Event Details

2024 Commencement Ceremony

Thursday, May 9, 2024
3:00 PM
Northrop Auditorium

The College of Design's 2024 Commencement Ceremony is for design undergraduate and graduate students. This year's speaker is Hilal Ibrahim, founder of Henna & Hijabs (H&H), which created the first-ever line of hospital hijabs in the United States.

Watch the ceremony live

College of Design Commencement Communications

Student and guests celebrating commencement

2024 Celebration Events

The Send Off

Wednesday, May 1
4:30–6:30 PM
McNamara Alumni Center

Celebrate your achievements at the Send Off, a fun, festive, and FREE event hosted by the University of Minnesota Alumni Association!

Register for The Send Off

MCAE Celebration of Achievement

Wednesday, May 1
4:30–6:30 PM
McNamara Alumni Center

The Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence's (MCAE) annual Celebration of Achievement is a graduation celebration that brings together undergraduate, graduate, and professional students who have been a part of the MCAE community and recognizes their accomplishments and achievements by gifting graduates an MCAE stole to wear for commemorative photos or during their formal college graduation ceremony.

Register for the Celebration of Achievement

DESIGN JUSTICE | BIPOC + Queer Graduation Recognition Event

Wednesday, May 8

The College of Design's Design Justice Initiative is hosting an intentional space for graduating Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and/or queer-identified (LGBTQIA2S+) persons within the College of Design, their loved ones, and staff/faculty who hold these identities! Learn more and register to attend by Wednesday, May 1. 

Register for the Design Justice Celebration

Commencement FAQs

Collected below are frequently asked questions related to the College of Design's Commencement Ceremony. If you are unable to find an answer to your question in our FAQs please reach out to [email protected].

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Who is the 2024 Commencement speaker?

Hilal Ibrahim

Hilal Ibrahim is the founder of Henna & Hijabs. Ibrahim was born in Southern California and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For her, faith, healthcare, and beauty is a common thread that links H&H to the world of fashion. Hilal says that much of her inspiration is derived from her Islamic values: “We’re taught to be humble and be kind, but also to be beautiful inside and out. Sometimes society tells us that we can’t be beautiful in a hijab. I want to say to women, ‘You are beautiful because you are wearing a hijab, not despite it.’” As a Muslim-American she is proud of where she comes from and is inspired to make a positive shift in fashion. “You don't need to change who you are to fit in.” She says. “I am here to make room for modest fashion at the table.” 

Who will be invited to the 2024 College of Design Commencement?

  • Students who have formally declared a) a College of Design undergraduate degree b) a College of Design graduate degree c) are pursuing a second major within the College of Design AND
  • Have an Expected Graduation Term (EGT) of Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Summer 2024, or Fall 2024.

Note: The printed program will include all students who are invited to the ceremony, regardless of whether or not they attend.

How and when will I be invited to Commencement?

College of Design students received an invitation on Monday, March 11 via their U of M email address. Students need to fill out the survey embedded within their email invitation to RSVP for the ceremony.

When will I be able to request tickets for Commencement?

Ticket requests need to be made through the RSVP survey that was emailed directly to graduating students' U of M inboxes on Monday, March 11. The deadline to RSVP and request tickets for Commencement is Monday, April 8.
 

How many tickets can I request for Commencement?

Each student who RSVPs by the Monday, April 8 deadline can request up to 6 tickets. Graduating students do not need a ticket for themselves.

We cannot guarantee that tickets will be available for those who do not take the survey by the deadline. In late April, the college will open up any remaining tickets for graduates to request more on a first-come, first-served basis. Graduating students will be sent a separate email and survey link to request additional tickets once they open.

Where can I get regalia?

Regalia is not required to attend Commencement but if you would like to wear a cape and gown you can order both at the University Bookstore in Coffman Memorial Union.

How do I get to Northrop Auditorium?

Northrop Auditorium is located on the Twin Cities’ East Bank Campus. The official address is 84 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455. Find it on the campus map.

Where should I park?

Please remind your friends and family to leave plenty of time to arrive and find parking on campus. We suggest you explore all University parking options and plan ahead. 

For individuals with mobility concerns, Northrop has several accessible entrances and an accessible drop-off and pick-up location on its east side.

Can photos be taken during Commencement?

GradImages will attend the College of Design Celebration and will be taking photographs of each graduate. They will send you color proofs via your U of M email and, if you decide to purchase copies of your photo, the proofs will be mailed within a week of the ceremony.

Guests are encouraged to relax in their seats and limit their personal picture-taking to before or after the ceremony.

Will Commencement be live-streamed?

Yes! The College of Design Commencement will be live-streamed at z.umn.edu/2024designcommencement 

How will academic achievements be recognized? (e.g., Latin Honors, Distinction, honor cords)

If you are an undergraduate student graduating with a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or above, and/or if you are completing the honors program, please be sure to note that on the online survey you received in March.

  • If you graduate with an overall GPA of 3.750 – 3.889, you will earn a level of Distinction.
  • If you graduate with an overall GPA of 3.900 or higher, you will earn a level of High Distinction.
  • Latin Honors: for students participating in the University Honors Program (UHP).

 

A notation will be included next to your name in the printed program.

When will I receive my diploma?

Most students receive their diplomas two to three months after completing their degree requirements. For diplomas sent to an international address delivery may take an additional two to three months longer. Be sure to contact your advisor if you have questions or concerns about completing your degree requirements.

Where can I watch last year's Commencement?

You can watch previous College of Design Commencement Ceremonies on the College of Design YouTube page.