Convocation
Convocation 2025: Ceremony and Reception
The Illinois School of Architecture Convocation Ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 18 in the Foellinger Auditorium. Convocation will begin at 9:30 a.m. when the graduates march into the auditorium and will last approximately 1½ hours. Graduates should arrive at the Foreign Languages Building promptly at 8:00 a.m. to line-up. At this time information about the procession, professional photographs, etc. will be presented. It is very important that you arrive on time.
Arrangements for Guests with Special Needs
Guests who are unable to climb stairs will need to arrive by 8:30 a.m. to ensure main floor seating. Guests who have special needs (wheelchair, sight or auditory needs, etc.) should contact Terry Dederich, Foellinger Auditorium Manager, at dederich@illinois.edu, and he will help with any seating arrangements. Be prepared to give him the name of the ceremony you are attending, type of need, and the total number of guests in your party.
Reception and University Commencement
A reception for you and your family and friends will be held immediately following Convocation in Temple Hoyne Buell Hall. This is an opportunity for the graduates to celebrate the occasion with their faculty, families, and friends.
All graduates are also invited to participate in the University-wide Commencement ceremony which will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 17 at Memorial Stadium. You may register for this ceremony at https://go.illinois.edu/register4commencement. Visit commencement.illinois.edu for more details concerning this ceremony.
Photography and Videography During the Ceremony
Professional photographs will be taken by GradImages. GradImages will send your graduation images directly to you for purchase. To receive your photos, you need to provide the necessary information on the reader card when you pick up your Convocation tickets. Failure to complete the card information may result in you not receiving your photos.
Cap and Gown Information
Order caps and gowns at: herff.ly/illinois. Be sure to specify FAA-Architecture as your college, otherwise you will receive the wrong color tassel. Tassels for the BS in Architectural Studies degree should be violet. The tassel color for graduate students is black. The hood color for the Master of Architecture degree is violet. The hood color for the Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture is blue.
The last day to order caps and gowns at early discount pricing is April 9, 2025, until 10:59 p.m. CT. Regular pricing begins April 10-April 25, 2025. Thursday, April 25, 2025 is the last day to place an online order. All orders placed April 10-April 25, 2025 will be shipped 2nd Day Air to ensure delivery. Payment by credit card is due when you place your order.
The last day to cancel an order is April 25, 2025. To cancel, contact Patty Storie of Herff Jones at 314-369-6668 or pattystorie@att.net. There are no online cancellations.
All cap and gown orders are shipped to your home. There is a shipping charge. They are still rented and must be returned via the return shipping label.
Convocation Tickets
Tickets for the School of Architecture Convocation Ceremony are free of charge. Tickets are required for the ceremony and will have to be presented at the door for entrance by all guests (including young children) due to space limitations. Students participating in the ceremony are not required to have a ticket. You are allowed to request up to six (6) tickets for the architecture ceremony. Requests for extra tickets will be recorded and those tickets will be available via a lottery system after all students have received their initial tickets. Please only request the number of tickets you need.
Tickets are ordered at: https://go.illinois.edu/ConvocationQuestionnaire. Please check with your families to make sure you order the number of tickets you need. The deadline for ticket order is Sunday, March 24, 2025. You may pick up the tickets during the first week of May in room 106 Temple Buell Hall.
Parking
During graduation weekend, all university lots (excluding 24-hour rented parking spots) are available for use. Please remember that there are many ceremonies being conducted during this weekend and parking will not always be close to the ceremony. For those needing special assistance, a driveway located directly east of the Auditorium can be used to drop off and pick up guests. Please note that this is not a parking area.
Timeline of Events
- April 9: Last Day to Order Cap and Gown Online by 10:59 p.m. CT at early discount pricing
- April 10-25: Place Online Cap and Gown Orders at Regular Pricing – by 10:59 p.m. CST
- April 12: Last Day to Order Convocation Tickets (https://go.illinois.edu/ConvocationQuestionnaire)
- Week of April 29: Pick up Convocation Tickets – 106 Temple Buell Hall – 12:00 p.m.
- May 17, 9:30 a.m.: University-wide Commencement Ceremony – Memorial Stadium
- May 17, immediately after University-wide Convocation: President’s and Chancellor’s Reception
- May 18, 8:00 a.m.: Arrive at Foreign Languages Building
- May 18 ,9:30 a.m.: Convocation Ceremony – Foellinger Auditorium
- May 18, 11:00 a.m.: Reception – Temple Hoyne Buell Hall Atrium
Contact Information: Rhonda Frank rfrank@illinois.edu