Preparing for convocation
Graduation week at UD consists of a number of ceremonies. Graduates are welcome (and encouraged) to participate in their individual ceremonies as well as UD Commencement.
Separate tickets are required for each event for both degree candidates and guests. We encourage everyone, students and guests, to download their tickets PRIOR to the event.
Click here for information about schedules.
Digital programs of all UD graduations information forthcoming.
Convocation is a personalized ceremony for our College. Unlike UD’s Commencement ceremony on Saturday, all degree candidates names will be called, and participants will walk across the stage while being recognized.
Doctoral Hooding is a university-wide ceremony individually recognizing all UD students receiving their Ph.D. or Ed.D. degrees. Degree candidates will be hooded by their advisor.
Honors Degree Medal Ceremony is a university-wide ceremony individually recognizing UD students who are candidates for an Honors Degree.
Commencement is the University-wide ceremony where degrees are conferred on all UD undergraduate and graduate students.
Date and time: Thursday, May 22, 2025 | 1:00 p.m.
Location: Delaware Field House
Doors open: 12:00 p.m.
Tickets are required for both degree candidates and guests. Parking information and directions will be available on the UD Commencement website. Please download your tickets before arriving.
Photography and videography from this event may be used by UD for promotional purposes.
Convocation will be webcast live on May 22, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at www.udel.edu/udlive.
Prepare for Graduation
- Students invited to participate include those who have completed their degree in Summer 2024, Fall 2024, Winter 2025, or who expect to complete in Spring 2025 or Summer 2025.
- If you have questions about your undergraduate graduation status, please contact ceoe-academics@udel.edu
- If you have questions about your graduate graduation status, please contact ceoe-academics@udel.edu or kerbawy@udel.edu
- Convocation is a dignified occasion and academic regalia (cap and gown) is required. Regalia must be purchased through the UD Barnes & Noble Bookstore. Contact the UD Bookstore with questions: (302) 831-2424.
- Graduates who require accommodations for the ceremony are encouraged to contact our office at ceoe-academics@udel.edu by May 9 to ensure arrangements can be made.
Convocation Day
- By 11:30 am, please report to the Whitney Athletic Center. Everyone entering the Whitney Center must go through a security check. After entering, please proceed to the check-in tables where College staff will check you in.
- Every degree candidate must have a name card in order to have your name read. Please do not get in line without your card, Keep your name card with you and take it up to the stage.
- No food or drink is allowed.
- In the event of inclement weather, only small umbrellas are permissible.
- There are no facilities to store your belongings so please plan accordingly. If you must carry keys or other essentials, think about pockets, a fanny bag or a small crossbody purse to be worn under your regalia.
- Signs will be posted in the Whitney Athletic Center designating an area for graduate students and undergraduates from each major/program to line up. Your card will have a number for you to line up. College staff will be available to assist you.
- Form a single file line within your major or program, keeping in mind that you will be seated with those in front of and behind you.
- Your name will be read by the Marching Order system using the QR code on the card that you must pick up when you check in. Keep your card with you and take it to the stage.
- At the conclusion of the ceremony, please wait for the platform party to exit and then degree candidates will process out. Your guests will exit through the front of the building. Please arrange a meeting spot outside the front of the Field House so you can find each other. You will not be allowed to re-enter the Field House.
11:30 a.m. – Students, please report to the check-in tables at the entrance of the Whitney Athletic Center to pick up your name card. Please allow plenty of time to park, make your way to the Whitney, and to pick up your card. We are on a tight schedule.
12:30 p.m. – Degree candidates and certificate recipients must be assembled under the stadium stands by this time. This area is covered, with access to restrooms and water. If you are late, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to participate.
1:00 p.m. – Ceremony begins at Delaware Field House
- Every degree candidate must have a name card in order to have your name read. Please do not get in line without your card, Keep your name card with you and take it up to the stage.
- Tickets are required for degree candidates.
- No food or drink is allowed.
- There are no facilities to store your belongings so please plan accordingly. If you must carry keys or other essentials, consider pockets or a small cross-body bag or similar to wear under your regalia.
Family members and guests are encouraged to arrive no later than 12:15 pm. The ceremony will begin promptly at 1 p.m. Please be aware there will be traffic and plan your arrival accordingly.
- Tickets are required.
- The Field House doors will open at 12:00 p.m.
- The ceremony will last approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
- No noisemakers like air horns or cowbells, and no food or beverages will be allowed.
- A security check will happen at the front door.
- Water stations will be provided.
- A limited number of restrooms are available in the Field House. Please consider using the restroom before arriving, if possible.
- The ceremony will be best viewed on the video screens throughout the Field House. Please be mindful that we will have seats blocked for faculty and graduates.
- Parents and guests should only sit in the designated guest seating areas as the reserved sections of seating are for the graduates.
- Special seating: If you need assistance with ADA seating, please see one of the ushers or event staff. ADA parking will be available near the Field House. Please notify a parking attendant if you need further assistance.
- Please keep the aisles clear during the processional and recessional.
- Official photographers from Grad Images will photograph each degree candidate or certificate recipient as they are recognized on stage.
- At the conclusion of the ceremony, please wait until after the Platform Party and graduate recessional to exit the field house. Families will meet their degree candidates outside the Field House. Please designate a meeting spot before the ceremony begins.
- Thank you and enjoy this special day!
About our speaker
Renato Kane has been working in the field of ocean exploration for over 10 years, with a focus on geospatial science and remote sensing. He has participated in more than 75 scientific research expeditions and logged over 1,100 days at sea—most notably as a core team member aboard Exploration Vessel Nautilus with the Ocean Exploration Trust.
Renato has served in leadership capacities as an Expedition Leader, as well as technical roles as Lead Navigator and Mapping Coordinator, contributing to projects understanding some of the world’s most remote and scientifically significant ocean features—from the Revillagigedo Archipelago and Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument to hydrothermal vent fields in the Northeastern Pacific and submerged WWII maritime heritage sites around the world.
Renato holds both B.A. and M.S. degrees in Geography from the University of Delaware, where his graduate research focused on using terrestrial laser scanning to measure rock glacier movement in the Argentine Andes. In addition to his scientific fieldwork, he has contributed to numerous publications, scientific conference presentations, and national mapping initiatives.
Note: This information was last updated on Thursday, May 15. Check back in case of updates. Contact the CEOE Student Services Office at ceoe-academics@udel.edu if you have any questions.
Additional information is also available on the UD Commencement website.