Doctoral Candidates
Congratulations doctoral degree candidates for reaching this tremendous achievement! We commend the knowledge, passion and dedication you have invested to earn this degree and applaud your contributions to your field of study and to our campus community. The university looks forward to honoring this milestone achievement and recently shared updates for doctoral candidate recognition over Commencement, May 10–12, 2024.
August 2023 and December 2023 doctoral graduates who have been certified are invited to participate in commencement activities. Expected May 2024 doctoral degree candidates who have defended their dissertation, completed all degree requirements and have been certified prior to commencement are also invited to participate in commencement activities.
Doctoral degree candidates not certified are not eligible to participate this year and will be invited to participate in next year’s commencement activities.
Weekend Highlights
Diploma Ceremonies
- Diploma ceremonies are hosted by the colleges/schools/departments to recognize their graduates over the course of the weekend. Diplomas will be awarded and doctoral hoods will be presented to doctoral degree candidates at these ceremonies. Each college, school and department will tailor their celebrations to provide a meaningful experience for their candidates, with particular attention focused on the special meaning of being publicly hooded for our doctoral graduates.
President’s Reception for Doctoral Graduates
- This special event, which will be held on the afternoon of Saturday, May 11, 2024, will be an opportunity for the university to recognize and celebrate your accomplishments along with your guests, your advisors, department heads, university leadership and your peers from across the university. The reception will include remarks from the President and a keynote speaker.
- There is no limit to the number of guests at the reception; however, we ask that all graduates register the number of guests they are planning to bring. A formal commemorative invitation will be sent this spring to your local mailing address as well as by email and will include registration details.
- As an additional recognition of your personal and collective achievements, we will produce a printed “Record of the 2024 Doctoral Graduates” that will be distributed at the reception.
Commencement Ceremony
- Taking place on Sunday, May 12, this ceremony will honor all candidates earning their bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as those who are being awarded honorary degrees. All doctoral candidates in the Class of 2024 will process together to the ceremony and stand to be recognized when the president officially confers their degrees.