UC Celebrates Spring Graduates

The University of Cincinnati will confer 6,317 degrees to 6,171 students during its spring Commencement ceremonies April 29. 

All ceremonies will be held in Nippert Stadium — the first time since 1984 at what was previously the longtime Commencement venue. The stadium opens 90 minutes prior to each ceremony. Immediately following each ceremony, the Commencement Office and the UC Alumni Association host a reception for all graduates and guests on Sheakley Lawn.

Doctoral Hooding and Master’s Recognition Ceremony 

9 a.m. Saturday, April 29 

Graduates check in across from the Campus Recreation Center Circle near the engineering building. Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. and check-in closes promptly at 8:15 a.m. 

Commencement Ceremony (undergrads only)

2 p.m. Saturday, April 29 

Graduates check in across from the Campus Recreation Center Circle near to the engineering building. Check-in begins at 12:30 p.m. and closes promptly at 1:15 p.m. 

ABOUT THE GRADUATES 

• Record participation is anticipated for Saturday’s ceremonies, based on a 16.5 percent increase in Commencement RSVPs.
  
  
• Students from the April 2017 graduating class hail from 48 states and 51 countries.
  
  
• The degree breakdown is as follows: 557 associate degrees; 3,838 bachelor’s degrees; 1,421 master’s degrees; 274 doctoral degrees and 227 professional degrees.
  
  
• STEMM degrees will be awarded to 38.9 percent of graduates.
  
  
• Nearly 16 percent of graduates — 969 students — are first-generation college students.
  
  
• The average age of all graduates is 26, with students ranging from 18 to 73 years old.
  
  
• Number of those receiving Latin honors: 269 summa cum laude (GPA between 3.9 and a perfect 4.0); 424 magna cum laude (GPA between 3.75 and 3.899); 550 cum laude (GPA between 3.6 and 3.749).  

CEREMONY DETAILS 

Each graduating student will be able to invite up to six guests. No tickets will be needed to attend the ceremony. Seating is general admission; first come, first seated.  

For families with small children and individuals with limited mobility, the ceremony will be livestreamed at the TUC Cinema as well as online. Other special accommodations, including shuttle services, will also be available. 

The campus map contains details about the ceremonies, check-in, parking, dining and more. 

Questions about Commencement? Read these FAQs. Further information is available on the Commencement website. 

GETTING TO UC 

Details on how to get to UC.  

Free parking is available on the day of Commencement in all parking garages on UC's West Campus except Varsity Village Garage. There is overflow parking available on the Medical Campus in the Eden Garage at 3223 Eden Ave. Shuttle service will be available. 

HONORARY DEGREES 

UC will bestow two honorary doctorates, its highest award, during the December commencement ceremonies. Former UC president and current Chancellor of the State University of New York Nancy Zimpher will receive an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. UC alumnus and sports broadcaster Lewis Johnson will receive an Honorary Doctor of Letters.

READ MORE 

Top undergraduate and graduate students will be honored with the Presidential Leadership Medal of Excellence awards and the Presidential Medal of Graduate Student Excellence awards at the spring ceremonies.