2009 Commencement Information

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Northrop Memorial Auditorium, 84 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, on the East Bank of Campus. For more information to plan your visit see their website at: http://www.northrop.umn.edu
 

The Ceremony begins promptly at 10:00 a.m. and lasts approximately 2 hours with a champagne reception following on Northrop Terrace & Mall.
 

Students should plan to arrive at Northrop by 8:30 a.m.
 

Your class picture will be taken at 8:45 a.m. Please make every effort to arrive by 8:30 a.m. to get lined up and robed properly.

A separate picture will be taken of the LL.M. students at 9 a.m. following the J.D. class.

In case of inclement weather, the pictures will be taken on stage in Northrop.
 

Allow time for parking on the East Bank, there are several parking ramps, lots, & garages available near Northrop but the lines can be long. If you require handicapped parking, call 626-PARK for assistance. For directions and parking information see:
http://onestop.umn.edu/Maps/NMA/index.html
 

Chief Judge, U.S. District Court, Michael J. Davis ('72)

After the class picture and prior to entering Northrop Auditorium as a class, you will line up alphabetically and receive a notecard with your name on it. Present this card to the faculty member announcing the graduates when you approach the stage. Once your name is announced, walk across the stage, shake hands with the Dean and return to your seat. Remember to take 1 second to look at the camera in the orchestra pit during the handshake.

Graduates will be led by Dean Keyes promptly at 10:00 a.m. into Northrop Auditorium through the center doors to your reserved seats, and she will direct you when it is time to approach the stage.
 

Northrop has over 4,800 seats. Tickets are not necessary and there is no guest limit. The auditorium doors will open at 9:15 a.m. to the public. The elderly and handicapped individuals should plan to arrive early and enter through the east doors.
 

Cameras and video camera are welcome, but aisles cannot be blocked and no one is allowed in the orchestra pit. Video cameras are encouraged to set up in the balcony.
 

A champagne reception will immediately follow the ceremony on the Northrop Terrace and Mall. In case of inclement weather the reception will be held in the auditorium lobby and tent.
 

Cap & Gown orders
and delivery

The process for ordering your cap & gown as well as invitations, announcements, and diploma frames will be announced in early Spring Semester 2009. Delivery of your orders will be in May 7, 2009.
 

You must return your cap & gown to Herff-Jones after the reception. A table will be set up in the corner of Northrop lobby by the elevator.
 

Notecards with your name on them will be available at the Information Desk in mid-April until the last day of classes. If you would like to mark them noting a particular pronunciation of your name, please do so before May 15.
 

Student Graduation Party

Law School Reception for Graduates

On Friday, May 15, the Deans and the law faculty invite you and your family & friends to a reception in your honor. It will be held in Auerbauch Lounge from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Please RSVP to lawevent@umn.edu.

Student Awards Presentation

Graduation Reception at Eastcliff

Every year President Robert Bruininks and his wife, Susan Hagstrum, cordially invite you, a guest, and your family to a graduation reception with music and refreshments at Eastcliff.    View the invitation here.