Changes announced for commencement ceremony

The University hopes to make its commencement ceremony a city-wide celebration. | File photo/The Cougar

As UH seeks to make spring commencement more of a city-wide celebration than it’s ever been, a slew of ceremonial changes is being unveiled.

Students graduating this May will participate in two different ceremonies: a University commencement ceremony for all graduating seniors, and separate convocation ceremonies hosted by individual colleges, with dates and times to be announced soon, said Director of Special Events Tonja Jones. All college commencement ceremonies will be held between May 14 and 16 at different locations on campus.

Students will cross the stage at their college’s ceremony, but not at the University commencement ceremony, where Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey will deliver this year’s commencement address.

The University commencement will be treated as more of a city-wide “festive” celebration, a change tied to UH’s efforts to become more ingrained in the Houston community. The ceremony, which has been described by University representatives as “spectacular,” will be held at 7 p.m. May 15 in TDECU Stadium. A student processional will take place at 6 p.m. before the ceremony.

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