmates, faculty, families, and friends.
For details about the University Commencement Ceremony, including dates, eligibility, and attendance information, visit the University of Utah Commencement website.
Ceremony Information
Each graduation ceremony celebrates the academic accomplishments of our students through a formal program that includes a processional, remarks from leadership, recognition of graduates, and a recessional.
Spring Graduation is the college’s main annual ceremony and features the full program, including a student council welcome, remarks from the dean and university leadership, student speakers from multiple programs, and the formal presentation of graduates from each degree track, PhD, DNP, MS, BS, and Gerontology. Awards and honors are also presented, and diplomas are conferred during the ceremony. Graduates should arrive approximately 90 minutes before the Spring Convocation ceremony to check in and line up with their cohort. Staff and faculty will be on site to assist and direct participants throughout the event.
Summer and Fall Graduations follow a shortened program recognizing undergraduate graduates. These ceremonies include a processional, welcome remarks, presentation of graduates, and a recessional. While smaller in scale, they offer the same meaningful opportunity for students to celebrate their achievements among peers, family, and faculty. Graduates should arrive approximately 60 minutes before the Summer and Fall Graduation ceremonies to check in and line up with their cohort. Staff and faculty will be on site to assist and direct participants throughout the event.
Graduating students are required to wear full academic regalia, including cap, gown, and tassel, for their convocation ceremony. Underneath the gown, students should wear professional or semi-formal attire and comfortable shoes, as the ceremony involves standing and walking in line. The tassel should be worn on the right side of the cap before the degree is conferred and moved to the left side during the ceremony.
Regalia can be purchased or picked up through the University of Utah Campus Store. Spring Convocation includes undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral graduates, while Summer and Fall convocations are for undergraduate students only. Students should ensure their regalia is complete, properly fitted, and ready before the ceremony.
The annual University of Utah Grad Fair, typically held in the spring at the Campus Store, provides students an opportunity to try on and purchase regalia in person and pick up other graduation essentials. Summer and Fall graduates who are unable to attend the spring Grad Fair can still order their regalia online or pick it up directly from the Campus Store before their ceremony.
For details on the specific regalia required for your program, view the regalia guide below.
Undergraduate Students (BS in Nursing & Gerontology)
- Gown: Black bachelor's gown
- Cap: Black graduation cap
- Tassel: Apricot college color tassel (Tip: Your tassel is worn on the right side before the degree is conferred and moved to the left during the ceremony)
- Stole: Optional stoles (e.g., Stole of Gratitude, Phi Theta Kappa, nursing honor societies)
- Attire: Professional or semi-formal attire underneath the gown
Master’s Students (MS in Nursing & Post-MS to DNP)
- Gown: Black master’s gown (longer, oblong sleeves)
- Cap: Black graduation cap
- Tassel: Apricot college color tassel Tip: Your tassel is worn on the right side before the degree is conferred and moved to the left during the ceremony)
- Hood: U of U Master’s hood in college colors
- Stole: Optional stoles
- Attire: Professional or semi-formal attire underneath the gown
Doctoral Students (PhD & Doctor of Nursing Practice)
- Gown: PhD/Doctorate gown with velvet panels and three velvet bars on each sleeve
- Cap: Graduation Tam
- Tassel: Apricot college color tassel Tip: Your tassel is worn on the right side before the degree is conferred and moved to the left during the ceremony)
- Hood: U of U PhD/Doctor hood in college colors
- Stole: Optional stoles
- Attire: Professional or semi-formal attire underneath the gown
A ticket is required for each guest to enter the convocation ceremony, including babies in arms. Tickets will be distributed by Student Services once the number for each student is determined, with most students receiving approximately 6–10 tickets. Tickets are not required for graduating students. Additional information, including instructions for requesting extra tickets if available, will be sent directly to students prior to their ceremony by Student Services. The same ticket rules apply to all College of Nursing graduation and convocation ceremonies, including Spring, Summer, and Fall.
The Spring Convocation is held each May at Kingsbury Hall on the University of Utah campus. The Summer and Fall ConvocationsGraduations take place at the A. Ray Olpin University Union, with the Summer ConvocationGraduation typically held in August and the Fall ConvocationGraduation in December. For maps of the campus, building locations, and directions to each venue, please visit the University of Utah Interactive Map.
Arrival and Check-In
Graduating students and faculty should plan to arrive approximately 90 minutes before the Spring Convocation and 60 minutes before the Summer and Fall ConvocationsGraduations. This allows time for check-in, line-up, and any final instructions. Detailed arrival and check-in information will be provided by Student Affairs to students prior to each ceremony.
Parking and Transportation
- Spring Convocation (Kingsbury Hall): Graduates and guests should plan to arrive early to allow time for check-in, line-up, and seating. Detailed parking, shuttle, and accessibility information for Spring Convocation is available on the Commencement Parking page and the Commencement FAQ page. Passenger drop-off zones and ADA accommodations are available, and event staff will be on site to assist graduates and guests.
- Summer and Fall ConvocationGraduations (A. Ray Olpin Student Union): Graduates and guests should also plan to arrive early for Summer and Fall Convocations to allow time for check-in, line-up, and seating. Designated parking areas, including lots adjacent to the Student Union, are available, with details on locations, fees, and accessibility provided on the Union Parking page. Passenger drop-off zones and ADA accommodations are available at the Union, and event staff will be on site to assist graduates and guests.
Graduates should plan to arrive early to line up in preparation for the processional. For Spring Convocation, designated line-up locations outside Kingsbury Hall are assigned by degree and program to ensure students are organized for the processional and seating. Summer and Fall Graduations gather and organize in Room 205 of the A. Ray Olpin Student Union. At all ceremonies, event staff and faculty will be available to direct graduates, provide instructions, and assist with any questions, ensuring a smooth and timely procession into the venue.
Diplomas are mailed by the Office of the Registrar approximately 4 to 6 weeks after final grades are posted. Students receive a diploma cover at their Convocation ceremony, while the official diploma arrives later by mail. To make sure your diploma is delivered correctly, verify that your mailing address is current in CIS before graduation. Diplomas are sent through standard mail, so plan accordingly if you will be traveling or relocating after graduation. In addition to the physical diploma, graduates may access a digital diploma once it becomes available. Digital diplomas can be downloaded and shared with employers, professional organizations, or for personal records.
For detailed information about receiving your diploma, including mailing timelines, address updates, and accessing digital diplomas, visit the University of Utah Graduation & Commencement page.
To ensure your name is spelled and displayed correctly on your diploma, verify that your official name in the University of Utah Student Information System (CIS) is accurate and reflects your preferred first, middle, and last name. Any changes, including correcting spelling, adding a middle name, or updating your last name, must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office before the graduation application deadline. Accents, hyphens, and other special characters should also be entered correctly in CIS. Because diplomas are produced based on the information in CIS, it is important to make all updates before final grades are posted. Contact the Registrar’s Office as early as possible with any questions or concerns about how your name will appear.
Island Photography is the contracted photography service for the College of Nursing Spring Convocation. Every graduate is photographed as they cross the stage. After the ceremony, Island Photography will contact graduates directly with information on how to view and purchase their images.
Following the ceremony, the College of Nursing Advancement team will provide each graduate with a video clip of their stage crossing. Instructions for accessing the video will be distributed shortly after the event.
Guests may take photos from their seats, but approaching the stage during the ceremony is discouraged to maintain the flow of the event.
A livestream will be available for the Spring Convocation ceremony only. Family and friends who are unable to attend the Spring Convocation in person can watch the ceremony live online through the University of Utah Commencement website.
Celebrate and Connect
As a College of Nursing graduate, you're part of a vibrant community dedicated to advancing health care and education. We invite you to share your convocation moments on social media and connect with fellow alumni. Use the hashtags #UofUNursingGrad, #UofUGeronGrad, #UtahGrad25, or #UtahGrad26 to join the conversation and showcase your achievements. Stay engaged with the College of Nursing community through our Alumni page, where you can find opportunities to reconnect, volunteer, and support future generations of nursing professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Convocation is a College of Nursing ceremony that recognizes and celebrates your academic achievements in a smaller, more personal setting. University Commencement is a campus-wide ceremony held once each spring for all graduates. Spring Convocation coincides with the university Commencement ceremony, while Summer and Fall Graduations are held for undergraduate students only and do not have a separate Commencement.
Graduating students are the primary participants. Guests, including family and friends, may attend if they have tickets. Babies in arms also require a ticket. Most students receive 6–10 tickets. Tickets are not required for the graduating students themselves.
Graduates should attend the Convocation for the semester they complete their degree. Summer graduates are recognized in the following spring’s University Commencement and College Convocation. For example, Summer 2025 graduates will be included in Spring 2026. Fall graduates attend their designated Fall graduation but may also choose to participate in the next Spring Convocation. Spring Convocation is the only ceremony that coincides with University Commencement.
No, there is not a graduation rehearsal. College of Nursing staff will be on-hand to assist graduation candidates throughout the ceremony.
Yes. All graduates must wear full academic regalia, including cap, gown, and tassel. Master’s and Doctoral graduates also wear hoods, and Doctoral students wear a tam. Regalia can be purchased through the University Campus Store. The tassel is worn on the right side before the degree is conferred and moved to the left during the ceremony. Additional details about regalia for each program are in the Regalia section above.
Suggested attire includes dark pants, dark shoes, a white or light colored shirt, or a dark dress. Neckties are optional. Flat shoes or shoes with flat heels are recommended for safety purposes—you will be navigating several sets of stairs. Do not wear green on the outside of your gown as to not interfere with the photographer's green screen.
You will wear the tassel on the right side of the cap. The Dean will direct graduation candidates to move the tassel to the left side at the appropriate time.
Yes, but only for the Spring Convocation. Family and friends who cannot attend in person can watch the ceremony live online through the University of Utah Commencement website. The livestream link will be shared on this page before the ceremony begins.
Designated ADA parking and drop-off zones are available at all venues. Graduates and guests needing accessibility accommodations, such as wheelchair seating or ASL interpretation, should contact Student Services at least two weeks before the ceremony. Staff will be on site to assist as needed.
Fall/Summer Convocation Highlights
Spring Convocation Highlights
