Engineering Recognition Ceremonies
Overview
KU Engineering hosts two graduate recognition ceremonies each year. If you intend to participate or “walk,” please make appropriate arrangements for your regalia as it is required in all graduation ceremonies. During the ceremony, engineering administration, engineering department leadership, and faculty will be present to congratulate students.
Special seating is available for guests with limited mobility. For the spring ceremony, to ensure all guests with mobility concerns are accommodated, we ask that parties limit their use of reserved seating to those who need it and one additional companion.
The recognition ceremony is also a time to honor outstanding master's and doctoral students, seniors in each major, as well as the Locke Award for Outstanding Senior, which is selected from that group. The School recognizes several faculty award winners, including the Gould Award winners for Outstanding Faculty Adviser and Outstanding Faculty Educator. Engineering students are encouraged to nominate faculty for the two Gould awards.
Each ceremony is livestreamed with a link available on the School of Engineering homepage, posted the day of the ceremony.
Spring 2025 School of Engineering Recognition Ceremony
8 a.m. Saturday, May 17, 2025
Allen Fieldhouse
1651 Naismith Dr
Lawrence, KS 66045
A Parking Map (PDF) is available near Allen Fieldhouse and the engineering complex. Guests are encouraged to use Lots 54, 72 and the parking garage to the north of Allen Fieldhouse. For the spring ceremony, a limited number of additional parking spaces will be available in Lot 112 and Lot 127 to the south of Hoglund Ballpark. Handicap parking spaces are available in Lot 70 and Lot 71 immediately south of Allen Fieldhouse. Overflow parking is available in Lot 90 to the south of Allen Fieldhouse, though this lot is farther from the post-ceremony reception at the engineering complex. Additionally, Allen Fieldhouse Drive will be open to allow drop-off of friends and family with limited mobility.
The RSVP form for students closed on Monday, April 28. Contact Alex Pang if you would like to RSVP or have questions about student participation.
Day-Of Details
Graduates and guests should dress comfortably. It will be warm in Allen Fieldhouse. Concession stands will be open for purchasing snacks and beverages.
Tickets are not required for guests to attend the Spring 2025 School of Engineering Recognition Ceremony.Engineering graduates must wear the appropriate cap and gown for their degree level to participate.
Arrival
Students are encouraged to pick up their name card early, the week of May 12. Staff will be available to help check in students and assist with student questions. Students must arrive by 7:15 a.m. May 17 in the Anschutz Sports Pavilion for the student line-up and processional.
Guests: Doors at Allen Fieldhouse will open at about 7:00 a.m for guests. Guests should be seated 15 minutes before the ceremony begins.
The program is expected to last approximately 1.5 hours.
Parking
Free parking will be available throughout campus starting at 12 p.m. Friday, May 16. This includes the Allen Fieldhouse and Central District parking garages. Many KU lots will be open and free on a first-come, first-serve basis. Visit the KU Parking website to view parking maps.
Accommodations
Wheelchair-accessible seating and limited-mobility seating will be available at Allen Fieldhouse. Guests can find an usher for: (a) the elevator, (b) the wheelchair-accessible seating area, or (c) seating for guests who require assistance in walking. Guests needing accommodations should arrive one hour early before the ceremony.
To ensure all guests with mobility concerns are accommodated, we ask that parties limit their use of reserved seating to those who need it and one additional companion.
Questions?
Contact Claire Harding for general questions related to the ceremony or reception.
Contact Alex Pang for undergraduate student-specific questions.
Contact Tracy Rockers for graduate student-specific questions.
University Commencement
The University of Kansas holds one university-wide Commencement ceremony each spring and several school-level recognition events that same weekend. All students who have graduated in that academic year (includes summer, fall, and spring graduates) are invited to attend the university’s official ceremony, which takes place the Sunday after finals in the spring semester. The "walk down the Hill" is a fun tradition where students often bring balloons or decorate caps and gowns.
When a student applies for graduation in Enroll & Pay, this indicates to university officials of your potential participation in University Commencement. There is not a separate RSVP form for University Commencement.
Doctoral students are also invited to attend the annual Doctoral Hooding Ceremony hosted by the KU Office of Graduate Studies in the spring.