The University of Texas at Austin

Graduation

Commencement Ceremony

gradcommencement

On Friday, May 18, parents, friends and family will congregate at The University of Texas at Austin to watch many engineering students graduate from the Cockrell School of Engineering.

Graduating another cohort of young engineers is a momentous occasion, and with a little organization and need-to-know information on the big event, the day will be smooth and seamless for students and their families.

Place

Frank C. Erwin Jr., Special Events Center – 1701 Red River

Date

Friday, May 18, 2012

Time

  • Candidates should arrive by 6:00 p.m. at the Red River entrance.
  • Ceremony begins promptly at 7:00 p.m.
  • The graduation ceremony will last approximately two hours.
  • Be prepared to remain for the entire ceremony.

Dress/Regalia

  • Students should wear business attire underneath their regalia.
  • Academic Regalia is required for all degree candidates and consists of a black robe, mortar board, bright orange tassel and bright orange stole.
  • A regalia package is available for purchase from the University Co-Op.
  • Please note that the appropriate tassel/stole color for the Cockrell School of Engineering is bright orange.
  • If you borrow regalia, please make sure that you also have or purchase the bright orange stole and tassel.
  • Only academic related additions to the regalia will be allowed (i.e. honor cords, honor society stoles, etc.)
  • Please do not bring any personal items such as purses, backpacks or coats.
  • There is no dress code for guests.

Special note about footwear: Be careful in choosing shoes to wear, as the ramps to and from the stage can be slick and are rather steep. It is recommended that high heels not be worn. No flip flops, please.

Tickets

  • No tickets are required.
  • The Frank Erwin Center has plenty of seating.
  • Note: Other colleges/schools may require tickets for their graduation ceremonies.

Invitations

Photography

  • During the ceremony, each degree candidate will cross the stage and be congratulated.
  • A professional photographer will be present.
  • Candidates will have the option of purchasing photographs, but there is no obligation to do so.

Parking

  • Parking is available in UT parking lots and UT parking garages.
  • For more information see the UT campus parking maps.
  • Additional parking may be found in State of Texas employee parking lots and garages near the Erwin Center.
  • Print a map of campus Visitor Parking areas.

Accessibility

Degree candidates: Please contact Pam Vrabel in the Engineering Student Affairs Office at 471-4321 if you need accommodations.

Guests: The Erwin Center is equipped for persons with mobility concerns. Persons needing assistance should enter through the Red River entrance where they will find convenient access to elevators and arrangements for wheelchair seating.

 

Fall 2011 Commencement

Fall 2011 keynote speech by Sara Ortwein

Cockrell School of Engineering Dean Gregory Fenves introduces Sara Ortwein, alumna and president of ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co., for the keynote speech at the Fall 2011 Commencement Ceremony.

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Download a printable PDF of Ortwein's speech.

Graduate School Commencement

Grad school graduation

Graduate students should refer to the Office of Graduate Studies Web page for information on requirements and deadlines for graduation.

Students who are graduating with a M.S., M.A. or Ph.D. in engineering this spring are invited to attend the Cockrell School ceremony, which will be held May 18 at 7 p.m. at the Frank Erwin Center. RSVP for the Cockrell School of Engineering commencement ceremony online. The deadline to have your name printed in the program is April 12. Please call 471-4321 for more information.

Graduating in the Summer 2012?

If you are an undergraduate potentially graduating in Summer 2012 and would like to participate in the Spring Commencement Ceremony, please register here. There is no summer commencement ceremony offered. Please call 471-4321 for more information.

The Ring Ceremony

Every year, the Cockrell School hosts the Order of the Engineer Ring Ceremony, where engineers publicly accept the "Obligation of an Engineer" and receive a stainless steel ring.

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