Order of Events

Nearly 3,000 students graduate from UND each year. To help things run smoothly, here's what you need to know.

Arrival and Assembly

Plan to arrive at the commencement venue at least 60 minutes before the official ceremony start time to allow for the assembly process. Upon arrival, follow this procedure:

Report to the assembly site.
1. Spring Commencement: Alerus Ballroom
2. Summer and Winter Commencement: Chester Fritz Auditorium Rehearsal Room (lower level)
You will receive a copy of the printed program and a name card. You must keep this name card and hand it in to the announcer to read your name as you cross the stage.
Go immediately to the signs marking your degree and remain there.
Student marshals and staff members will organize each column into alphabetical order within their degree. All candidates should be lined up and ready for the processional 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the ceremony.
Processional marshals will lead you from the assembly area at approximately 10 minutes prior to the beginning of commencement and into the arena/auditorium. You will be directed to assigned seating and will remain standing until the President asks you to be seated.

Order of Commencement

Processional
Welcome and introductions from the President
Singing of "America the Beautiful"
Greetings from the State Board of Higher Education
Conferring of honorary degrees (if awarded)
Speaker (if presenting)
Presentation of the Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor (if awarded)
Conferring of academic degrees
Alumni greetings
Singing of the "Alma Mater"
Recessional

The Ceremony

The conferring of degrees takes place in three phases: doctoral degrees, specialist/master's degrees, and baccalaureate degrees.

Doctoral Candidates

All doctoral candidates and graduate advisors should wear proper academic regalia.
Graduates candidates will wear a tam with the tassel worn on the left. Please bring your hood to the ceremony, but do not wear it. You will carry it over your arm in the procession.
A student marshal will guide you and your advisor to the stage for the conferral of your degree. Remember to bring your hood. You will hand your name card (given to you during assembly) to the announcer seated at the side of the stage.
When your name is announced, you and your advisor will cross the stage, shake the Dean's hand, and then proceed to a spot on the stage where you will hand your doctoral hood to your advisor and the Dean for hooding.
Once you are hooded and presented your diploma, the President will shake your hand and you will be guided to a location for a posed photo and then you can return to your original seat.
All graduates will remain in the arena/auditorium for the duration of the ceremony.

Master's Degree and Specialist Diploma Candidates

All master's degree and specialist diploma candidates will wear proper UND-specific academic regalia. The tassel is worn on the left. You will wear your master's hood to the ceremony.
During the assembly process, candidates for master's degrees and the specialist diploma line up in alphabetical order behind the signs for their respective degrees (such as Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Fine Arts, etc.), all of which are awarded through the School of Graduate Studies for the processional. You should follow the marshal assigned to the Graduate School for the processional.
You will be led to the stage in a single file line by a marshal for the conferring of degrees. You will hand your name card (given to you during assembly) to the announcer seated at the side of the stage. At the direction of the stage marshal, you will proceed across the stage to shake hands with the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and receive a diploma folder from the President. After shaking hands with the President, you will then exit the stage, be guided to a location for a posed photo and then you can return to your original seat. You should remain standing until all graduates from your row have returned to their original seats.
All graduates will remain in the arena/auditorium for the duration of the ceremony.

Bachelor's Degree Candidates

All bachelor's degree candidates will wear proper academic regalia. The tassel is worn on the right and moved to the left after you cross the stage.
During the assembly process, commencement marshals and/or UND staff members will organize you into separate columns by college, school, and by degree within that unit. Candidates receiving more than one degree must choose one college with which to march. To avoid confusion, remember that you march with the college or school that awards your degree. For example, students majoring in aviation management receive the Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration, not the Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences. You will be placed in alphabetical order within the degree as listed in the commencement program.
You will be led to the stage in single file line by a marshal for the conferring of degrees. You will hand your name card (given to you during assembly) to the announcer seated at the side of the stage. At the direction of the stage marshal, you will proceed across the stage to shake hands with the Dean of your college and receive a diploma folder from the President. You will then exit the stage, be guided to a location for a posed photo and then you can return to your original seat. You will remain standing until all graduates from your row have returned to their original seats.
All graduates will remain in the arena/auditorium for the duration of the ceremony.

Recessional

After the President's closing remarks, the marshals will lead the platform group from the stage, followed by the graduates. Please meet your family and friends in a predetermined location following the ceremony to help minimize congestion.

Tips

You will be marching and standing a good part of the time; therefore, low-heeled, comfortable dress shoes are recommended. Since there are no secure areas to leave personal belongings, it is recommended that jackets, purses, and other personal items be left with your guests.