The University of Chicago Convocation
The 537th Convocation, during which degrees are officially conferred to all graduates, will be held on the Main Quadrangle on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 9:15 a.m. CDT.
This is a University-wide ceremony involving degree candidates from all divisions and schools. It will include the presentation of honorary degrees and an address from the Convocation speaker. Convocation Addresses consistently focus on the pursuit of knowledge and the power of ideas. The University president, A. Paul Alivisatos, will verbally confer degrees on candidates by division and school. Each division and school will host a separate ceremony where degree candidates will be honored individually through the presentation of diplomas or hoods.
Graduate Divisions and Schools
Candidate Lineup Directions for Graduate Divisions and Schools
Arrival: 8:00 a.m.-8:45 a.m.
Procession begins: 9:00 a.m.
Candidate Entrance ONLY: 1116 E. 59th Street
- If coming by ride share, recommed drop off location is Woodlawn and E. 59th Street and then walk west down 59th Street to Harper Memorial Library entrance.
- You will walk through the building and be directed to enter into Harper Quadrangle.
- Once inside Harper Quadrangle please locate your division and school within the East and West lineup tents.
- Be dressed in academic regalia.
The College
Candidate Lineup Directions for The College
Arrival: 8:00 a.m.-8:45 a.m.
Procession begins: 9:00 a.m.
Candidate Entrances ONLY: If coming by ride share, recommended drop off locations are 1100 E. 56th Street or 1131 E. 57th Street.
- Once dropped off, please enter into Bartlett Quad where you will line-up for the procession.
- Be dressed in academic regalia.
Graduate Divisions and Schools
Each division and school will hold their own ceremony. Depending on the division or school in which you are graduating from, ceremonies will take place beginning on Friday, June 2 through Sunday, June 4, 2023. For a list of individual unit ceremonies, please visit the 537th Convocation Schedule of Ceremonies page.
The College (Undergraduates)
Following the University-wide Convocation ceremony, graduates of the College and their guests break off to attend both a lunch and diploma ceremony that is pre-assigned by their residence hall. These lunch distributions and ceremonies all take place simultaneously in various locations throughout campus, and are followed by a reception. Please see below for a schedule of events for the College following the University-wide ceremony:
- 11:00 a.m. – Noon | Lunch distribution at ceremony sites.
- Noon | All graduates line up for processions.
- 12:15 p.m. | All guests are requested to be in their seats.
- 12:30 p.m. | Diploma ceremonies begin; receptions to follow.
For more information regarding the College diploma ceremonies, please contact seniors@uchicago.edu.
A visitor’s decision to be present on campus and/or in University facilities serves as their acknowledgment and acceptance of the potential risks posed to them by COVID-19.
