As graduation season approaches, soon-to-be graduates are making the most of the sunshine and campus blooms for their graduation photos. In addition to grad pics, there are more tasks seniors can prepare for before Commencement Day.
Undergraduate commencement will take place Sunday, May 4 at 11 a.m. in the Chiles Center.
Ahead of the big day, The Beacon’s got you covered with important dates, action items and graduation tips for commencement weekend so you don’t miss a thing.
Important Dates
Thursday, April 24 and Friday, April 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Bauccio Commons, undergraduates can pick up their cap & gown according to the commencement checklist.
If these dates don’t work for pick-up, students can also get their cap and gown an hour before commencement ceremonies and Mass.
On Thursday, May 1 at 3:30 p.m., all are welcome to join the Lavender Celebration, a reception for LGBTQ+ graduates, in the lower level of Orrico Hall. At the celebration, students can also grab lavender and rainbow cords for the commencement ceremony.
According to the Director of the Center for Gender and Sexuality, Gregory Pulver, the Lavender Celebration honors the experiences and backgrounds of LGBTQ+ students and allies.
“By hosting Lavender Celebration, the University of Portland is making a powerful statement of support for LGBTQ+ students and allies,” Pulver said in an email to The Beacon. “It is a time to reflect on the challenges and triumphs that these students have faced throughout their academic journey, and to show them that their identities are valued and respected.”
On Friday, May 2 at 11 a.m., graduating seniors from the Schools of Business and Education can head to the Teach Toss/Biz Friz Competition on the Franz Hall fourth-floor balconies.
While the event is exclusive to School of Education and Business students, community members are invited to grab a snack and watch from a safe distance in the Academic Quad.
According to Dean of the School of Education John Watzke, the event has evolved to be a competitive gathering for the two academic programs located in Franz Hall.
“It's definitely become a tradition, and we've even adopted color-coded frisbees that are either white or purple by academic unit,” Watzke said in an email to The Beacon. “We've added large face cutouts of the two deans as targets. We think it's a fun and unique way to end the school year for seniors and to do something special and unique in the community.”
On Friday, May 2 at 12 p.m. in the Pilot House, Honors Program graduates and their families are invited to the Honors Program Senior Lunch to commemorate their academic achievements. The event is invitation-only.
The luncheon will include happy hour and pre-plated lunch and give students a bachelor's hood and medallion to recognize their program participation.
May 2, the First Generation Student Pinning Ceremony will celebrate the achievements of first-generation graduates at 2 p.m. in Buckley Center Auditorium. Before the ceremony, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., a buffet lunch and photo booth will be available for graduates, family and friends.
Also on May 2, the School of Nursing will host the School of Nursing & Health Innovations Pinning Ceremony at 4:15 p.m. in the Chiles Center. The ceremony intends to celebrate graduating nursing students' commitment to patient care. Doors will open at 3:15 p.m. and tickets are not required.
On Saturday, May 3, the ROTC Commissioning Ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. in Bauccio Commons to honor the dedication of cadets as they take their oath of office and transition to commissioned officers.
ROTC cadets, families and friends are welcome to attend with no ticket needed.
Saturday, May 3 at 1:00 p.m. in the Chiles Center marks the Graduate School Commencement Ceremony. No tickets are required to attend the event, and doors open at 12:15 p.m.
Timothy J. Morgan will serve as the Graduate Commencement Speaker. According to the Associate Vice President and Chief of Staff Evan Leadem, Morgan is a 1986 alum, CEO of AAA Oregon/Idaho and chair of the University’s board of regents.
Also on Saturday, May 3 is the Baccalaureate Mass for undergraduates at 4:30 p.m. in the Chiles Center. Doors will open at 3:30 p.m.
Live streams for both the graduate commencement and undergraduate Mass can be found here.
The final event on May 3 is the Senior Toast at 5:45 p.m. in the Academic Quad. The champagne toast will be led by President Robert Kelly to celebrate the Class of 2025. The event is open to graduating seniors and their families, with no RSVP necessary.
Commencement Day
On Sunday, May 4, doors will open to the public at 9:30 a.m., with the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony beginning at 11 a.m. in the Chiles Center. Internationally recognized academic, author, ordained minister and radio host Michael Eric Dyson will serve as the undergraduate commencement speaker this year.
Additionally, the Graduation Checklist asked graduates to request up to five tickets for their invited attendees. The tickets will be emailed to graduates one week prior to commencement day.
More information concerning the free, randomly-assigned seating tickets and accommodations are detailed here.
Supporters of graduates who do not have tickets to the ceremony are invited to join the live stream of the commencement.
According to the Transfer Articulation and Graduate Coordinator Diane Lorenzo, graduates will receive a UP Diploma cover when they cross the stage on commencement day.
On the Tuesday following commencement, degrees will be awarded and diplomas will be mailed to graduates during the week of May 12. A third-party diploma provider, Diplomatic, will offer additional physical diplomas and frames for purchase, according to Lorenzo.
Students are recommended to confirm their graduation application in the Self Serve student dashboard and contact the registrar's office with any changes to diploma name or address as soon as possible.
Additionally, graduates will be emailed commencement day photos from GradImages with information for ordering prints.
Settling financial accounts before graduation
According to the Interim Director of Student Accounts Student Accounts Tracie Gerber, students must settle all financial accounts with the University to receive a diploma. This includes paying any past-due tuition balances, library fines, hall fines and parking fines.
Students can check their account balance in PilotsUP to settle overdue tuition balances and pay off fines for other departments, like the library. Students should also contact the Office of Student Accounts with questions regarding their balance.
Graduation Tips
Commencement ceremonies are expected to last about two-and-a-half hours, with doors opening for guests 90 minutes before the listed start time.
Event staff ask graduates to arrive in cap and gown one hour and 30 minutes before the ceremony begins, where they will receive procession instructions.
Attendees should also prepare for bag inspections and metal detectors at the entry of the Chiles Center. Information regarding the event’s bag policy and prohibitions can be found here.
Finally, seniors can take advantage of on-campus photo-ops to announce the graduation milestone.
Show off that grad glow at the front doors of The Chapel of Christ the Teacher, the steps of Franz Hall overlooking the Academic Quad and in front of the University of Portland entrance.
Kalena O’Connell is a News Reporter for The Beacon. She can be reached at oconnell27@up.edu.
