Graduate Commencement Ceremony
CFANS Graduate Commencement 2026
Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 3 p.m. | Ted Mann Concert Hall
Lobby doors opens at 2 p.m. | Auditorium opens at 2:30 p.m.
Arrival time for graduates is 2–2:15 p.m.
Watch the commencement livestream
Students are eligible to participate in CFANS Graduate Commencement if they are completed/are scheduled to complete their master’s, professional, or doctoral degree from any program in the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences between June 2025 and August 2026.
Arrival and Security
Bag Policy
- The University of Minnesota is enforcing a clear bag policy for graduates and guests at all commencement events. Please review the policy and share it with your guests.
Graduate Arrival and Security
- Graduates and faculty will enter Ted Mann through the Terrace Entrance.
- To get to the Terrace, walk up the fire lane alongside the building and up a flight of stairs.
- If you need an accessible entrance, please use the main entrance.
- UMN police and campus security will perform a security check at each entrance.
- Leave personal belongings at home, with your family/guests, or in your vehicle. You may leave belongings backstage at your own risk.
- Parking and Transit Information (Closest ramp is 21st Ave Ramp)
Check-in, Name Card, and Line Up
- Once you are in the building, check in with CFANS staff and pick up your name card. Please hold on to your name card until you are asked to hand it to the card reader on stage.
- There is a student dressing room where you can put on your regalia.
- Once you are dressed, please line up in the hallway with your graduate program following the signs on the walls. Please be in line by 2:45 p.m.
- Promptly at 3 p.m. graduates will follow the faculty into the concert hall.
Guest Information
Every adult guest must present the official CFANS Graduate Commencement invitation image at the lobby door. Children accompanying an adult do not need their own separate invitation. Please share this image with all of your guests; it will serve as their official invitation. Guests may show the invitation image on their mobile device or provide a printed copy.
- Lobby doors will open to the public at 2 p.m. Family and guests will use the main entrance.
- UMPD and campus security will perform a security check at each entrance.
- Auditorium doors will open for seating at 2:30 p.m. Seating is first-come, first-served for guests. Ted Mann has plenty of seating for a ceremony of our size.
- Staff will be available to assist guests who have requested seating accommodations.
- Flowers and gifts will be available for purchase in the Ted Mann lobby before the ceremony. If you would like to pre-order flowers or gifts, you may do so here.
- The event will last approximately two hours.
Regalia
- Graduates are responsible for purchasing their regalia from the UMN bookstore. Here is an overview of graduate regalia.
- The cap is worn with the pointed end to the front and parallel to the ground. The tassel is worn on the left side throughout the ceremony. You do not move your tassel for graduate degrees.
- Master's students wear their hood throughout the ceremony.
- PhD candidates/graduates will be hooded on stage by two people, typically your advisor(s) or DGS, and Dr. Saqui-Salces. Walk in the procession with the hood draped over your arm. Make sure the cord on your hood is unbuttoned.
- CFANS staff will be available to help with regalia adjustments and answer questions as you line up for the processional.
- Regalia is not required to participate in CFANS Graduate Commencement.
Photos and Video
- Share your graduation photos on social media using #CFANS2026
- The ceremony will be streamed live and posted on the CFANS YouTube page.
- We have made arrangements with GradImages to have a professional photographer take photos of each student on stage. GradImages will email you directly when the photo proofs are available to view. There is no obligation to purchase photos.
- If you pre-register with GradImages, you will receive a link to your photos shortly after the ceremony.
Schedule
- 2–2:15 p.m. Arrive at Ted Mann Concert Hall
- 2:30–2:45 p.m. Graduates line up backstage in degree program order (Master's first, then PhD).
- 3 p.m. Processional begins into the auditorium. Faculty first, then graduates.
- Speeches, including keynote speaker and graduate student speaker
- Presentation of Graduates
- You will be dismissed by row/degree program. When you get backstage, hand over your name card before crossing the stage.
- As you cross the stage, you may shake hands with Dean Brian Buhr and receive your diploma cover.
- Exit stage right, grab your Alumni Society gift, and return to your seat.
- ~4:45 p.m. End of ceremony recessional: After the faculty have exited, wait for your row to be dismissed, then exit the auditorium.
- Reconnect with your guests in the lobby or outside the building.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I eligible to participate in the Commencement ceremony?
Am I eligible to participate in the Commencement ceremony?
Students are eligible to participate in CFANS Graduate Commencement if they are completed/are scheduled to complete their master’s, professional, or doctoral degree from any program in the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences between June 2024 and August 2025. Please check with your Graduate Program Coordinator if you are unsure.
What's the difference between graduation and commencement?
What's the difference between graduation and commencement?
Graduation is the completion of all degree requirements as recorded on the official transcript. Commencement is the ceremony that celebrates the completion of a degree. Participation in the commencement ceremony does not imply that you have officially graduated.
For more information regarding steps required for the award of your degree, please contact your Graduate Program Coordinator and/or the Graduate Student Services & Progress (GSSP) Office.
How do I purchase academic attire?
How do I purchase academic attire?
Graduates are responsible for purchasing their own regalia through the University of Minnesota Bookstore.
Academic regalia is available to rent or purchase at the University Bookstore in Coffman Union, the St. Paul Student Center, or online at the University Bookstore (master's and doctorate). Graduates can attend GradFest for discounted rates.
How to wear academic regalia: The cap is worn with the pointed end to the front and parallel to the ground. The tassel is worn on the left side throughout the ceremony. PhD candidates should carry their hood on-stage, and they will be hooded by their advisor or other faculty member.
How can my friends and family attend the ceremony?
How can my friends and family attend the ceremony?
The ceremony will begin at 1:00 p.m. Building doors will open to the public at noon; auditorium doors will open for seating at 12:30 p.m. Graduates may invite up to 4 guests. There are no physical tickets and seating is first-come, first-served for guests.
Can I watch the ceremony at a later date and time?
Can I watch the ceremony at a later date and time?
Yes, the ceremony will be recorded and available to view on the CFANS Youtube channel after the ceremony date.
How will I receive my diploma cover?
How will I receive my diploma cover?
Graduates will receive their diploma cover as they cross the stage during commencement.
How do I apply to be the student speaker at graduate commencement?
How do I apply to be the student speaker at graduate commencement?
CFANS is pleased to once again offer graduate students the opportunity to speak at the CFANS Graduate Commencement.
Commencement speakers will be expected to speak for 5 minutes, and will speak directly before the keynote speaker. The student commencement speech can be reflective, motivational, inspirational, or reflect other themes of the speaker’s choice.
If you are interested, please complete this application form. Please complete all requested information. Student commencement speaker applications must be submitted by March 31. If selected, you will be asked to submit a copy of your speech before commencement to be reviewed by the CFANS Graduate Student Board.
Will there be a photographer at the ceremony?
Will there be a photographer at the ceremony?
Yes, we have made arrangements with GradImages to have a professional photographer take photos of each student. One photo is taken on stage with your diploma cover in hand. Another photo is taken as you enter or exit the stage. GradImages will contact you directly when the photo proofs are available to view. There is no obligation to purchase photos. If you pre-register, you will receive a 20% discount through GradImages.
Will I be able to purchase flowers at the ceremony?
Will I be able to purchase flowers at the venue?
Yes, we have made arrangements with The Commencement Group to have flowers and gifts available for purchase in the lobby of Ted Mann Concert Hall before the ceremony. If you would like to pre-order flowers or gifts, you may do so here.
Who should I contact if I have further questions?
Who should I contact if I have further questions?
- For program-specific questions, please contact your Graduate Program Coordinator.
- For degree completion and graduation questions, please contact GSSP.
- For all other questions, please email [email protected].
