College of Letters & Science Spring 2024 Commencement
College of Letters & Science Pre-Commencement Celebration
Saturday, May 11, 2024 | 9:00–10:30 a.m.
UW Field House
1450 Monroe St, Madison, WI 53706
Please be aware of the updated carry-in policy that applies to this event before arriving.
The College of Letters & Science will hold an in-person Spring 2024 Pre-Commencement Celebration for L&S graduates and their families on Saturday, May 11, from 9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m. at the UW Field House. Celebrate your milestone at this informal event with the Dean, your family and friends, and Bucky. Enjoy refreshments, a complimentary L&S alumni t-shirt and more, at this free event.
Graduates who apply to graduate by the required deadline will be featured in the L&S Pre-Commencement Celebration Program. The College is unable to accommodate reading names and having graduates walk across the stage at the L&S Pre-Commencement Celebration. Graduates are encouraged to reach out to their home department(s) to inquire about their commencement related event plans.
Questions about accessibility options for in-person campus events can be found, here.
Questions about the L&S Pre-Commencement Celebration can be directed to commence@ls.wisc.edu.
University Commencement Plans
Doctoral, MFA, and Medical Professionals
Friday, May 10, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.
Kohl Center, 601 W. Dayton Street
Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Law Degree Candidate Ceremony
Saturday, May 11, 2024 at Noon
Camp Randall, 1440 Monroe St.
Graduates should consult the University’s Commencement website regularly for updates. You may also email commence@chancellor.wisc.edu with any questions regarding the University’s Commencement.
General FAQs:
How do I apply to graduate?
Students must apply for graduation to attend the University ceremonies and receive their diploma. Graduates are required to complete the application, even if they have missed the deadline for their name to be listed in the program. Apply to graduate here.
Please note: March 29th is the deadline to have your name appear in the University Spring 2024 Commencement printed program and the L&S Pre-Commencement event printed program.
How do I order a cap and gown?
Reserve your cap and gown through the University Bookstore (click on the Cap & Gown tab). For Spring 2024 Commencement, orders can be placed starting on February 5, 2024.
When do I receive my diploma?
The actual diploma will be mailed to you by the Office of the Registrar several weeks after the end of the semester.
I am late to apply to graduate, can I still graduate?
Yes, graduates are required to complete the application, even if they have missed the deadline for their name to be listed in the program. All graduates are also required to have a cap and gown in order to attend the ceremony. This section will be updated as plans are confirmed.
L&S Departmental plans for commencement
Department of Astronomy (Astronomy-Physics)
Friday, May 10 | 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. CT
2241 Chamberlin Hall, 1150 University Avenue.
For more information or questions, please contact Evan Heintz, eheintz@wisc.edu
Department of Asian Languages and Cultures
Friday, May 10 | 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. CT
Bascom Hall, Room 260, 500 Lincoln Drive.
More Details to come.
Asian American Studies Program
Friday, May 10 | 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. CT
Multicultural Student Center Lounge, Red Gym, 716 Langdon Street.
The Asian American Studies Program and APIDA Student Center will hold a graduation celebration for AAS class of 2024. There will be graduation activities prior to student recognitions. Food and cake will be served. Additional questions can be emailed to @asianamerican@letsc.wisc.edu.
Department of Biology
Friday, May 3 | 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. CT
3rd floor of the Microbial Sciences Building, 1550 Linden Drive.
Stop by the 3rd floor of the Microbial Sciences Building near the Biology Major advising offices to enjoy ice cream with advisors and fellow grads. While you’re there, pick up your Biology Major mug. It’s our gift to you as our newest alumni. RSVP link. Contact: info@biologymajor.wisc.edu
Department of Chemistry
Friday, May 10 | Ceremony: 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. CT
John Morgridge Lecture Hall, North Tower S429, 1101 University Avenue.
Reception: 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. CT
Chemistry Lecture Commons, 1101 University Avenue.
Come join The Department of Chemistry for both a ceremony and reception to celebrate all Doctorate, Masters, and Chemistry Major graduates! If you are unable to attend there will be a live stream available at https://go.wisc.edu/883kmj. If you have any additional questions, please email connect@chem.wisc.edu
or refer to the website https://chem.wisc.edu/event/graduation-celebration/.
Department of Communication Arts
Thursday, May 9 | 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. CT
Gordon Dining & Event Center in the Overture/Sonata Concerto Rooms, 770 W. Dayton Street.
The Department of Communication Arts will be hosting a graduation ceremony for spring, summer and winter graduates and their guests. Graduates should arrive by 1:30pm for check-in. The event will include speeches, a hooding ceremony for PhD grads, a name reading ceremony with graduates crossing the stage and a reception with light refreshments after. Undergraduates and PhD students were emailed instructions to RSVP. Guests do not need to RSVP. Event doors will open at 1:30pm. Please contact Steffie Halverson, halverson2@wisc.edu, with any more questions you may have.
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Friday, May 10 (AuD program graduation) | 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. CT
Saturday, May 11 (SLP program ceremony) | 2:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. CT
Lake Mendota Room - Dejope Hall, 640 Elm Drive.
The Communication Sciences and Disorders Program will host a hooding ceremony for the SLP program on May 11th and a graduation for the AuD program on May 10th. for all graduating SLP and AuD students and their guests.
Chican@ and Latin@ Studies Program
Saturday, May 11 | 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. CT
Ingraham Hall, Room B10, 1155 Observatory Dr.
Celebrate the achievements of the class of 2024! More detail to look out for, including details about the speaker.
Department of Economics
Thursday, May 9 | 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. CT
Location: TBD
More details to come.
Department of English
Saturday, May 11 | 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. CT
Alumni Lounge, Pyle Center, 702 Langdon St.
The English department will recognize students in the major who are graduating during this event that includes speeches from the Department Chair, Director of Undergraduate Studies, and student speakers. Students will be recognized as they walk across a stage with their name read to receive their English department mug. Coffee and refreshments will be available along with a live stream of the event for those that are unable to attend.
For questions or to RSVP, email Erin Polnaszek Boyd, Academic Advising Manager in the English Department (erin.polnaszek.boyd@wisc.edu)
International Studies Major
Wednesday, May 8 | 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. CT
Great Hall, Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St.
The International Studies Major welcomes graduates and their guests to celebrate the class of 2024. Students will have their names read and will receive a certificate and commemorative pin. Appetizers and refreshments will be served. Questions can be directed to Molly Donnellan (molly.donnellan@wisc.edu)
School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Friday, May 10 | 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. CT
Discovery Building, H.F. DeLuca Forum, 330 N. Orchard St.
SJMC is happy to celebrate graduates at this free event! If you have any questions, please contact Rowan Calyx by email calyx@wisc.edu or by phone at 608-263-4898.
La Follette School of Public Affairs
Sunday, May 12 | 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. CT
Assembly Chambers of the WI State Capitol Building, 2 E Main St.
Come celebrate the graduating class of 2024!
L&S Honors Commencement Celebration
Friday, May 10 | 2:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. CT
Gordon Commons
Registration required
Legal Studies Program
Saturday, May 11 | 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. CT
Carson Gulley, Upper Program Room, 1515 Tripp Circle.
Please join us in celebrating our Legal Studies and Criminal Justice graduates on Saturday, May 11 from 3pm to 4pm in Carson Gulley - Upper Program Room - 1515 Tripp Circle. RSVP Graduates will have an opportunity to share a few words at the event and refreshments will be provided. Please refer to our website https://criminaljustice.wisc.edu/event/clsj-graduation-reception/ for the RSVP link and more information. Any other questions can be directed to the Center of Law, Society, and Justice, cjcp@ssc.wisc.edu.
Department of Mathematics
Friday, May 10 | 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. CT
Math Learning Center B224, Van Vleck Hall, 480 Lincoln Drive.
Come celebrate all undergraduate Mathematic majors!
Mead Writer School of Music
Friday, May 10 | 2:00 p.m. CT
Hamel Music Center, MWF Concert Hall, 740 University Ave.
Come join us in Graduation, Hooding, and Awards Recognition ceremony with reception to follow in the HMC lobby.
Department of Physics
Friday, May 10
Ph.D. Celebration: 3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. CT
Treats/Ice Cream: 3:30 p.m. – 4:00p.m. CT
Undergraduate Celebration: 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. CT
Chamberlin Hall, Room 2241, 1150 University Ave.
The Department of Physics will be hosting a Graduation Celebration Events for all Ph.D. and Undergraduate students. Please join us in celebrating their accomplishments with treats and ice cream! This event will be hosted by Sharon Kahn and Evan Heintz.
Department of Political Science
Friday, May 10 | 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. CT
Gordon Dining & Event Center
The Department of Political Science will be celebrating their graduates with a brunch reception for students and up to two guests. RSVP is required. Students who have applied to graduate will receive email updates regarding the event.
Department of Psychology
Saturday, May 11 | 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. CT
Brogden Psychology Building, 1202 West Johnson Street.
The Department of Psychology will celebrate Bachelor's degree candidates with a drop-in Graduation Reception on Saturday, May 11, from 9am-11am in the Brogden Psychology Building.
More information and RSVP here.
Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work
Saturday, May 11 | 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. CT
Discovery Institute, 330 N. Orchard.
The Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work will be welcoming and celebrating their graduates! All SRSSW graduates (Social Welfare majors, BSWs, MSWs and PhD’s) and their families are invited. Food and beverages will be served. In addition, we will have a hooding ceremony for the MSW and PhD graduates. RSVP required.
Department of Statistics
Wednesday, May 8
Undergraduate Reception: 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. CT
Graduate Reception: 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. CT
Discovery Building, H.F. DeLuca Forum, 330 N. Orchard St.
The Department of Statistics will be hosting receptions for all undergraduates and graduate students. Photo opportunities, refreshments, and a celebration gift will be provided for all grads. Families, friends, Department faculty and staff are welcome to attend. Please fill out the Department of Statistics Graduation Reception RSVP form at go.wisc.edu/wk39xc.
Email Plia Xiong at plia.xiong@wisc.edu with any questions.
