University Graduation Celebration
Guest Seating
Matthew Knight Arena will open at 7:30am for guest seating and all guests should be seated by 9:00am. Guests will be able to enter the building through the North and East entrances. Seating will be available for guests requiring accommodation. If you need access to a sign language interpreter or a member of your party needs wheelchair-accessible seating, please contact us at myduckis@uoregon.edu.
Tickets are not required for any University commencement ceremony. Graduates may bring as many guests as they wish.
Duck Walk
Students and faculty will gather for line up in front of Johnson Hall at 8:30am in regalia. Starting promptly at 9:00am our walk will start down 13th Avenue to Matthew Knight Arena. As graduates enter the arena, you will be greeted by staff, family and friends who will cheer you on as you take a walk around the arena before being seated for the celebration.
What makes Duck Walk more than just an academic parade is that students are dressed in regalia and asked to carry signs, decorate their mortar board cap, or wear symbolic family or organizational pieces. This is where each and every student can shine as an individual. Is there something that symbolizes your major? Does your student organization have a logo? Do you have a special message for Mom and Dad? Check out this video.
Celebration
The ceremony that begins directly after the Duck Walk enters Matthew Knight Arena will showcase student achievements over the past four years and the experiences shared as students.
This event will be marked with a commemorative gift for graduates who participate in the celebration.
Speakers
Our featured commencement speaker will be the Hon. Jefferson Smith a UO Alumni and member of the Oregon House of Representatives who is the founder of the Bus Project, a non-profit group devoted to engaging citizens in the political process by registering voters and working with ballot initiative campaigns. Jefferson will be joined by four student speakers, as well as Interim University President Robert Berdahl and other invited guests.
GradFest
We will be offering a special celebration area centering around the Ford Alumni Center. This area will feature food vendors, dining areas, photobooth, DuckStore, student performances, activity area for children, relaxation room, craft center and more! Anything you need to enjoy a day on campus will be available at GradFest! Not to mention, all the University museums and classroom buildings will be open for you to enjoy.
Information Booths
There will be four booths located around campus. Feel free to stop by one of these booths to request assistance or ask a question.
Unable to attend? Join us for the live commencement webcast on the UO Channel.