College of Letters & Science Spring 2026 Commencement
College of Letters & Science Pre-Commencement Celebration
Saturday, May 9, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
UW Field House
1450 Monroe Street,
Madison, WI 53706
The College of Letters & Science will hold an in-person Spring 2026 Pre-Commencement Celebration for L&S graduates and their families on Saturday, May 9, from 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. at the UW Field House. Celebrate your milestone at this informal event with the Dean, your family and friends, and Bucky. Enjoy refreshments, a complimentary L&S alumni t-shirt and more, at this free event.
Graduates who apply by the University's set deadline will be featured in the L&S Pre-Commencement Celebration Program. The College is unable to accommodate reading names and having graduates walk across the stage at the L&S Pre-Commencement Celebration. Graduates are encouraged to reach out to their home department(s) to inquire about their commencement related event plans.
Carry in Policy
All items and guests are subject to search when attending the L&S Pre-Commencement Celebration. Graduates and guests should limit the number of items they bring and abide by the Carry-in Policy of Camp Randall Stadium and the UW Field House. Storage is not available for checking prohibited items. Items left outside at entrances will be disposed of.
Each attendee is allowed one small clutch purse (6.5” x 4.5”) and one large clear bag, either a one-gallon clear gallon-sized storage bag or a 12”x6”x12” clear tote bag. Signage outside the Kohl Center and Camp Randall Stadium will instruct graduates and guests on the building carry-in policy.
Guests and graduates will be allowed to enter Camp Randall Stadium for the University of Wisconsin–Madison Commencement Ceremony, following the L&S Pre-Commencement Celebration, via Gate D of the Field House starting at 10:00 a.m. Guests will not need to proceed through screening a second time for the larger ceremony at Camp Randall Stadium.
Accessibility
Parking: Free parking will be available at most campus lots during Commencement weekend where accessible parking is first-come, first-served. A map outlining the free campus parking will be available on the Commencement website.
A complimentary shuttle service will be available on Commencement Day. The shuttle will run every 10 minutes from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and again from noon to 2:00 p.m.
Drop-off directly in front of the Field House or Camp Randall will not be available, due to road closures, including Monroe Street. Guests are strongly encouraged to utilize free campus parking and shuttle services or designated ADA parking lots.
Request a Special Event Accessible Parking Permit online until May 6th at 11:59 p.m.
Entrances and getting around: For the L&S Pre-Commencement Celebration event all guests and graduates must enter the Field House at Gate B. All guests will need to bring their own mobility aids, including wheelchairs, scooters, or assistive devices.
Seating Accommodations: Courtesy seating options are available throughout the Field House on a first-come, first-served basis. Those spaces will have signage and include options toward the front of the stage, near the captioning screen, on the outer edges of the table seating, and the first row of bleacher seating. We are unable to offer reservations for these locations.
Captioning: Closed captions are available during the L&S Pre-Commencement Celebration event and will be projected on a screen near the front of the room. QR codes will also be made available for attendees to scan and view closed captions on their mobile device.
Additional information about accessibility can be found on the Camp Randall Stadium Accessibility page.
Questions about the L&S Pre-Commencement Celebration can be directed to commence@ls.wisc.edu.
University Spring 2026 Commencement Plans
Doctoral, MFA, and Medical Professional Degree Candidate Ceremony
Friday, May 8, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.
The Kohl Center, 601 W. Dayton Street
Doors open at 3:30 p.m. Graduates are asked to arrive no later than 4:50 p.m. to check-in and pick up their name reader card.
Bachelor's, Law, and Master's Degree Candidate Ceremony
Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
Camp Randall Stadium, 1440 Monroe Street
Doors open at 10:00 a.m. Graduates are asked to arrive no later than 11:10 a.m.
Graduates should consult the University’s Commencement website regularly for updates. You may also email commence@chancellor.wisc.edu with any questions regarding the University’s Commencement.
General FAQs
How do I apply to graduate?
Students must apply for graduation to attend the University ceremonies and receive their diploma. Graduates are required to complete the application, even if they have missed the deadline for their name to be listed in the program. Apply to graduate here.
How do I order a cap and gown?
Reserve your cap and gown through the University Bookstore (click on the reserve your cap & gown button). For Spring 2026 Commencement, orders can be placed through the University Book Store from February 3 through April 3 for an early Badger discount. After April 3, you can place your order up until the day of commencement.
When do I receive my diploma?
The actual diploma will be mailed to you by the Office of the Registrar several weeks after the end of the semester.
I am late to apply to graduate, can I still graduate?
Yes, graduates are required to complete the application, even if they have missed the deadline for their name to be listed in the program. All graduates are also required to have a cap and gown in order to attend the ceremony.
L&S Departmental plans for Spring 2026 Commencement
L&S departmental graduation events will be added on a rolling basis.
Biology Major Graduation Celebration
Friday, May 1 | 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. CT
Microbial Sciences Building, Microbial Sciences, 1550 Linden Dr. 3rd floor near the Biology Major advising offices.
Graduating biology students can stop by the 3rd floor of the Microbial Sciences Building near the Biology Major advising offices on Friday, May 1 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. to enjoy a sweet treat with advisors and fellow grads. While you’re there, pick up your Biology Major mug – a gift to you as our newest alumni. Please reach out to info@biologymajor.wisc.edu with any questions.
Department of Botany and Integrative Biology
Friday, May 8 | 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. CT
Birge Hall Front Lawn, 430 Lincoln Dr. (Rain location-Birge Hall Atrium)
We will celebrate our Botany, Conservation Biology, Molecular & Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Zoology grad's accomplishments at the Department of Botany and iBio Graduation Meet and Greet on Friday, May 8th. Stop by Birge Hall's front lawn anytime between 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. Graduates can pick up a major mug and play some cornhole. Families, friends, faculty, staff and students are all welcome.
English Department
Saturday, May 9 | 8:30 a.m. CT
Pyle Center, Alumni Room, 702 Langdon St.
The English department will host a graduation celebration for English majors and their guests. Breakfast will be provided and graduates will be recognized by walking across a stage with their name called. In addition, two students from the graduating class are selected as students speakers.
International Studies Major
Thursday, May 7 | 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. CT
Dejope Residence Hall, Lake Mendota Room, 640 Elm Dr.
Join us on Thursday, May 7, from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. in the Lake Mendota Room at Dejope Hall, for a celebration of our graduating students.
Schedule:
9:00 a.m. Check-in and Refreshments served
9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Program
10:30 - 11:00 a.m. Class photo and Mingling
Center for Law, Society & Justice (Legal Studies and Criminal Justice)
Saturday, May 9 | 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. CT
Carson Gulley Center Upper Room, 1515 Tripp Cir.
Join us with your loved ones to celebrate our Legal Studies and Criminal Justice graduates! There will be refreshments, cake, and the chance to hear from each of your classmates. More information about the CLSJ Graduation Reception can be found here.
L&S Honors Program
Friday, May 8 | 1:45 p.m. OR 3:15 p.m. CT
Gordon Dining and Event Center, Symphony Room, 770 W Dayton St.
The L&S Honors Program will recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of Honors degree candidates the afternoon of Friday, May 8. Honors degree candidates received an event invitation with additional details via email in early April and are asked to register themselves and their guests for one of two ceremonies: 1:45 p.m. or 3:15 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided. More details can be found online at Spring 2026 Honors Commencement Celebration.
Undergraduate Math Major
Friday, May 8 | 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. CT
Math Learning Center, Van Vleck Hall, B224, 480 Lincoln Dr.
The Math Department will host a graduation celebration event for Math major graduates and their families in the Math Learning Center from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on May 8th.
Department of Psychology
Saturday, May 9 | 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. CT
Outside Brogden Psychology Building, 1202 West Johnson St.
Psychology welcomes graduating students (bachelor’s candidates) graduating in December 2025, May 2026, and August 2026 and their guests to stop by our Psychology Graduation Celebration Pop-up event to receive a department pin and small gift. More information about the Psychology Graduation Celebration Pop-up can be found here.
Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work
Saturday, May 9 | 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. CT
Wisconsin Institute for Discovery Building, 330 N Orchard St.
The Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work will be celebrating their graduates on Saturday, May 9, from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the Discovery Building. All SRSSW graduates (Social Welfare majors, BSWs, MSWs and PhD’s) and their families are invited. Cookies and beverages will be served. In addition, we will have a hooding ceremony for the MSW and PhD graduates. RSVP required.