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Frequently Asked Questions

What if my question is not answered on this page?

Please ask! We’ll be happy to answer you and to update this page with information that’s important to know. You can email your question to engracademicdean@engr.wisc.edu with the subject line, “Engineering graduate recognition event question,” and we’ll respond quickly.

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About the event

The College of Engineering Graduate Recognition event is May 10, 2025 at the Kohl Center. Doors open at 4 p.m.; the ceremony begins at 5 p.m. sharp and will conclude no later than 7:30 p.m. Graduates will process as a group onto the Kohl Center floor for the event; all graduates must be in the lower level of the Kohl Center by 4:30 p.m. to line up, by department and degree, for this processional. We may not be able to accommodate late arrivals. Please note that everyone who enters the Kohl Center will be subject to screening. For more information, see the UW Athletics carry-in policy. Graduates are expected to stay for the entire event.

The College of Engineering event is a formal event where graduating engineers at all levels will march across the stage in the company of their peers, have their name read, shake hands with college and department or program leaders, receive their red diploma cover, and have a graduation photo taken.

The campus-level Camp Randall event is for UW-Madison bachelor’s and master’s candidates. The Chancellor will confer degrees and recognize graduates by program; however, they will not walk across a stage and have their names read.

The UW-Madison ceremony for doctoral and professional degree candidates is May 9, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Kohl Center. We encourage all engineering doctoral and professional degree candidates to attend the College of Engineering ceremony, as well.

Tickets are not required, as the Kohl Center has ample space for all guests. We do ask that students who intend to participate in the engineering event register.

The Kohl Center has ample space for as many guests as you would like to attend. Tickets are not required; however, we do ask that students who intend to participate in the engineering event to register.

The event will begin at 5 p.m. and conclude no later than 7:30 p.m. Graduates are expected to stay for the entire event and will not be allowed to leave the Kohl Center floor early.

No, however it is advised to arrive at the Kohl Center early. Graduates will enter through the student entrance, located between Gates A and B of the Kohl Center. Graduates will process as a group onto the Kohl Center floor for the event; all graduates must be in the lower level of the Kohl Center by 4:30 p.m. to line up, by department and degree, for this processional.

All degree candidates will be seated, by department or program and degree level, on the Kohl Center floor.

Yes. We will recognize all graduates individually as they walk across the stage.

Yes. Graduates will walk across the stage in the company of students from their major and degree level.

The Kohl Center will open at 4 p.m. All graduates must be in the lower level of the Kohl Center by 4:30 p.m. to line up, by degree and department, for the processional. Note: We may not be able to accommodate late arrivals.

All graduates and guests can enter through Gate A of the Kohl Center.

The College of Engineering may offer light refreshments for engineering graduates and/or their guests.

There are many options! Go to the transportation and parking page for detailed information about where to park and how to get around campus.

The event will be fully accessible. Guests do not need to register ahead of time for accessible seating. At the Kohl Center, drop-off service and accessible seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for individuals with disabilities or older guests. Guests needing assistance once they arrive at the Kohl Center can call (608)-263-5645 for a wheelchair escort. The seating structure provides one companion seat for each accessible seat, and we ask that guests respect these guidelines so that everyone in need of accessible seating can be accommodated.

Additionally, for people with limited mobility, the top two rows in each section of the 100 level of the Kohl Center are “easier-access” seating. Those seats require guests with limited mobility to navigate only one or two steps. We recommend those people who are able to walk up or down a few steps sit in those rows so that we are able to provide additional space on the ADA platforms for people who are unable to navigate steps.

If you have questions or need more information about accessibility at the Kohl Center, call (608) 263-5645, or visit the UW-Madison Kohl Center Accessibility page.

Accessible parking at the Kohl Center is limited. Please note that disabled plates and cards are required to secure space in lots reserved for accessible commencement parking.

The accessible drop-off location for the Kohl Center is on Dayton Street directly in front of the building at Gate A. There will be golf carts services assisting people from drop-off locations and nearby lots to the entrances. Anyone in need of wheelchair services can contact Guest Services at (608) 263-5645 on the day of the ceremony.

Learn more about all of your parking and drop-off options on the UW-Madison Kohl Center Accessibility page.

Yes, captioning will be provided.

The event will not be live-streamed, but will be recorded and posted to the College of Engineering YouTube channel in the week following the event. Additionally, your family and friends are welcome to photograph and/or videotape the event.

For graduating engineers

Students who are graduating with bachelor’s, master’s, PhD or other professional engineering degrees are welcome to take part in the College of Engineering event. Students who have completed degree requirements in December 2024 or May 2025 or who anticipate completing degree requirements in August or December 2025 may participate.

If you would like to participate in the College of Engineering event, register here. 

You must be signed into your UW Google Account to access the registration. 

The College of Engineering event is a formal event and cap and gown are required. View the University Book Store’s timeline for ordering a cap and gown. Students who attend without a cap and gown will not be allowed to participate in the event on the Kohl Center floor. Graduates also must be wearing appropriate footwear (e.g., flip-flops are not allowed), as well as attire under their gown, or they will be asked to leave the event. Students also may wear stoles (for example, from campus entities).

All graduates will be seated on the floor of the Kohl Center by department or program and degree. However, graduates first will process as a group onto the Kohl Center floor for the event; all graduates must be in the lower level of the Kohl Center by 4:30 p.m. to line up, by department and degree, for this processional. You must be on time; we may not be able to accommodate late arrivals. Note that access to the floor of the Kohl Center is restricted to graduates and event officials. Parents and guests are not permitted access to the Kohl Center floor.

Yes. You will walk across the stage in the company of students from your major and degree level.

If you have applied for graduation through the student center in My UW or if you have registered for this event by Friday, April 11, we will include you in the College of Engineering Graduate Recognition event program, provided you do not have FERPA restrictions on the release of your information. (See the following question; to be included in the engineering program, you must authorize release of your name.) If you register after April 11, we may not be able to include your name in the program.

You can locate this information in your student center in MyUW by following these instructions.

If you do have this restriction but would like your name printed in the program, when you register for the College of Engineering event, you can click the bubble next to “Yes; however I do have FERPA restrictions on my personal information and agree to waive them so my name will appear in the program.” You’ll find this choice on the registration form, which asks, “Would you like your name printed in the engineering graduate recognition event program?”

Yes. You will provide your name to our name readers just prior to walking across the stage.

Yes. You will have a professional graduation photo taken as you exit the stage.

BS, ME and MS graduates will receive your red diploma cover when you walk across the stage. You will not receive it when you pick up your cap and gown in the University Book Store. If you do not plan to attend the engineering event, you can pick up a diploma cover from the UW-Madison Office of the Registrar.

The Kohl Center will open at 4 p.m. All graduates must be in the lower level of the Kohl Center by 4:30 p.m. to line up, by department and degree, for the processional. You must be on time; we may not be able to accommodate late arrivals.

Graduates will enter the Kohl Center through a special student entrance. That entrance is located between Gates A and B, and you can look for volunteers to help you find it.

Visit the Office of the Registrar’s website for information about assessing eligibility for graduation. Undergraduate students should also review their DARS and consult with their academic advisor about their eligibility to graduate.

Your attendance is completely voluntary; the university will mail your diploma several weeks after commencement, and choosing to bypass any graduation ceremony will not affect your graduation status. However, given the event’s special significance for you and your families and friends, we encourage you to participate.

For graduates planning to participate in both events

There are many options! Go to the transportation and parking page for detailed information about where to park and how to get around campus.

For the Camp Randall Stadium ceremony, College of Engineering graduates will sit together in the stadium. Look for more information about best places for your family and friends to sit.

Many engineering departments will host luncheons between the Camp Randall ceremony and the College of Engineering graduate recognition event at the Kohl Center. Please check with your department for more information.