The university-wide Commencement ceremony is the official University of Illinois academic ceremony at which the Chancellor presides and the President confers degrees. Doctoral degree candidates are invited to attend but will not be hooded at the event; Doctoral, Bachelor's, Master's and Professional (JD, DVM, and MD) degree candidates stand as a group at their seats and are recognized by college. This is a dignified ceremony that lasts about two hours. Academic attire is required.
The university-wide Commencement ceremony held on Saturday, May 11 will take place rain or shine. However, if the weather is unsafe, the ceremony will be cancelled or shortened depending on the weather forecast. Unsafe weather includes high winds and lightning strikes within eight miles of an outdoor ceremony. The Commencement Office works closely with members of the University's safety team and local meteorologists in making the determination to cancel or shorten Commencement.
Should inclement weather occur, the cancellation notification will be sent out via social media, the University of Illinois website, the University's text messaging system (Illini-Alert), and to local media. All unit Convocation ceremonies at the University will still take place at their regularly scheduled times. A list of unit Convocation ceremonies is available at http://commencement.illinois.edu/ceremonies/convocation.html.
Please remember, Illinois weather in May can change quickly. Please check the weather forecast and dress appropriately so you can celebrate the day comfortably with your graduate.
For updates, follow Commencement on twitter #ILLINOIS2019
To receive Illini-Alert messages visit http://police.illinois.edu/emergency/illini-alert/ for instructions.
Illinois alumnus and philanthropist Larry Gies will serve as the campuswide commencement speaker. Gies is the founder and CEO of Madison Industries, an international manufacturing company that is one of the largest privately held companies in the world. The Chicago-based company is dedicated to making the world “safer, healthier and more productive.”
