Celebrate UCR's 68th Commencement
All eligible graduates who have submitted their graduation application via R'Web have been sent the "Intent to Participate Form for UC Riverside's Commencement Ceremonies" from commence@ucr.edu. If you are planning to participate in your Commencement ceremony, you must register to walk in Commencement through the Intent to Participate form by Friday, May 13 at 5:00 p.m.
If you have not yet submitted your Intent to Participate form, please check your UCR e-mail inbox for subject line "Intent to Participate Form for UC Riverside's Commencement Ceremonies" from commence@ucr.edu and submit your form by Friday, May 13 at 5:00 p.m.
If you have any questions or concerns, please e-mail us at commence@ucr.edu.
Commencement 2022
Welcome to the official Website for UC Riverside's 68th Commencement.
If you are a graduating student, congratulations on your achievement! You have worked hard to get to this point in your life and UC Riverside is honored to have been part of your journey.
Making this day a memorable occasion for you and your proud family members and friends is very important to UC Riverside, so we have developed this website for everything Commencement.
We are continuing to update the website with Commencement 2022 deadlines and information so please check back periodically and stay updated! The Commencement website will be updated with detailed information regarding your participation the week of May 9.
For Commencement parking information, please visit the Commencement Parking website here.
Getting Started
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Step 1: Apply to Graduate
If you are a UC Riverside student who graduated Fall 2021 or are expected to graduate in Winter 2022 or Spring 2022, you are eligible to participate in the Class of 2022 Commencement. If you expect to graduate Summer 2022, you may be approved to participate if you submit your Summer graduation application by the early deadline of April 11, 2022.
In order to graduate from UCR, all students must submit a graduation application via R'Web. In addition to this, Bachelor's degree students in CHASS and School of Business must also complete your College graduation application.
For Advanced degree candidates and Teaching Credential candidates, please complete the appropriate paperwork on time and receive approval from the Graduate Division and Teacher Education Program office.
For instructions on how to file your graduation application, please visit the Registrar's Guide to Graduation Website.
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Step 2: Check out our Class of 2022 Commencement checklist to stay on track with the various requirements and deadlines relating to your participation
Review your respective Class of 2022 Commencement checklist for deadlines relating to the Intent to Participate form, and other important information regarding Commencement participation.
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Step 3: Submit your Intent to Participate form starting April 19
The Intent to Participate form confirms that you will be participating in the Class of 2022 Commencement. The form will open on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, and login and instructions will be e-mailed to eligible students that afternoon.
It is important to submit your Intent to Participate by Friday, May 13 at 5:00 p.m. to ensure that you can order the maximum number of tickets for your ceremony.
Please check your respective Class of 2022 Commencement checklist for important deadlines relating to the Intent to Participate form.
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Step 4: Order your guest tickets starting May 17
Starting May 17, you can log in to Marching Order with the same login information as the Intent to Participate form to order your guest tickets. Please note that the maximum number of tickets available vary by ceremony and ticket ordering is not on a first-come, first-served basis.
Eligible graduates who submit their Intent to Participate form by Friday, May 13 at 5:00 p.m. are guaranteed the maximum number of tickets for their specific ceremony. Please note, if your Intent to Participate form is submitted after the deadline, you may not be able to order the maximum number of tickets for your specific ceremony and your legal first and last name will be pre-recorded and displayed as you cross the stage.
The exact number of maximum tickets for each ceremony will be announced in early May prior to the ticketing portion of the Intent to Participate form opens.
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Step 5: Let us know your plans after graduation!
You've made it to graduation, but what's your next destination? Tell us your next step now!
Schedule of Ceremonies
Friday, June 3, 2022
6:00 p.m. School of Medicine - Commencement / Hippocratic Oath Ceremony
M.D. degree recipients
Location: Student Recreation Center North, main gymnasium
Saturday, June 4, 2022
9:00 a.m. Graduate Division Hooding Ceremony
All Ph.D. degree and M.F.A. degree candidates
Location: Student Recreation Center North, main gymnasium
Friday, June 10, 2022
6:00 p.m. School of Business
Master's and Bachelor's degree candidates
Location: Pierce Lawn
For the School of Business FAQ, please click here.
Saturday, June 11, 2022
8:00 a.m. College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences Group 1
Master's and Bachelor's degree candidates in the departments of Biochemistry and Biology
Location: Pierce Lawn
6:00 p.m. College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences Group 2
Master's and Bachelor's degree candidates in the departments of Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology, Chemistry, Data Science, Earth Sciences, Entomology, Environmental Sciences, Geology, Geophysics, Mathematics, Mathematics for Secondary Teachers, Microbiology, Neuroscience, Physics, Plant Biology, and Statistics
Location: Pierce Lawn
Sunday, June 12, 2022
8:00 a.m. College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (CHASS) Group 1
Master's and Bachelor's degree candidates to select preferred ceremony date/time on a first-come, first-served basis through the Intent to Participate form
Location: Pierce Lawn
9:00 a.m. School of Education
Master's and Bachelor's degree candidates and Teacher Credential candidates
Location: Student Recreation Center North, main gymnasium
2:00 p.m. School of Public Policy
Master's and Bachelor's degree candidates
Location: Student Recreation Center North, main gymnasium
6:00 p.m. College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (CHASS) Group 2
Master's and Bachelor's degree candidates to select preferred ceremony date/time on a first-come, first-served basis through the Intent to Participate form
Location: Pierce Lawn
Monday, June 13, 2022
8:00 a.m. College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (CHASS) Group 3
Master's and Bachelor's degree candidates to select preferred ceremony date/time on a first-come, first-served basis through the Intent to Participate form
Location: Pierce Lawn
9:00 a.m. Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering Group 1
Master's and Bachelor's degree candidates in the departments of Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Sciences with Business Applications, and Data Science
Location: Student Recreation Center North, main gymnasium
2:00 p.m. Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering Group 2
Master's and Bachelor's degree candidates in the departments of Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering
Location: Student Recreation Center North, main gymnasium
Tradition & Symbols
The UCR Pipe Band
The UCR Pipe Band performs on the campus and surrounding community at formal and informal events, including parades, memorials, highland games, athletic events, alumni events, Chancellor's events and Commencement. The band encompasses a diverse group of musicians and performers offering a wide variety of Celtic music played on bagpipes and drums. Visit their website to find out more about the UCR Pipe Band.
The Regalia
In 1895, American Universities adopted a code for uniformity in academic dress. These codes, handed down from European academic ceremonies, represent different degree levels, field of study, and the institution from which the degree was earned. Each color, worn on tassels, hoods, velvet and satin trimmings, represents a specific educational discipline:
- Arts, Letters, Humanities: white
- Commerce, Accountancy, Business: drab
- Economics: copper
- Education: light blue
- Engineering: orange
- Music: pink
- Philosophy: dark blue
- Public Administration: peacock blue
- Medicine: green
- Science: golden yellow
- Theology: scarlet
- Social Work: citron
The Seal of the University of California
The present seal, designed by Tiffany and Company, has been used since 1910. The seal incorporates symbolic icons and phrases that represent the image of the University. Symbols used include:
- The open book, which symbolized the accumulation and dissemination of knowledge.
- The letter "A", representing the beginning of wisdom.
- The five-pointed star above the book represents the discovery and sharing of knowledge.
- The University motto, "Fiat Lux", or "Let There be Light", displayed on a scroll, represents the coming of light and knowledge in to the world.
The Chancellor's Medal
The Chancellor's Medal is worn at ceremonial observances as a part of the chancellor's regalia. At the center is the University of California seal. The back of the medal displays the names of the campus' chancellors and year he or she was inaugurated.
The UC Riverside Mace
The academic mace, first used in the 14th century, is descended from the club of Hercules. The scepter on the mace stands for lawful power and regal authority, and was carried by Zeus, the Greek God of moral law and order.
Most academic maces take the same general shape. At the top is an ornament placed on a bulbous head; ring-shaped enlargements are found on the shaft; and the base is a round, foliated ornament.
The UC Riverside Mace was first suggested by Ramon J. Rhine, Chair of the Academic Senate, to represent the dignity and history of the campus. Professor Emeritus George Helmkamp designed and constructed the ceremonial mace, with Eugene L. Ethridge of the Chemistry Department contributing metal work.
The UC Riverside mace was hand crafted with inlaid woods, with the head and shaft made out of Hawaiian Koa wood. The light inlaid wood is Yellow Fir from Canada, and the dark inlays are Desert Ironwood collected by Professor Helmkamp throughout Southern California. The mace has ornaments at the top and the base. The base is in the shape of a citrus fruit, representing UCR's Citrus Experiment Station. The top ornament is the bear of the State of California. Seals of California and the University are mounted on opposite sides of the mace's head. Below the seals are the mottos of California and the University, respectively, along with the years 1850 (the year California was admitted in to the Union), and 1868 (the year the University of California was founded).
UC Riverside Alma Mater
Professor of Music Byron Adams joined the UCR faculty in 1987 and was dismayed to discover that the university did not have a school song. To promote school spirit and engender institutional pride, Adams held an informal competition for the text of the song and selected the verses written by the late Bob Wild, a beloved physics professor. He then set forth to create "Hail Fair UCR".
"I sat down one beautiful winter afternoon and, inspired by the hills surrounding the university, the bell tower and the orange groves, composed Hail Fair UCR," he said. "It is meant to be sung in full - every word and every note - at Commencement and other solemn, and not so solemn, university events."
A Look Back
Relive the pageantry and excitement of UCR’s Commencement ceremonies. Watch videos of the keynote and student speakers from each of the ceremonies as well as the remarks from our Chancellor and Deans of the Colleges.
Commencement 2020 Online Celebrations
Advanced Degree Graduates and Teacher Credential Online Celebration
Bachelor's Degree Graduates Online Celebration
2019
Watch the ceremonies from UCR's 65th Commencement exercises, May 31-June 1 and June 14-17, 2019.
2018
Watch the ceremonies from UCR's 64th Commencement exercises, June 1 and June 15 - 19, 2018.
2017
Watch the ceremonies from UCR's 63rd Commencement exercises, June 9 and June 16–19, 2017.
2016
Watch the ceremonies from UCR's 62nd Commencement exercises, June 10–13, 2016.
2015
Watch the ceremonies from UCR's 61st Commencement exercises, June 12–15, 2015.
2014
Watch the ceremonies from UCR's 60th Commencement exercises, June 13–16, 2014.
2013
Watch the ceremonies from UCR's 59th Commencement exercises, June 14–17, 2013.
2012
Watch the ceremonies and view photos from UCR's 58th Commencement exercises, June 15–18, 2012.
2011
Watch the ceremonies and view photos from UCR's 57th Commencement exercises, June 10–13, 2011.
2010
Watch the ceremonies from UCR's 56th Commencement exercises, June 11-14, 2010
Participant Information
CANDIDATES FOR GRADUATION
Includes Commencement participation information, and candidate checklists to ensure that all requirements and deadlines are met to participate in Commencement.
