Commencement

A UNIVERSITY-WIDE CELEBRATION

While “commencement,” “convocation,” and “celebration” are different types of graduation ceremonies, all involve recognizing the achievements of graduating Wildcats. Commencement includes an address from the University President, a guest keynote speaker, the conferring of degrees, and awarding of honorary degrees and student awards.

2019 SPEAKER

Dr. Mae C. Jemison | NASA

Dr. Mae C. Jemison, engineer, physician, entrepreneur, educator and the first woman of color to travel into space, will give the keynote address at the University of Arizona's 155th Commencement on May 10.

Jemison is at the forefront of integrating the physical and social sciences with art and culture to solve problems and foster innovation. Among other projects, Jemison currently leads 100 Year Starship, a bold, far-reaching nonprofit initiative to assure the capabilities exist for human travel beyond our solar system to another star within the next 100 years. Jemison is building a multi-faceted global community to foster committed cultural, scientific, social, financial and technical engagement, as well as the framework to accomplish the 100 Year Starship vision – "An Inclusive, Audacious Journey (that) Transforms Life Here on Earth and Beyond."

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IT TAKES APPROXIMATELY

5 DAYS load-in

and setup time for Commencement

AND A PRODUCTION CREW

24 hours

to load-out after Commencement

AFTER HOSTING MORE THAN

35,000 guests

and 5,000 graduating students