Graduation 2025
Celebrate the Class of 2025
On Friday, May 16, the KU School of Architecture & Design will recognize our 2025 graduates. KU’s university-wide Commencement ceremony on the Hill will take place on Sunday, May 18.
Graduation Open House and Graduate Exhibit
Friday, May 16 | 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Chalmers, 300 Level – Café & Gallery
Join us in celebrating our grads at the ArcD Graduation Open House and Graduate Exhibit. All graduating students will have the opportunity to have their work featured at the event. More details will be sent to graduating students in March.
*Parking Info: Yellow lots are open for guests to park on campus during awards and open house events.
Recognition Ceremony
Friday, May 16 | 6:00 - 7:30 pm
The School of Architecture and Design graduation recognition ceremony at the Lied Center is a formal event that honors graduating undergraduates, masters, and doctoral students who have or will finish their degree completion requirements in the Fall 2023, Spring 2024, and Summer 2024 terms.
Watch Online: live stream
KU Commencement
Sunday, May 18 | 10:30 am
David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium
The university-wide Commencement ceremony is a less formal, no ticket required, all-university graduation event. KU Commencement’s most treasured tradition is the ceremonial walk down Mount Oread. It begins on Memorial Drive. From there, graduates march through the Memorial Campanile and to the stadium. In many ways, the walk is the ceremony.
NOTICE: Seating and amenities will be reduced due to ongoing construction at the stadium, and we encourage participants to limit attendance to six guests per graduate to keep the event comfortable for everyone. Family and friends can also watch the ceremony via livestream at the Kansas Memorial Union or the Jayhawk Welcome Center, or from their personal devices.
Details: KU Commencement
For graduates receiving an academic award:
Academic Achievement Awards
Friday, May 16 | 1:00-2:00 pm
Only students receiving academic achievement awards and their guests should attend this event.
Students receiving School Academic Achievement Awards will be notified by email.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Lied Center of Kansas features barrier-free entrances and accessible seating. You can view Lied Center's accessibility information on their website. Wheelchair-accessible seating is available in the Orchestra Left first row.
Marvin and Chalmers hall are wheelchair accessible. Please view the KU Accessibility map for more details.
For the events scheduled on May 16th at the KU Campus, visit the booth near the fountain to request an ADA pass. This pass grants you access to any ADA-designated parking space on campus, including those behind Marvin Hall.
For the Spring 2025 Ceremony: Student check-in begins at 5:00 p.m. at the Pavilion of the Lied Center (NE Entry).
Doors will open at 5:15 pm. Guests should be seated 15 minutes before the ceremony begins. No tickets are required for guests to attend the School of Architecture & Design recognition ceremony.
Students should arrive no later than one hour before the ceremony begins.
All graduates who are attending the Recognition Ceremony are required to don full regalia.
Graduation regalia and announcements can be found at the KU Bookstore, 785-864-4640. Undergraduates should have light purple tassels, and master's and doctoral students should have black tassels and light purple hoods. The KU Bookstore will hold a graduation fair on March 20 and 21 in the Ballroom of the Kansas Union.
Honors: Students in the University Honors Program may wear honor cords.
Degree information in announcements should read:
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design
- Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies
- Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture
- Master of Arts in Architecture
- Master of Arts in Interaction Design
- Master of Arts in Design Management
- Master of Architecture
- Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture
Degrees will be officially conferred after the conclusion of the Spring 2025 semester.
Information on ordering diplomas and the timeline for receiving them can be found on the University Registrar's website.
No formal printed invitations will be mailed.
Students who will be recognized at the School's Academic Achievement Award Ceremony will receive a formal email invitation.
The Grad Team is the official vendor that has been hired to take photographs at recognition events on the Lawrence campus on Commencement weekend.
The program will last 1 hour and 30 minutes. There is another event following the School of Architecture & Design Recognition Ceremony. Graduates will process out of the auditorium and family and friends can meet them in the parking lot.
Seating at the recognition ceremony is not assigned. There will be several areas that are reserved for our Graduates, Staff and Honored Guests. Ushers will be available to assist you in finding an open seat.