May 2026 Convocation
iDegree In-Person Convocation
(iMBA, iMSA, iMSM)
Friday, May 15, 2026
10:00 - 11:30 am
State Farm Center
Deadline to register: Friday, May 1
Undergraduate and Residential
Graduate In-Person Convocation
Friday, May 15, 2026
2:00 - 4:30 pm
State Farm Center
Deadline to register: Friday, May 1
Gies graduates from August and December 2025 and May 2026 are eligible to participate in the May 2026 Convocation Ceremony. Please note, graduates are only eligible to participate in the ceremony for their respective degree.
Master’s degree candidates with 8 or fewer hours remaining or Bachelor’s degree candidates with 13 or fewer hours remaining who expect to complete their degree requirements in August 2025, may participate in Convocation.
Regalia
Graduates must have custom Illinois regalia to participate in the ceremony. Place your cap and gown order online before April 28th. There is an early discounted rate available until April 13th.
Additional details may be found online.
Guest Tickets
Tickets are not required for guests for the Spring Gies Convocation ceremonies. The State Farm Center has a large capacity that will accommodate as many guests as you would like to bring. Seating is first come, first served. Additional information for the venue, including parking, will be in the final confirmation email that you will receive in early May.
Livestream
The convocation ceremony will be livestreamed, for any guests unable to attend the ceremony in person to view. Link will be provided closer to date. Please note: Online participation or remote recognition during the ceremony is unavailable.
Parking
Parking is available in each of the parking lot quadrants surrounding State Farm Center, at no cost. The spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
State Farm Center Policies
A clear bag policy will be in effect for the Convocation Ceremony. Guests attending Convocation ceremonies will be permitted to carry one clear plastic or vinyl bag that does not exceed 12"x6"x12", or one clear drawstring bag not to exceed 12"x12", or one, one-gallon clear plastic or zip-lock bag. A small clutch no larger than 4.5"x7" may also be carried in addition to one clear bag.
Additional details are available online.
Requests and Accommodations
Guests: Parking for those with disabilities is available in each of the parking lot quadrants surrounding State Farm Center. The spaces are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. The circle drive areas located on the East & West side of the building and are available for drop-off and pick-up. There are accessible seating areas throughout the State Farm Center, available on a first-come, first-serve basis; including companion seating. There will be State Farm Center staff at the entrances, who can help direct to accessible seating and/or answer any on-site questions. Additional information can be found online.
Graduates: If you will need accessibility-related accommodations in order to participate in this event, please indicate when registering for the ceremony.
Student Resources and Questions
Registration/Ceremony: If you have questions about registration or the ceremony, please contact our office at Gies-Convocation@illinois.edu.
Academic: If you have academic-related eligibility questions, undergraduate candidates should contact the Office of Undergraduate Affairs at undergrads@business.illinois.edu or 217-333-2740. Master’s, MBA, and PhD candidates should contact their respective degree program office with questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are tickets required for guests?
Tickets are not required for guests for the Spring Gies Convocation ceremonies. The State Farm Center has a large capacity that will accommodate as many guests as you would like to bring. Seating is first come, first served. Additional information for the venue, including parking, will be in the final confirmation email that you will receive in early May.
Will the event be live-streamed?
The convocation ceremony will be livestreamed, for any guests unable to attend the ceremony in person to view. Link will be provided closer to date.
Please note: Online participation or remote recognition during the ceremony is unavailable.
How can I order pictures from the ceremony?
Each graduate will have their picture taken as they receive their diploma. Graduates will receive information on ordering proofs, directly from GradImages®, following the ceremony.
Who is eligible for each convocation ceremony?
August and December 2025 Graduates are eligible to participate in the December 2025 Gies Convocation Ceremony. August and December 2025 and May 2026 Graduates are eligible to participate in the May 2026 Gies Convocation Ceremonies.
If you have academic-related eligibility questions, undergraduate candidates should contact the Office of Undergraduate Affairs at undergrads@business.illinois.edu or 217-333-2740.
Master’s, MBA, and PhD candidates should contact their respective degree program office with questions.
What is the difference between Gies Convocation and Universitywide Commencement?
During the Gies Convocation Ceremony, you will have the opportunity to have your individual name read along with the rest of the Gies graduates and you will walk the stage and receive your diploma cover.
During Commencement, all graduates from across the University are eligible to participate. Your degree program will be announced, and you will stand with the rest of your fellow graduates. Individual recognition does not occur at this ceremony. You are not required to attend the Commencement Ceremony to participate in the Gies Convocation.
If you intend on participating in either or both, please note there are separate registration processes for each. You will need to register for each ceremony separately.
Does applying for graduation also register me for the Gies Convocation?
No, applying for graduation does not automatically register you for either Gies Convocation or Universitywide Commencement. There are separate registration processes for each.
For information regarding applying for graduation, please contact your academic advisor.
Visit the Universitywide Commencement Ceremony website for information on Commencement and how to register.
When will I receive instructions for the day of the ceremony?
After you have registered to participate in the Gies Convocation Ceremony, you will receive an initial confirmation email confirming your registration. A final confirmation email will follow in early May that will include, arrival time, line up and name card instructions, ceremony details, as well as additional information on regalia, photography and parking. This email will be sent to the email address you use to register for the event.
What should I do if I or my guests need accessibility-related accommodations?
Graduates: If you will need accessibility-related accommodations in order to participate, please indicate when registering for the ceremony.
Guests: If one of your guests will need accessibility-related accommodations, please contact our office at Gies-Convocation@illinois.edu.
Learn more about accessibility at the State Farm Center.
Will I receive my diploma at Convocation?
All graduates participating in the Gies Convocation Ceremony will have their names read as they cross the stage. Everyone receives a diploma cover (only). Because it is not possible to process final grades and prepare degree lists by Convocation weekend, diplomas will be mailed approximately 9 weeks after your conferral date.
I am receiving two degrees/dual programs, will I be recognized for both degrees?
Each graduate will cross the stage one time during the Gies Convocation Ceremony and have their name read in the department/degree area they used during the convocation ceremony registration.
I am receiving two separate degrees, both from Gies. Can I get a 2nd diploma cover?
Upon the conclusion of the in-person ceremony (AFTER the platform party has recessed out of the room), the graduate may approach the stage area and request a 2nd diploma cover from a Gies volunteer. Alternatively, graduates may order diploma covers from the Illini Union Bookstore.
Do I need to stay for the entire Convocation Ceremony?
As a courtesy to and out of mutual respect for all graduates, the graduate and their family should remain seated until the conclusion of the ceremony following the platform party recessional.
Interested in the Universitywide ceremony?
Get all the details on the Universitywide ceremony at Memorial Stadium in May.