Hooding Ceremony

The College will recognize the special accomplishments of all graduating master's and doctoral candidates through a graduate hooding ceremony held during Commencement weekend. Following a centuries-old tradition, master's and doctoral candidates will be formally hooded by their respective faculty. The College president, provost, and deans will each deliver graduation messages. A reception in the McHenry Lobby, Whalen Center will follow the program. All family and friends of graduate students are cordially invited to attend the ceremony and reception.

The ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 19, at 2:30 p.m. in Ben Light Gymnasium in the Hill Center. Graduate students will have marked reserved seating in the front, according to academic program. As programs are called, students will approach the stage, hand an information card to the graduate associate dean (provided by the graduate office), and proceed across the stage to be hooded by their graduate chair and dean. A College photographer will take a photograph of each student with his or her chair and dean, which will be mailed to the student. A reception will follow.

Please attend our hooding ceremony wearing academic regalia, excluding the cap, and bring your purchased hood. The ceremony will provide honorary significance to the wearing of the hood at the College-wide Commencement the following day. All master's and doctoral degrees will be officially conferred at the College ceremony on Sunday, May 20, and all graduate students are encouraged to attend this significant event. Graduate students may pick up their diploma covers at the respective school-specific locations following the College-wide Commencement.