Student Commencement Instructions
We are days away from May Commencement 2025 at the KFC Yum! Center. We are so excited to celebrate you! Here is the latest information you need to know. Visit http://louisville.edu/commencement for more information.
LATE APPAREL ORDERS: If you submitted a late apparel request on the commencement website after the cap & gown order deadline, please plan to attend the late apparel sales event in the Red Barn on Thursday, May 8h from noon – 6:00 p.m. or Friday, May 9th from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The UofL keepsake stole is optional and may be worn with your cap & gown. If you did not purchase the stole, but are interested in purchasing one now, Jostens will be on site with stoles and zipper pulls available for purchase during the late apparel sales event in the Red Barn on Thursday, May 8th from noon – 6:00 p.m. or Friday, May 9th from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
GRADUATE RSVP: The deadline to RSVP was April 25. If you did not RSVP, you may still participate! You are advised to arrive in the practice court of the KFC Yum! Center early to have a call card made. We recommend arriving in the Practice Court no later than 45 minutes before your ceremony start time.
You must have a cap and gown to participate.
REHEARSAL: As a reminder, there is no in-person rehearsal. Instead, we have a brief rehearsal video to give you a visual guide about where you and your guests will go when arriving at the arena. You can find the video at https://louisville.edu/commencement/informational-video-presentation .
PROGRAM BOOK REQUEST: We understand that receiving a program book with your name listed is an important element of Commencement. We no longer provide hard copy program books at the ceremony, but they will be available upon request. These books will be mailed to the address you indicate on your request following Commencement. Additionally, an electronic copy of the program will be posted to the Commencement website in advance of the ceremony.
To request your copy of the program book, visit https://louisville.edu/commencement/program-book
PARKING: There is parking available in the underground parking garage at the KFC Yum! Center. Event parking fees will be collected when you enter the garage.
The Riverside Parking Garage is available and located at First and Witherspoon Streets. There are many parking garages in the immediate area and metered street parking is also available.
Please note that other events and road closures may impact your drive time and parking availability. Please allow plenty of time for parking and traffic.
SECURITY: All individuals entering the KFC Yum! Center will pass through metal detectors. Please allow a few extra minutes to enter the facility. All bags will be searched upon entry. Bags may be no larger than 14" X 14" and a clutch may only be 9" X 7".
Balloons are prohibited at the KFC Yum! Center.
GRADUATE EXPRESS ENTRY: Doors to the KFC Yum! Center will open 90 minutes before Commencement begins. Graduates are asked to be in their seats at least 10 minutes before the ceremony. To avoid delays, the second street suite entrance has been designated as the Graduate Express Entry. Graduates and faculty only will be allowed to enter via the express entry. Graduates will be seated from front to back as you arrive in the graduate seating area. Seats cannot be “saved.” If you want to sit with someone, you must arrive together.
GUEST ENTRY: Guests must enter the KFC Yum! Center via the Main Lobby. Doors will open 90 minutes before the ceremony.
CALL CARDS: Upon entry, graduates should proceed to the event level and make your way to the practice court. There will be signage and staff to direct you. You will pick up your call card and make your way into the arena to take a seat in the graduate seating area. There will be staff available to assist with name pronunciation. Once you pick-up your call card, please keep it with you. You will then proceed to the graduate seating area.
GRADUATE SEATING: Students will be seated on the arena floor in the order they arrive. Seats cannot be saved. If you want to sit with a fellow graduate you must arrive together. We kindly ask that graduates be seated no later than ten (10) minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.
PUBLIC SEATING: Commencement is a non-ticketed event. Graduates may invite an unlimited number of guests.
Public seating is accessible from the main concourse. Wheelchair seating is designated, and venue service staff will provide directions. All seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
ACCESSIBILITY: Information on accessibility and support services, including the fan assist wheelchair escort program, can be found here: http://louisville.edu/commencement/special-needs-and-services
CROSSING THE STAGE: Students will cross the stage in the order they arrive and are seated. After crossing the stage, you will have your graduation photo taken, and then you will return to your seat for the remainder of the ceremony. The entire ceremony will last no more than two hours.
PHOTOS: A professional photographer from Pro Pics will photograph each graduate as you cross the stage and after exiting the stage. Graduates will receive one free 5x7 photograph. To make sure Pro Pics has the most accurate contact information to send your photo proofs and free print, please visit www.UofLphotos.com to fill out your information. Check out more details and read about our virtual photo booth online at https://louisville.edu/commencement/coverage-events
Photo backdrops for each of the schools/colleges will be set-up on the Main Concourse. Bring your camera!
LIVESTREAM: Ceremonies will be livestreamed here: https://UofL.edu/livestream
FOOTWEAR: Wear appropriate footwear. While there are no restrictions on footwear, be mindful that you will be walking on many different surfaces and navigating stairs or a ramp.
MUSIC: The University’s Collegiate Chorale will begin their concert 30 minutes prior to the University-wide ceremony in the arena.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions have been compiled and are answered here: https://louisville.edu/commencement/faqs
Email commence@louisville.edu with further questions.
Congratulations! We look forward to celebrating your special day!
Commencement Staff
http://louisville.edu/commencement
(502) 852-6528