Join the CU Boulder campus in honoring our newest graduates at the spring commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 9, where 8,619听degrees will be awarded.听The event听will feature CU Boulder alumna and correspondent for NBC News and MSNBC听Savannah Sellers听as the speaker.
The ceremony will honor fall 2018听and 2019听spring and summer degree candidates, including 6,595听bachelor鈥檚 degrees, 1,421听master鈥檚 degrees, 176听law degrees and 427听doctoral degrees.*
If you go
厂迟补诲颈耻尘听
- Stadium gates open at 7 a.m. Guests should be in their seats by 8:15 a.m. The ceremony begins at 8:30 a.m. The event is free and open to the public听and does not require tickets.
Security screening,听clear bag policy
- Prior to entering the stadium gates, all graduates and guests are subject to security screening, which may include walk-through metal detectors,听electronic wanding and听inspection of bags or other personal items.
- Folsom Field complies with all TSA and Homeland Security prohibited items lists.听The only bags allowed are bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12"听x 6"听x 12"听or one-gallon (or smaller) clear plastic food-storage-type bags.听No other bags are permitted鈥攊ncluding backpacks, diaper bags and other similar bags.
- A small number of individual lockers will be available onsite to secure items that do not meet security guidelines. Get more details here.
Campus parking,听traffic information
- Expect heavy traffic while traveling to Boulder, within the city and on campus.听Parking attendants will direct you to the available lots in the area as you enter campus.听Parking meters and pay stations on campus are free the day of commencement. See the听campus map; get听parking and shuttle information.
鈥�Join the conversation听
- Tag your commencement photos with #ForeverBuffs for a chance to be featured in CU Boulder commencement social media efforts.
- Follow @CUBoulder and @CUBoulderAlumni on Twitter and Instagram.
- If friends or family are unable to attend in person, a will be available.
Tomorrow鈥檚 leaders: Class of 2019
Read about just a few of the talented, motivated and innovative students who are graduating and starting on their next adventure.
Logistics
Stadium gates open at 7 a.m. Guests should be in their seats by 8:15 a.m. to watch the student processional. Attendees should leave ample time for traffic, parking and security screening. City and campus roads may be congested for approximately one and a half hours before the ceremony and about an hour afterward.
The only bags allowed are bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12"听x 6" x 12"听or one-gallon (or smaller) clear plastic food-storage-type bags.听No other bags are permitted鈥攊ncluding backpacks, diaper bags and other similar bags.
The ceremony is held outdoors regardless of weather, and attendees are encouraged to dress appropriately for Colorado鈥檚 ever-changing conditions. In the event of heavy rain or snow, an abbreviated ceremony will be held. Follow local media and for any weather-related delays.
Early arrival is recommended.听Guests attending departmental recognition ceremonies directly following the main ceremony are encouraged to park in areas near their department ceremony.听(Please review the听鈥淒epartment Recognition Ceremonies鈥� webpage听for specific locations.)
Check out the campus map for a visual of the affected areas during commencement.听
Commencement speaker
CU Boulder alumna Savannah Sellers鈥攃orrespondent for NBC News and MSNBC and co-host of听Stay Tuned, NBC鈥檚 Generation Z news brand鈥攚ill give the听commencement address.听
Sellers, who also听hosts NBC News for Universal Kids, the only daily TV news program created specifically for kids, was invited by CU Boulder鈥檚 Senior Class Council. She听has covered an array of politics and pop culture topics, ranging from the issue of gun violence in America鈥攚ith exclusive interviews with several of the students from Parkland鈥檚 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School鈥攖o focusing on the trends and social issues most vital to the millennial and Gen Z generations.听
At age 27, she is among the university鈥檚 youngest commencement speakers鈥攊f not the youngest.
College, department ceremonies
Many departments within CU Boulder鈥檚 to personally recognize their graduates. Students should check with their individual departments for more information.
Cap and gown info
All students are required to wear regalia to participate in the spring 2019 commencement ceremony. Learn more here.
Honorary degrees, University Medal
Stanley Ruttenberg (1926鈥�2017)听will be awarded the honorary degree Doctor of Science in recognition of his significant contributions to science, the arts and public service.
Herman A. Shelanski听will be awarded the honorary degree Doctor of Science in recognition of his leadership and achievements in introducing behavioral science into military decision-making.
Peter Zoller听will be awarded the honorary degree Doctor of Science in recognition of his pioneering work in physics and his enduring association with CU Boulder.
Kazunori听Takato, a founding member of the Global Ambassadors,听will be awarded the University Medal in recognition of his decades of generous service to the University of Colorado and its alumni.
Forever Buffs
More than 250,000 CU Boulder alumni are part of the听Forever Buffs听community with access to all of the programs, events, benefits and services offered by the Alumni Association dues-free for life.
Alumni facts
- No. 5 all-time for alumni serving in the Peace Corps,听with 2,512
- 14 astronauts
Notable alumni
- Byron White, Supreme Court justice
- Matt Stone;听co-creator and executive producer,听South Park
- Cynthia Lawrence, opera singer
- Roy Romer, Colorado governor
- Kate Brown, Oregon governor
- Mary Decker Slaney, world-class runner
- Rick Reilly, sports writer
- Savannah Sellers,听correspondent for NBC News and MSNBC
- Billy Kidd, Olympic skier
- Roberta Ramo, first female president of the American Bar Association
- Jim Gray, television sportscaster for ESPN, CBS and NBC
- Hank Brown, U.S. senator
- David Grusin, composer
- Jeanne Jackson; CEO, Banana Republic,听Walmart.com
- More notable alumni
*Note: These figures were updated April 25, 2019.听
