Graduation Information

Spring 2020 Schedule of Events

• Doctoral Commencement- Thursday, April 30 at 7 p.m. in the Exactech Arena of the Stephen C. O'Connell Center (includes individual recognition and hooding of doctoral students)
• University-wide Commencement - Friday, May 1 at 7 p.m. in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (degrees will be conferred at this ceremony)
• CALS Recognition Ceremony - Sunday, May 3 at 9 a.m. in the Exactech Arena of the Stephen C. O'Connell Center (individual degree candidates will be recognized)
  

Spring 2020 CALS Recognition Ceremony Opportunities

• Student Singer Application - The college is accepting student singer applications for our spring 2020 college student recognition ceremony. The selected candidate will be afforded the opportunity to sing the national anthem and alma mater during the CALS student recognition ceremony on Sunday, May 3, 2020 at 9 a.m,

Applicants MUST email Annette Isenhour at aisenhour@ufl.edu by 5 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2020 for an audition.

• Student Speaker Application - The college is accepting student speaker applications for our spring 2020 college student recognition ceremony. The selected candidate will be afforded the opportunity to address the CALS graduating class during the CALS student recognition ceremony on Sunday, May 3, 2020 at 9 a.m.

For consideration, students MUST complete the application, provide names and contact information for references, and participate in an audition if extended the invitation to audition. Completed applications should be submitted to 2020 McCarty Hall D by 5 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2020.

Spring CALS Recognition Ceremony: What to Expect

• Individual recognition of bachelor's and master's degree recipients on the O'Connell Center stage
• Students will be greeted by their department chair/representative on stage
• Special gift for attending degree candidates from the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
• Student singer for the national anthem and alma mater

CALS Recognition Ceremony: Student Instructions

• Check in begins at 7:30 a.m. at Gate 4
• Guest entry is from Gate 1
• Student processional will begin shortly after 8:30 a.m.; guests should be in their seat by this time.
• Regalia (cap and gown) is required
• Students should bring their name card to this ceremony
• There will be a recessional of all graduates after the ceremony (no leaving early)

CALS Recognition Ceremony FAQs

Information on lodging, parking, photography, and additional commencement weekend details are provided at https://commencement.ufl.edu.

• Will the Spring CALS Recognition Ceremony ceremony be live streamed?

  Yes! The link to the live-streamed CALS ceremony is will be posted here.
  

• Will my name be called as I walk across the stage?

  Yes! All College of Agricultural and Life Sciences bachelor's and master's candidates will be recognized by name as they cross the stage at the CALS Recognition Ceremony. Doctoral candidates will be reognized by name as they cross the stage at the University-wide Doctoral Commencement.

• What should I wear?

  Students should wear academic regalia (cap and gown) to all Commencement-weekend events.

• Where do I get a name card and which ceremony do I bring it to?

  Students will receive name cards at the Bookstore when picking up regalia. Name cards should be brought to the Doctoral Commencement or the CALS Recognition Ceremony. Name cards are not needed for the University-wide Commencement.

• Do I need tickets to attend the ceremony? How many guests can I bring?

  No, tickets are not required for the CALS Recognition Ceremony, Doctoral Commencement or the University-wide Commencement. There is no limit to the number of guests an individual student may bring to each of these events.

• Where should I park?

  Parking information is available at https://www.oconnellcenter.ufl.edu/general-information/parking-information/commencement-parking/. There are no shuttles for this ceremony.

• Where do I go once I get to the O'Connell Center?

  Graduates should report to Gate 4 of the O'Connell Center 60-90 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. Guests will enter from Gate 1. Please review the O'Connell Center's security policy prior to arrival and note the list of prohibited items.

• Will I receive my diploma?

  You will not receive a diploma at the Universitywide Commencement Ceremony or the CALS Student Recognition Ceremony. Diplomas are mailed to the graduate's diploma mailing address. Learn more at https://commencement.ufl.edu/diploma.

• Where can I find accessibility information?

  Accessibility information for the Stephen C. O'Connell Center is available at https://www.oconnellcenter.ufl.edu/general-information/accessibility-information/.

  If a member of your party needs special accommodations, please see an usher upon entering the venue with your request.

  If you are a graduate with a special request, please contact the disability resource center so we can appropriately serve you.