convocation2020

Convocation Speakers

February 26, 2020
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 <<

Student FAQ

February 26, 2020

Student FAQ

Convocation is an opportunity to celebrate your academic accomplishments with your peers, family, friends, and College of Science community. This page contains useful information for graduation day.

Convocation Procedure
  • All candidates for degrees will line up outside the Huntsman Event Center beginning at 7:30 a.m. Although convocation does not begin until 9:00 am, students will begin marching in at 8:10 am.
  • A reader card will be given to you when you arrive at convocation. Printing legibly, fill out ALL sections of the card (front & back) and bring it with you to the reader table. These cards are to provide your information to the faculty announcing the student names.  They also assist the professional photographer in the process of identifying student photos for those who wish to purchase pictures.
  • Graduates will file into Huntsman Arena and be directed by the ushers to your seats.
  • During the awarding of diploma cover, you will be directed to a reader table where you will hand the reader your card. As your name is read, walk to the Dean’s reception line, where your photograph will be taken.
  • You will then return to the seating area to await the processional out of Huntsman.
Regalia
  •  All graduates are required to wear the appropriate cap and gown during Convocation. Ribbons or cords may be attached to the robe to denote membership in an officially recognized academic organization or honor society when membership is by nomination and/or election.
  • Regalia may be ordered through the Campus Store.
Photography
  • Graduation photographs may be ordered through Island Photography. You are not obligated to purchase these photographs.
  • Family and friends may take pictures as long as they do not disrupt the ceremony.

Island Photography preorder

Diplomas
  • Diplomas are mailed to graduates from the Office of the Registrar within three months of graduation.
  • If your address, phone number, and/or email address change, update your information immediately in the Campus Information System (CIS). The Registrar will use the most recent address listed in CIS when mailing your diploma.
reception

All graduates and their guests are invited to a reception at the Crocker Science Center, directly after graduation. It is recommended that cars remain parked, as there is very limited parking by the Crocker Science Center. Guests may take campus shuttles from the Huntsman Center to Crocker, or take TRAX west one stop to the Rice Eccles station. It is a short walk from the TRAX station to the Crocker Science Center. Please email events@science.utah.edu if you need parking accommodations close to the Crocker Science Center.

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.

Guest FAQ

February 26, 2020

The College of Science looks forward to welcoming the family and friends of our graduates. Family members are advised to arrive at the Huntsman Center by 8:15 am.

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 <<