COMMENCEMENT
UW-Whitewater’s May 2025 commencement ceremonies will be held at the Williams Center on the UW-Whitewater campus on Saturday, May 17. Each ceremony will last approximately two hours long. The Williams Center doors open at 7:30 a.m. and the doors to Kachel Fieldhouse, where the ceremony will take place, open at 8:30 a.m. for the morning ceremony and 1:30 p.m. for the afternoon ceremony.
Please note that Highway 12 remains closed between the Highway 12/67/20 intersection through Highway P in Whitewater for the next several months; visitors are advised to leave some extra time as a result. Please follow the marked detour route and stay out of the road closed zone for your safety and the safety of the construction workers. More information. See a map with closures »
10 a.m. ceremony honoring the College of Arts and Communication and the College of Business and Economics (undergraduates and graduate students from related programs)
- Wristbands serve as tickets and are required for entry and must be worn.
- Doors to the Kachel Fieldhouse open at 8:30 a.m. They will close for the processional at 9:45 a.m. and will reopen after the singing of the National Anthem.
- This seating chart for the morning ceremony will help you plan your visit.
- Guests are asked to exit the Kachel Fieldhouse by 12:30 p.m. so that staff can prepare for the afternoon ceremony.
3 p.m. ceremony honoring the College of Education and Professional Studies and the College of Letters and Sciences (undergraduates and graduate students from related programs), and the College of Integrated Studies (BAAS students)
- Wristbands serve as tickets and are required for entry and must be worn.
- Doors to the Kachel Fieldhouse open at 1:30 p.m. They will close for the processional at 2:45 p.m. and will reopen after the singing of the National Anthem.
- This seating chart for the afternoon ceremony will help you plan your visit.
Whitewater Campus Commencement Program [PDF]
Please note:
- Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Only water is permitted in the fieldhouse.
- Water and flowers will be available for purchase.
- Strollers, balloons and other large items must be checked; a free coat check is available.
- There are no restrictions on bags (size, clear vs. opaque, etc.).
- Professional photography will take place during the ceremonies, and students will have access to those photos by Tuesday, May 20.
- The lost and found is located in Room 100.
- Signage in the field house will indicate where students are seated according to college. Students will cross the stage from right to left as they receive their degree.
- Plan ahead: graduates will be recessed out of the west side of the fieldhouse, toward the tennis courts. Talk in advance with your student about where you’ll meet up after the ceremony.
Each graduating student will be issued seven tickets in the form of pre-printed wristbands.
- The wristbands can be picked up from the One Stop in Room 129 of the University Center (inside the Warhawk Connection Center) between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. April 28 through May 16.
- Wristbands can also be picked up at the Will Call box office on the second floor of the Williams Center starting at 8 a.m. on the day of the ceremonies. Family members can pick up wristbands if the student has provided the Registrar’s Office with the family member’s name in advance.
- All guests must be wearing wristbands; for those without wristbands, remote viewing is available in Timmerman Auditorium in Hyland Hall.
The following campus locations are open on Saturday, May 17, 2025:
- The University Bookstore is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Willie’s is open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in the University Center for Colectivo coffee and snacks.
- A self-guided tour is available online. Printed versions of the tour can be picked up at the University Center Information Desk, the bookstore, and the Visitor’s Center.
Commencement parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. All campus lots will be free of charge on commencement day.
University Police will direct those in need of accessible parking, which is limited, to lot #11. Only vehicles with state-issued disabled license plates, permits or placards will be permitted in this lot.
Guest access
The commencement ceremony will be fully accessible. Drop-off location and accessible seating will be available for individuals with disabilities or limited mobility. Seating will be determined on a first-come, first-served basis and is limited to only those guests who require it. The seats will be for the person with accessible needs and for one companion. No pre-ticketing will occur for accessible seating. Wheelchair and wheelchair companion locations are scattered throughout the main level. Family members and guests are encouraged to provide their own mobility devices; UW-Whitewater does not provide wheelchairs or walkers. .
Accommodations for deaf/hard of hearing guests
The seating area is served by assistive listening devices (ALD) on an FM system. Individuals may pick up headsets at the Recreation Sports and Facilities Office, located in room 100 of the Williams Center (near the north entrance doors of the fieldhouse), and must leave some form of collateral, such as a driver’s license or credit card while using the ALD. In addition, ASL interpreters will be on site in a designated area.
Accommodations for nursing mothers
Please feel free to feed your child anywhere you wish. If you would like a more comfortable area, please head to room 105 in the Williams Center (athletic training room).
Restroom changing stations
Changing stations are located in the following areas in the Williams Center: women's restrooms (rooms 163 and 207) and men's restrooms (rooms 159 and 204).
Restroom changing stations
Changing stations are located in the following areas in the Williams Center: women's restrooms (rooms 163 and 207) and men's restrooms (rooms 159 and 204).
Restrooms
The public restrooms are accessible.
Accommodations for graduating students
Graduates who need hearing, mobility or other accommodations for either ceremony can make arrangements by contacting Sara Vogt at vogts@uww.edu.
Commencement Speakers
Lynn Gardinier, who earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from UW-Whitewater in 1990, will share her story as commencement speaker at the spring 2025 commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 17.
Management major Kylie Bilello will share her inspiring story as student speaker at the UW-Whitewater spring 2025 commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 17.
Julie Anding, who earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology in 1990 and a Master of Science in guidance and counseling in 1992, will share her inspiring story as commencement speaker for UW-Whitewater’s spring 2025 commencement ceremony at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 17.
English major Meg Hayes will share her inspiring story as commencement speaker for UW-Whitewater’s spring 2025 commencement ceremony at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 17.
The Rock County campus
The Rock County campus will hold its commencement ceremony in the gymnasium of the Wells Cultural Center at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, 2025. No tickets are required, and free parking is available.
Every year, UW-Whitewater showcases the many students who have landed a job, earned a job promotion, been accepted to graduate school, or started a company before they’ve even hit the stage at graduation.
