UW Plans Three Commencement Ceremonies May 12

For the first time in many years, academic colleges of the University of Wyoming will combine spring commencement ceremonies in May.

Instead of individual colleges holding their own ceremonies scattered over two days, there will be three combined ceremonies Saturday, May 12, all at UW’s newly renovated Arena-Auditorium.

The first, set for 8:30 a.m., is for students graduating from the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Education and the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources.

The second, starting at noon, is for all UW graduate students.

The third, beginning at 3:30 p.m., is for students graduating from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the College of Business, the College of Engineering and Applied Science, the College of Health Sciences and the School of Energy Resources.

UW’s College of Law will continue to hold its own commencement ceremony, as is traditional with law schools nationally.

The move to three main combined ceremonies, recommended by UW’s Commencement Planning Task Force, is expected to save the university about $200,000 annually while providing the best possible venue to celebrate graduates’ accomplishments.

Each ceremony is scheduled to last about two hours, featuring a keynote speaker, student speaker, reading of all graduates’ names and presentation of diplomas to each. The ceremonies will be broadcast live via UW’s WyoCast system.

Honorary degree recipients will be honored at the undergraduate ceremonies.

Meanwhile, the University of Wyoming at Casper, which for many years has had its own commencement ceremony, is instead moving to a more intimate “Celebration of Excellence” that will take place 4 p.m. Thursday, May 10, at the Nicolaysen Art Museum. The event will feature graduating UW-Casper students as guests of honor, and diplomas will be awarded there.

UW’s Commencement Planning Task Force included representatives of several academic units, the Division of Student Affairs, the Associated Students of UW, the Faculty Senate, the UW Alumni Association, the Department of Athletics and the Office of the President.