Convocation speaker

The Convocation speaker will be announced soon!

Student speaker

The College of Science is pleased to have the opportunity for one of our graduates speak at Convocation to represent their experience and deliver an inspiring message to all students in attendance.  All undergraduate students graduating in Fall 2019, Spring 2020, and Summer 2020 are invited to submit a written speech to be considered for the 2020 Convocation Student Speaker.

Here are some guidelines for a successful submission:

• Your speech should be around 3 – 4 minutes (500-700 words).
• Have a clear story, theme, or message.
• Talk about your future and how your experience in the College of Science helped to shape it.
• Be authentic and positive.
• You must be comfortable speaking in front of several thousand people during the College of Science Convocation on Thursday, April 30 at 9 am at the Huntsman Arena.

Please submit your speech by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18. Speech submissions should contain your full name, UNID, and major.

Students chosen to audition with the College of Science convocation committee will be contacted to arrange a time during the week of March 23-27. The committee will then choose the winning speaker and notify them by April 1. If you have any questions, please email us.

>> Return to the Convocation page <<

PhD Candidates

The College of Science allows faculty to hood their Ph.D. candidates during the diploma presentation of the convocation ceremony. In order to assure that this process proceeds smoothly, please read these instructions carefully:

Step 1: After the Ph.D. candidate’s name has been read, s/he proceeds to the dean’s reception line to receive the diploma. The hood should be draped over the left arm. Please be sure that the hood is unbuttoned so that it will fit over the graduation cap.

Step 2: As the candidate approaches the dean, the faculty advisor or department chair (if the advisor is not present) will step forward and stand on the candidate’s left side. The dean will be on the candidate’s right side. The dean will give the diploma cover to the candidate, and the candidate should hand the hood to the dean.

Step 3: The dean and the faculty/chair will each take one side of the hood and lower the hood over the candidate’s head from the rear.

Step 4: The candidate shakes hands with the faculty/chair and the dean, and smiles for the photo.

>> Return to the Convocation page <<

Parking

Campus parking lots may be used at no charge during Convocation. Families are encouraged to drop off elderly guests and those who cannot walk long distances in the Jon M. Huntsman Center circle before parking their cars. The closest parking to the Jon M. Huntsman Center is directly south in the LDS Institute lot.

There will be no parking at the Rice Eccles Stadium lot during Convocation and Commencement ceremonies.

For information regarding guest parking, accessible parking, shuttles, and other transportation related information, please visit the Parking Page.

bag check

The Huntsman Center enforces a clear bag policy. Guests may bring in one clear bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches or a one (1) gallon storage bag. 

If you do not have a clear bag, any belongings brought into Huntsman Center, including diaper bags, will be searched.

Seating

There is open seating for Convocation guests. Please arrive early to ensure a good seat for the ceremony.

Special seating/accomodations

Guests needing ADA access to the Huntsman Center have 2 options: They may have someone drop them off directly in front of the Huntsman center on the circle (accessed from Westbound South Campus Drive only) and then the driver can park at the stadium lot and take the shuttle or TRAX back OR they may park in the stadium lot and ride a campus shuttle to the Huntsman Center. All the shuttles will be lift equipped.

Photography

Official graduation photographs may be ordered through Island Photography. The graduate will receive information from Island Photography on ordering prints.

Family and friends may take pictures as long as they do not disrupt the ceremony. No one is allowed to take photographs in front of the main stage or the Island Photography staging area.

For additional information, check out the University commencement page here.

>> Return to the Convocation page <<