The University Ph.D. Recognition Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at Barton Hall.
At this event, we celebrate and recognize the significant achievements of doctoral Ph.D., JSD, and DMA graduates from August ’25, December ’25, and expected May ’26 and August ’26 graduates. This special ceremony is held for all doctoral candidates to be individually recognized on stage and welcomed into the academy of scholars. Ph.D. candidates and their families, friends, and faculty members are invited to attend. A reception with light refreshments will immediately follow the ceremony.
Please check back in November 2025 for details about the 2026 Ph.D. Recognition Ceremony.
Ph.D. candidates
Doctoral regalia must be worn by Ph.D. degree candidates. An outfit will include a Ph.D. robe, Ph.D. hood, soft tam, and gold tassel. You should wear your Ph.D. regalia at the Ph.D. Ceremony on Friday, Commencement on Saturday, and your college or field ceremony during the weekend. It is not necessary to wait until your degree is finalized.
To Participate in the Ph.D. Ceremony
Ph.D. candidates must register by Thursday, April 23, to participate in the PhD event and either of the University Commencement Ceremonies indicating number of guests attending.
Registration willl open by early February, to attend.
“Walking early” is permitted, so candidates may participate in the Ph.D. Ceremony prior to their degree being finalized. Must regsiter at the link above as well.
Arrival Times
Families
5:00 p.m. Doors open for guests, no tickets are needed
Candidates
5:00-5:45 p.m. Arrive, receive name card, assemble by 5:45 p.m. for procession
Faculty
5:30-5:45 p.m. Arrive, assemble by 5:45 p.m. for procession
All participants of the academic procession should be inside Barton Hall and lined in place by 5:45 p.m. The program begins promptly at 6:00 p.m. as music begins and the University Marshal leads the formal procession of candidates, faculty, trustees, deans, provost, and president.
All PhD candidates will walk across the stage as each name is read, during the ceremony. When the ceremony concludes, an informal reception will follow inside Barton. All are welcome to enjoy refreshments at the reception until 8:00 pm.
Ceremony Instructions and Schedule for PhD Candidates
5:00-5:45 pm
Arrive at Barton Hall wearing cap & gown, and hood. Report to alphabetic tables along the red curtain to receive a name card for the reader to announce your name and field of study during the ceremony. Carefully proofread all information on the card and make changes, if necessary. Volunteers and Graduate School staff will be there to distribute name cards, assist with regalia, and lining up for the procession.
5:45 pm
Must be in place to participate in the procession.
6:00 pm
Procession in Barton Hall begins the ceremony.
7:30 pm
Ceremony concludes. A reception in Barton Hall will follow the ceremony.
PhD candidates are encouraged to invite special committee faculty members to this event. Invited faculty may participate by walking in the formal procession wearing academic regalia and be seated in the faculty area located near the front of the stage. Faculty planning to attend as a guest, not walking in the procession, may sit in guest seating areas and do not need to wear regalia. All faculty are welcome to enjoy the reception immediately following the ceremony.
The 2025 PhD Procession and Ceremony was livestreamed on Friday, May 23, 2025. Enjoy watching what the event will be like in May of 2026.
Campus roads around Barton Hall will be open so guests may park in spaces near Barton Hall, including Hoy Parking Garage, Crescent Lot and other nearby lots.
Accessible Entrance and Passenger Unloading:To avoid stairs, enter Barton Hall from the main entrance located on the Garden Avenue side, not from the Statler Hotel side. Courtesy wheelchair shuttles from the Garden Avenue entrance will be available to transport guests from the entrance to seating areas, if needed.
Wheelchairs/Walkers and Floor Seating: Floor seating is available in Barton Hall and does not need to be requested in advance. Guests with wheelchairs and walkers will be able to sit with other family members in general seating without requiring a separate or reserved location. However, early arrival offers best chance for the entire party to find seats together in floor seating (doors open at 5:00).
Professional photographs are taken of PhD candidates after they walk across the stage. Within two weeks following the ceremony, candidates will receive an email from Grad Images, offering an option to view and purchase photographs.
For photo questions from the 2025 event, please contact Grad Images at 800-261-2576 or giservice@gradimages.net.
There are no tickets for this event. However we strongly encourage 4 guests per graduate.
