Undergraduate Ceremony Details

Ceremony

Undergraduate Commencement
Baccalaureate degrees
Saturday, May 18, 2024
9:00 a.m. Ceremony Begins
7:00 a.m. doors open to public
7:00 a.m.-8:15 a.m. Graduating Student Check-in Hawks Championship Center (next to stadium)
Memorial Stadium
One Memorial Stadium Drive, Lincoln, NE 68588

The ceremony is expected to last 2.5 to 3 hours

Permitted Items

Download the seating map

Graduate Arrival on May 18

Prior to Saturday, May 18 please confirm you have all your regalia items: your cap with tassel, gown and stole. If you are missing any items, visit the University Bookstore in the Nebraska Union on city campus no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 16. For questions, contact the bookstore at (402) 472-7300.

Arrival instructions for Saturday, May 18:

  • 7:00 a.m. begins graduate check-in at Hawks Championship Center (1111 Salt Creek Roadway – north of Memorial Stadium). Enter on the west side of the building.
  • Graduates must be checked-in no later than 8:15 a.m. for the 9:00 a.m. ceremony. We recommend students be checked in by 8:00 a.m. By arriving past 8:15 a.m. you may forfeit your ability to cross the stage with your college.
  • Please bring your NCard for check-in. If you do not have an NCard, please bring a photo form of ID and your NU ID number.
  • You will be issued a name/number card at check-in to find your seat on the field. Keep this card and bring it with you as you are called up to receive your diploma.
  • If you earned a distinction medallion through your college, it will be given to you at check-in.
  • Please arrive wearing your cap with tassel, gown and stole. To protect against wind gusts, we encourage students to secure their stole to their gown using safety pins.
  • Graduates are strongly encouraged to wear flat, comfortable shoes. You will be moving on field turf and/or changes in terrain.
  • We recommend leaving any personal items, such as coats and bags, with family and friends. We are not responsible for lost items.
  • Permitted items policies must be followed for all graduates and guests in attendance.
  • As you complete check-in, you will also see opportunities for a professional portrait stop, last-minute regalia fixes and a restroom break before heading into the stadium. Please do not linger any longer than necessary so that the ceremony can begin on time.
  • Once checked in, you will leave Hawks and head to your assigned seat on the field. You may wish to communicate your location to guests in the stands by messaging them the color-coded section indicated on your card.
  • Accommodations: The university is committed to full access and reasonable accommodation for all who participate in commencement events.
    • If you are a graduate with a permanent or temporary disability and need assistance during the ceremony, please contact the Office of the University Registrar by Friday, April 19. You can reach us by email at gradservices.registrar@unl.edu.
    • American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation: Graduates requesting ASL interpreters for commencement should email us at gradservices.registrar@unl.edu by Friday, April 19. Open captioning will be provided on the stadium screens.

Additional Information

Diplomas
  • All participating May 2024 graduates will receive their individual diplomas when crossing the stage. To facilitate this process, it is imperative that you arrive on time and stay in your assigned place in line.
What to expect during the ceremony:
  • Once checked in, volunteers will guide you to enter the stadium through Gate 11. University Marshals will help you locate your specific section according to your name/number card.
  • You will be seated in chairs on the field according to your College.
  • When diploma distribution begins, all students will process to the stage as directed by the University Marshals. Please take your name/number card with you to the stage.
  • Marshals will direct you to proceed across the stage to receive your diploma and congratulations from the College Dean or representative, and then exit via the ramp and return to your seat.
  • Professional photographers will be taking pictures as you cross the stage. They will ask you to pause at the bottom of the ramp for a photo of you holding your diploma.
  • You will hand your name/number card to the photographer's assistant toward the end of the ramp when you are exiting.
  • Do not turn your tassel while crossing the stage. All graduates will be directed to turn their tassels as a group once everyone is back in their seats.
  • For the courtesy of all participants, we ask that you stay for the entire ceremony.
  • Water will be provided to all graduates on the field. University Marshals can help direct you to refilling stations and restrooms.
  • Pay special attention to the weather during the week of commencement. Dress appropriately, stay hydrated and consider sunglasses and sunscreen for additional protection.

Register To Attend

Do current May 2024 graduating students need to sign up to attend the May 18 undergraduate commencement ceremony?
  • Yes.
  • On Friday, April 4, students will receive a notification at their @huskers.unl.edu email account from the Office of the University Registrar requesting them to complete the Commencement and Diploma Form in MyRED. Students need to log into MyRED and complete the MyRED To-Dos, including the Commencement and Diploma Form.
  • The Commencement and Diploma Form registration will open April 5 and close April 19.
  • For questions on degree completion, contact the Office of the University Registrar at registrar@unl.edu or 402-472-3635.

 

Cap and Gown

To participate in commencement ceremonies, every graduate is required to wear UNL academic regalia.

  • Undergraduate students will purchase and keep their UNL academic regalia, which consists of a gown, Nebraska red stole, cap and tassel.

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How do I order my cap and gown for the Undergraduate Commencement?

There are several options for ordering academic regalia for May 2024 commencement. Whichever option you choose, all academic attire must be in hand by 5:00 pm Thursday, May 16 unless other arrangements have been made with the bookstore.

Option #1 (Recommended)

Order and purchase online through UNL vendor, Herff Jones.

  • To order and pay online for your regalia go to: the Herff Jones website.
  • Herff Jones will ship directly to the student-provided address, with delivery prior to commencement. International orders will be accepted, but shipping costs and deliveries may vary.
  • Herff Jones will accept regular, online shipment orders until April 17, 2024.
  • April 17 is the final deadline for domestic (U.S.) home shipment and the final closing date for online ordering. Please contact Herff Jones about international deliveries.

Option #2 (Recommended)

Attend Gradfest in person at the Wick Alumni Center (1520 R St, Lincoln, NE 68508) on Tuesday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or Wednesday, May 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

  • No pre-ordering required.
  • Pay for and receive academic regalia that day.

Option #3

After Gradfest, and once the Herff Jones website ordering is closed, caps and gowns can be purchased at the University Bookstore in the Nebraska Union, City Campus.

What is Gradfest?

Gradfest is a celebration event sponsored by the Nebraska Alumni Association. For May 2024 commencement, Gradfest will take place:

Tuesday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday, May 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wick Alumni Center (1520 R St, Lincoln, NE 68508)

At Gradfest students can:

  • Pick up and pay for commencement regalia in person.
  • Purchase a diploma frame, class ring and other memorabilia.
  • Learn about the Nebraska Alumni Association membership.
  • Register to win prizes such as a diploma frame.
  • Celebrate achievement.

Details will also be sent via email to all graduates and posted on the Nebraska Alumni Association website.

***NEW IN SPRING 2024 – GRADFEST AFTER HOURS: 2024 graduates are also invited to our new “Gradfest After Hours” events that will take place on Tuesday, April 30 from 5 – 7 p.m. in the Wick Alumni Center’s Holling Garden. More details will be announced later this spring, but this event will feature a live d.j., food trucks, drinks, door prizes and games along with the chance to purchase your cap and gown!

Guests and Entering the Stadium

  • Tickets are not required for guests and there is no limit to the number of guests for each graduate.
  • Guests should plan and dress accordingly for weather conditions.
  • Gates open to the public at 7:00 a.m. and seating is general admission. Guests will use the West Stadium for best viewing.
  • Gates 2, 3, 4 and 10 will be open for public entry. Guests with accessibility needs should use Gate 3.
  • Accommodations: The university is committed to full access and reasonable accommodation for all who participate in commencement events.
    • If you are a guest with permanent or temporary disabilities, hard-back chairs are available at the field level with one companion seat. Pre-registration is not required, and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please enter through Gate 3 and ask event staff for assistance. No elevator or stairs are needed to access this seating area.
    • The Northwest concourse Red Cross room is designated as a lactation room. Ask event staff for assistance in locating this space.
  • Permitted item policies must be followed for all graduates and guests in attendance.
    • Strollers are permitted into Memorial Stadium, but there are no secured stroller parking areas. Strollers must not impede guest traffic, aisles or stairwells.
    • Guests may bring chairbacks for use on the bleacher seating. Memorial Stadium will not have chairbacks available for rent.
    • Cameras are permitted, but camera cases are not allowed under the clear bag policy.
    • Exceptions will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection.
  • Students will be seated on the field. Guests will not be allowed on the field at any point during the commencement. You may meet your graduate outside the gates of Memorial Stadium at the conclusion of the ceremony
  • Representatives from the American Red Cross are present at UNL commencement. Locate stadium staff for assistance.
  • Concessions will be available for purchase during the ceremony.

Will Commencement Be Streamed Live?

  • Yes. For guests not able to join in person, commencement will be streamed live on the Commencement website.
  • The streaming will begin approximately 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the ceremony.

Inclement Weather

  • Rain or shine, the commencement ceremony will continue as planned. Dress accordingly as open umbrellas are not permitted in the stadium. If inclement weather arises making conditions too dangerous to proceed, the afternoon of Saturday, May 18 has been set aside as an alternate option for the undergraduate commencement ceremony. Exact start time will depend on the pattern of weather fronts. Any ceremony changes will be posted on the commencement website and media outlets by end of day Friday.

Health Safety Measures

  • The ceremony will comply with current campus and local health directives.
  • Face coverings are a helpful tool for reducing the spread of any illness, including the COVID-19 virus.

Parking

  • Download the parking map.
  • There are numerous lane closures in downtown Lincoln near Memorial Stadium. Guests should plan for congestion on those streets and allow ample time to arrive for Commencement. To help avoid commencement traffic and parking challenges, guests are urged to visit the City of Lincoln roads website or use the Waze mobile app.
  • Free city campus parking lots are open and available on Saturday, May 18. No parking permit required (except in those lots indicated on the map linked above).
  • Accessible parking is available near the stadium on a first-come, first-served basis. A permanent or temporary Nebraska or other state-issued disability placard is required.
  • Stadium Drive will be closed between T Street and V Street.
  • A drop-off area for accessible needs guests is located on the south side of Stadium Drive near Stadium Drive and T Street. See the parking map for location.
  • Paid parking is available at city Park&Go parking garages and metered street parking around Memorial Stadium.
  • To relieve congestion around the stadium, consider utilizing the 14th & Avery Garage.
  • If walking from the Haymarket, head north on 8th Street and turn right on “S” Street. Continue towards the stadium until you arrive at a walking path that connects to a crosswalk passing under I-180.

Photography

  • Every student crossing the stage during the ceremony will be photographed by GradImages Photography. Photographs will be available to view and order within one week after the ceremony. To order, go to the Grad Images website
  • For additional help, call GradImages customer service department at 800-261-2576 or email giservice@gradimages.net.
  • Pre-register before commencement to save on your commencement photos.

Pre-Order Flowers for Your Graduate

  • Pre-order flowers online for your graduate by 9 p.m. on Thursday, May 16.
  • All online orders will be available for pickup on-site the day of graduation. To retrieve your order, please stop by one of three booth locations at Memorial Stadium.
    • Outside Gate 10
    • Inside the west concourse, towards Gate 4
    • Inside the west concourse, towards Gate 10
  • If you are unable to pre-order, flowers will also be available for purchase on-site on Saturday, May 18.