Event Details
2025 Commencement Ceremony
Thursday, May 15, 2025
3:30 PM
Northrop Auditorium
The College of Design's 2025 Commencement Ceremony is for design undergraduate and graduate students. A live stream broadcast of the ceremony will be available for folks unable to attend in person.
Commencement FAQs
Collected below are frequently asked questions related to the College of Design's Commencement Ceremony. If you are unable to find an answer to your question in our FAQs please reach out to [email protected].
Who will be invited to the 2025 College of Design Commencement?
- Students who have formally declared a) a College of Design undergraduate degree b) a College of Design graduate degree c) are pursuing a second major within the College of Design AND
- Have an Expected Graduation Term (EGT) of Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Summer 2025, or Fall 2025.
Note: The printed program will include all students who are invited to the ceremony, regardless of whether or not they attend.
How and when will I be invited to Commencement?
College of Design students receive an invitation via their U of M email address. Students need to fill out the survey embedded within their email invitation to RSVP for the ceremony.
When will I be able to request tickets for Commencement?
Ticket requests need to be made through the RSVP survey that will be emailed directly to graduating students' U of M inboxes. The deadline to RSVP and request tickets for Commencement is Monday, April 8.
How many tickets can I request for Commencement?
Each student who RSVPs by the Monday, April 8 deadline can request up to 6 tickets. Graduating students do not need a ticket for themselves.
We cannot guarantee that tickets will be available for those who do not take the survey by the deadline. In late April, the college will open up any remaining tickets for graduates to request more on a first-come, first-served basis. Graduating students will be sent a separate email and survey link to request additional tickets once they open.
Where can I get regalia?
Regalia is not required to attend Commencement but if you would like to wear a cape and gown you can order both at the University Bookstore in Coffman Memorial Union.
Where should I park?
Please remind your friends and family to leave plenty of time to arrive and find parking on campus. We suggest you explore all University parking options and plan ahead.
For individuals with mobility concerns, Northrop has several accessible entrances and an accessible drop-off and pick-up location on its east side.
Can photos be taken during Commencement?
GradImages will attend the College of Design Celebration and will be taking photographs of each graduate. They will send you color proofs via your U of M email and, if you decide to purchase copies of your photo, the proofs will be mailed within a week of the ceremony.
Guests are encouraged to relax in their seats and limit their personal picture-taking to before or after the ceremony.
Will Commencement be live-streamed?
Yes! The College of Design Commencement will be live-streamed. A link will be provided closer to the date of the event.
How will academic achievements be recognized? (e.g., Latin Honors, Distinction, honor cords)
If you are an undergraduate student graduating with a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or above, and/or if you are completing the honors program, please be sure to note that on the online survey you received in March.
- If you graduate with an overall GPA of 3.750 – 3.889, you will earn a level of Distinction.
- If you graduate with an overall GPA of 3.900 or higher, you will earn a level of High Distinction.
- Latin Honors: for students participating in the University Honors Program (UHP).
A notation will be included next to your name in the printed program.
When will I receive my diploma?
Most students receive their diplomas two to three months after completing their degree requirements. For diplomas sent to an international address delivery may take an additional two to three months longer. Be sure to contact your advisor if you have questions or concerns about completing your degree requirements.
Where can I watch last year's Commencement?
You can watch previous College of Design Commencement Ceremonies on the College of Design YouTube page.