Commencement

Tickets

Tickets are not required for the commencement ceremony as graduates are not limited in the number of guests they may invite to celebrate with them.

Directions and Parking

Graduates and guests are encouraged to utilize the 4th Street ramp and Washington Avenue ramp. The Church Street garage has very limited public parking available on days with commencement ceremonies. Note that there is a passenger drop-off and pick-up area along Church Street with single level access into Northrop that can be used for those with mobility concerns.

For driving directions to campus, please utilize the University of Minnesota's Undergraduate Admissions page.

Accessible Accommodations

An ASL interpreter will be present during the ceremony. For seating information near the interpreter or other needs please contact us. 

Information for Graduates

Eligibility

Each School of Nursing program sets individual eligibility criteria for participation in commencement. Please consult your program handbook and/or academic advisor to confirm eligibility criteria. Eligible students will be prompted to submit information for the commencement program and RSVP information approximately two months prior to the commencement ceremony date.

Regalia

All students participating in the commencement ceremony are required to wear the regalia appropriate for their degree. Regalia is purchased or rented through the University Bookstore and can be ordered online. Those intending to purchase their regalia are strongly advised to order at least 8 weeks prior to the ceremony date to allow adequate time for delivery. Questions regarding regalia should be directed to the Bookstore staff.

Degree Conferral

Participation in commencement is a ceremonial recognition of degree conferral. Students must successfully complete all degree requirements for the degree to be officially conferred.

Please contact the Office of Student and Career Advancement Services at sonstudentinfo@umn.edu or (612) 625-7980) with questions.

Pinning ceremony

Steeped in history, the pinning ceremony is a nursing tradition that represents a symbolic welcoming of new graduates into the nursing profession. Each school of nursing designs its own customized pin.

The University of Minnesota School of Nursing pin has been in use since 1913 and displays the symbols of this proud heritage.

Commencement ceremony pin

What the symbols represent

  • The four dimensions of a baccalaureate education
    • An antique lamp represents the metaphysical dimension
    • A telescope represents the physical sciences
    • A plow represents the industrial arts
    • An artist’s palette represents the fine arts
  • The cross of St. George represents unselfish service.

Thank you to the School of Nursing Alumni Society and the generous donors to the Nursing Legacy Fund that provide the pins.

Videos from Fall 2023 commencement

Watch the full Fall 2023 commencement ceremony.

Caroline Njau, MBA, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, chief nursing officer and senior vice president of Patient Care Services at Children's Minnesota, delivered the commencement address.

Don Waldo, BS, spoke on behalf of Master of Nursing graduates.

Jennifer Reece, BA, spoke on behalf of the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality and Healing graduates.