Commencement

Registration opens on Monday, March 20^th.  We will provide the registration link here on March 20^th.  Students will have through Friday, May 5^th to submit their registration. 

Eligible graduates may order regalia through the DU Bookstore beginning on April 10^th.  Please click here on or after April 10^th to place your order.  Regalia may be picked up at the DU Bookstore beginning on May 4^th. 

No, guest tickets for the ceremonies on Friday, June 9^th are not required.

Graduates may request up to five tickets.

Immediately after registering, graduates will receive an email confirmation.  A pdf with a single QR code will be attached to the email confirmation.  Graduates can then distribute that QR code directly to their guests.  

The QR code for all guests of a particular graduate is the same, and the system will permit entry for the specific number requested by that graduate.  For instance, if a graduate requests 5 tickets, then that QR code can be scanned five times.  If a 6^th person presents the QR code for scanning, it will be rejected.

Guests may either save an image of the QR code on their phone or print the pdf with the QR code.  Graduates themselves do not need a ticket.

Parking around the Ritchie Center will be open and available to graduates and their guests.  Parking for commencement is complimentary. 

Please wear your academic regalia to the Ritchie Center.  Please do not bring bags or purses; there is no place to store items during the ceremonies.   

Please be in touch with the Disability Services Program at (303) 871-3241 or dsp@du.edu.

Please arrive at least one hour prior to your ceremony time. Graduates must enter the building through Hamilton Gymnasium, at the northwest doors adjacent to the Barton Lacrosse Field.  Graduates will be checked in by staff from the Registrar’s Office.  Doors to Hamilton will open one and half hours prior to the ceremony.

Each ceremony will last approximately 2 hours.  A University Reception, with light food and beverages, will be held outside of the Ritchie Center following each ceremony.

For guests attending the Crimson Graduate Commencement Ceremony on Friday, June 9^th at 9:30 a.m., we recommend a lunch reservation at 1:00 p.m.

For guests attending the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, June 10^th at 9:30 a.m., we recommend a lunch reservation at 1:30 p.m.

After the ceremonies end graduates and their guests can have time to take photos, enjoy the University Reception, and then travel away from campus for lunch.  There is a great deal of pedestrian and vehicular traffic around the Ritchie Center on graduation days, so please give yourself enough time. 

Please visit the DU Bookstore here.

A professional photography team will capture two photos of all graduates, both a formal portrait and a photo of the graduate walking across the stage.  Proofs will be emailed to graduates approximately one month after commencement. 

Doctoral students will receive their diplomas at the graduation ceremony.  The Office of the Registrar will mail diplomas for Masters and Bachelors students in mid-summer.  Please be sure that your preferred address is updated with DU. 

We are so proud of our graduates and delight in their accomplishments.  We hope that graduates and their guests have a wonderful time celebrating together on campus.  Please contact us if you have other concerns or questions, or if we may be of further assistance.  Congratulations to the Class of 2023! 

Parking around the Ritchie Center will be open and available to graduates and their guests.  Parking for commencement is complimentary. 

No, guest tickets for the ceremonies on Friday, June 9^th are not required.

All tickets are distributed directly to graduates.  Graduates may request up to five tickets, and they themselves do not need a ticket.

After students register for graduation, they will receive an email confirmation.  A pdf with a single QR code will be attached to the graduate’s email confirmation.  Graduates can then distribute that QR code directly to their guests.  

The QR code for all guests of a particular graduate is the same, and the system will permit entry for the specific number requested by that graduate.  For instance, if a graduate requests 5 tickets, then that QR code can be scanned five times.  If a 6^th person presents the QR code for scanning, it will be rejected.

Guests may either save an image of the QR code on their phone or print the pdf with the QR code. 

Guests aged two years and older require a ticket. 

The drop-off entrance for guests with mobility needs is on the north side of the Ritchie Center, off of Buchtel Blvd.  Guests with mobility needs can then take the elevator up to the main floor of the Ritchie Center.  The ADA sections in Magness Arena for guests are Sections 4, 8, 14, and 18.  For additional disability-related accommodation requests for guests, please contact Office of the ADA Coordinator at 303-871-3941 or ADA.Coordinator@du.edu.

All ceremonies are live captioned.  Additionally, interpreters will be available at Section 18.

Doors will open one hour prior to the start of each ceremony. 

All guest seating is General Admission.  There is no assigned seating. 

Each ceremony will last approximately 2 hours.  A University Reception, with light food and beverages, will be held outside of the Ritchie Center following each ceremony.

For guests attending the Crimson Graduate Commencement Ceremony on Friday, June 9^th at 9:30 a.m., we recommend a lunch reservation at 1:00 p.m.

For guests attending the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, June 10^th at 9:30 a.m., we recommend a lunch reservation at 1:30 p.m.

After the ceremonies end graduates and their guests can have time to take photos, enjoy the University Reception, and then travel away from campus for lunch.  There is a great deal of pedestrian and vehicular traffic around the Ritchie Center on graduation days, so please give yourself enough time. 

Water will be available on the Ritchie Center concourse, but no food or drinks are permitted inside of Magness Arena. 

Please visit the DU Bookstore here.

Yes, all ceremonies will be live streamed from the DU website. 

We are so proud of our graduates and delight in their accomplishments.  We hope that graduates and their guests have a wonderful time celebrating together on campus.  Please contact us if you have other concerns or questions, or if we may be of further assistance.  Congratulations to the Class of 2023!