REGISTER HERE BY APRIL 4 AT 11:59 PM CT

The School of MCB May 2025 ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 18, 2025 at the Krannert Center for Performing Arts beginning at 9:00 AM. We anticipate the ceremony lasting about an hour and thirty minutes. The ceremony will be live streamed for guests who are unable to attend. An informal reception in the Krannert Center lobby will follow the ceremony. Please note -- participating in convocation does require excessive walking, standing, and stair climbing.

Questions about the School of MCB Convocation ceremony can be sent to convocation@mcb.illinois.edu. You may also call (217) 333-6774. Should you need an invitation letter for families traveling internationally, you can download this Invitation to the May 18, 2025 Convocation Ceremony letter.

The university-wide Commencement Ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 9:30 AM at Memorial Stadium. Information regarding this ceremony can be found at this website.

The Doctoral Hooding Celebration is scheduled for Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 7 PM at the State Farm Center. More information can be found at this website.

Graduates may participate in as many ceremonies and celebrations as they would like. However, separate registration is required for each ceremony and participants must order a cap and gown to wear for the ceremonies. The same cap and gown can be worn at all ceremonies and celebrations.

Each PhD or MS student participating in the School of MCB Convocation Ceremony is entitled to 7 total tickets. Each BS student participating in the ceremony is entitled to a total of 5 tickets. Graduates will not need a ticket. REGISTER AND REQUEST TICKETS HERE BY APRIL 4 AT 11:59 PM CT. ALL guests, including infants, must have a ticket to attend the ceremony.

There may be a small number of additional tickets that can be requested via a student lottery (2 maximum per student) in early May. If additional tickets are available, an email notification will be sent to registrants. Note: There is no guarantee that extra tickets will be available.

Tickets will not be distributed until May 2025 in the MCB Center for Advising, 200 Burrill Hall, during business hours. Note: a photo ID is required to pick up tickets. Tickets will only be given to the graduate who registered for the ceremony unless alternate arrangements have been approved by Dara Lawyer (dpl@illinois.edu). Graduates who live off campus and are unable to pick up their tickets can request that tickets be held until Sunday morning. Tickets will be available at check-in tables on level 2 in the Orchestra Rehearsal Room.

Information about ordering academic regalia (cap and gown) can be found on the University's commencement academic attire webpage. To receive a discounted rate (a $20 savings on attire and the standard shipping charge of $15.95), regalia must be ordered BEFORE Monday, April 14, 2025 at 10:59 p.m. Regular pricing will be available online Tuesday, April 15, 2025 through Tuesday, April 29, 2025 and will be shipped via 2nd-Day Air to ensure delivery ($24.95) A pre-paid return shipping label is included.

GradImages has been contracted by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology to take photos of graduates during the ceremonies. To learn more, follow this link.

Day of ceremony instructions will be posted here in May 2025. Participants should plan to arrive at The Krannert Center for Performing Arts between 8:00 AM and 8:20 AM for check-in at the Orchestra Rehearsal Room on level 2.

Guests without accommodation requests will enter on level 5 and proceed to the Great Hall. Guests with accommodation requests will enter on level 2 and find a Krannert staff member for assistance.

Students who have completed degree requirements in August 2024 or December 2024, or will complete degree requirements in May 2025 or August 2025 are eligible to participate in the May 18, 2025 ceremony.

Undergraduate Degree:

• Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
• Bachelor of Science in LAS with major in MCB Honors Concentration
• Bachelor of Science in LAS with major in MCB
• Bachelor of Science in LAS with major in Neuroscience

Master's Degree:

• Master of Science from one of the following departments: Biochemistry, Cell & Developmental Biology, Microbiology, Molecular & Integrative Physiology
• Master of Science from one of the following programs: Biophysics & Quantitative Biology or Neuroscience
• Master of Science from the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology

Doctor of Philosophy:

• Doctor of Philosophy from one of the following departments: Biochemistry, Cell & Developmental Biology, Microbiology, Molecular & Integrative Physiology
• Doctor of Philosophy from one of the following programs: Biophysics & Quantitative Biology or Neuroscience

If you have any further questions regarding convocation, including accessibility concerns, please contact SMCB Convocation Coordinator at convocation@mcb.illinois.edu or call (217) 333-6774.