Frequently Asked Questions

Commencement is a ceremony to celebrate your accomplishments with other graduates and your guests. Participation in commencement is not required and it does not mean that you have successfully completed your degree. You will not receive your diploma at the ceremony; it will be mailed after successful completion of degree requirements approximately six weeks after the end of the semester in which you graduate.

Participation in the ceremony should be in the same semester you complete your degree. However, students graduating in the summer may choose the prior spring ceremony, or the following midyear ceremony. 

If you are confirmed to attend a specific ceremony and find that you are unexpectedly delayed in your degree completion process, you may still participate in commencement and should notify the Graduate School at gradschool@mtu.edu.

Students may defer participation to a future ceremony:

• Fall semester graduates may choose from the current midyear ceremony, the following spring ceremony, or the following midyear ceremony.
• Spring graduates may choose from the current spring ceremony, the following midyear ceremony, or the following spring ceremony.

Deferrals beyond these options will not be granted.

Midyear—commencement includes Undergraduate students and Graduate students in one combined ceremony. It usually occurs on a Saturday in December and upcoming dates are listed on the academic calendar.

Spring—commencement is separated by level. Graduate students generally have a Friday ceremony before the Undergraduate ceremony on Saturday. Dates for both are listed on the academic calendar. 

A ceremonial diploma cover is given as part of the commencement ceremony. 

Your official diploma will be mailed based on your degree completion –  approximately six weeks after the end of the semester you complete your degree. This is separate from the commencement ceremony and may be in semester(s) before or after your commencement semester. You may receive your diploma without attending commencement. 

Diplomas are mailed to the address provided in your Graduation Application. Some choose to mail their diplomas to a trusted friend or colleague who has a permanent address, since your address may change in the six weeks following graduation. We are unable to allow in person collection and the diploma must be mailed.

Contact the Grad School to update your address. 

A name card includes the name information that you provided in the Graduation Application. This includes your printed name as you would like it to be read at commencement and the pronunciation guide you provided for reading your name out loud. 

Some name cards also include program information and/or supplemental cards for your program or department. You will receive your name cards at check-in and are expected to keep them with you during seating. Hand the card to the speaker at the podium. The speaker will read the card out loud as you cross the stage to receive your diploma cover. 

Please note: While minor edits are possible at commencement, we encourage you to give your correct pronunciation in the Graduation Application. If you have any changes after that, please confirm by emailing the Graduate School at gradschool@mtu.edu early to enable the speaker(s) to practice your name in advance. 

It’s important to us that we pronounce your name correctly at commencement. Therefore, we ask you to provide us with the names you want to be read and the phonetic spelling of your name (how it should be pronounced, as the names sound). This may mean the pronunciation is not the same spelling as your name, and that is fine - it will not be distributed anywhere and will only be seen by the reader. 

You will give this information as part of the Graduation Application. For any questions about this, contact our Graduate School at gradschool@mtu.edu.

Some examples include:

• Emily Nguyen (Emily Wiin)
• John Barowski (John Ba-rof-skee)
• Rami Jaffee (Rah-me Jaf-fee)
• Sean Boehme (Shawn Bame (like game))

• Graduates will stand in a line, either single file or two side-by-side, for the procession into the venue. Students will line-up after check-in in the Multipurpose room and process into the Wood Gym (midyear ceremony) or Ice Arena (spring ceremony).
• Graduates generally line-up by department, degree, and program. Look for seating charts and signage posted at the event (usually also emailed to you in advance).
• Know your place in line. Remember who is in front of you and who is behind you. Do not change places with another student.
• Make sure you keep track of your name card and keep that with you as you approach the stage.
• The processional begins promptly at the determined time; do not be late. Once the music begins, you cannot rejoin the line.

The processional is a group of students entering the venue to be seated. The group moves quietly in an orderly fashion in the order they will be seated for the ceremony. 

• General order: University Marshall, PhD students, Master’s students, Undergraduate students, faculty, and platform party

A recessional is the same group, orderly exiting the ceremony at the close of the event.

• General order: platform party, faculty, PhD students, Master’s students, and Undergraduate students

The hooding ceremony is a unique recognition of your doctoral degree. Each doctoral candidate is introduced individually on stage during the ceremony. Your advisor and college dean will present your doctoral hood. The hood will be on stage so you will not receive it with your regalia pick-up and do not need to carry it with you. Candidates stand facing the audience. Your hooders will place the hood on your shoulders by lifting it over your head. If your advisor is unavailable to participate, you may select another faculty member to participate in the hooding ceremony.

See the accommodations section of the commencement website for guests attending the ceremony.

 

Watch past ceremonies on the commencement archives page.

 

• Academic regalia
  • MS candidates – Cap, Gown, Tassel, and Hood
  • PhD candidates - Cap, Gown, and Tassel  (PhD candidates will receive their hood on stage)
• Comfortable and conservative attire.
• Comfortable shoes are recommended. You will be standing and walking up and down stairs.

Commencement is an enjoyable experience for many. Students have the opportunity to be celebrated with “Pomp and Circumstance” by their peers, faculty, and guests in attendance. You will receive a ceremonial, diploma cover during the ceremony.

We recommend you arrive at least 90 minutes prior to the ceremony start time to have enough time for parking, check-in, and line-up.

Report to the SDC Multipurpose Room for check-in. You’ll pick up your name card and then find your group for the procession line-up.

Before the Ceremony:

• Please arrive at least 90 minutes prior to the posted start time of the ceremony.
• Remember to bring your regalia and wear comfortable shoes.
• The ceremony will be videoed and photographed.
• Seating charts are emailed and posted in the venue. Find your name on the seating chart to know where to sit and the order to enter/exit. If you are receiving a PhD, make sure to connect with your advisor/ faculty hooder and check if there is anything you need to know from them. Generally they will be sitting near you - you can find them on the seating charts as well.

Once seated in the venue - Start of the ceremony:

• Before your degree level is recognized, you will be told to stand and proceed in line to the stage. A faculty marshal will lead you to the stage.
• When the person in front of you begins to cross the stage; pause at the top of the stairs (or ramp), hand your card to the reader, and wait for your name to be read before crossing the stage. Watch a short video of students crossing the stage.
• PhD Candidates - you will receive your hood on stage from the faculty hooder(s) you selected and/or college dean.
• Immediately after leaving the stage you will have the opportunity to have your photograph taken. Afterwards, continue back to your seat. Please do not leave the floor before the ceremony is complete.