May Commencement Will Prioritize Safety While Planning to Offer Several In-person Ceremonies
Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. will confer degrees to candidates from all colleges during a series of de-densified in-person ceremonies. UNO will accommodate this by planning to conduct several ceremonies, in which graduates will be recognized during their respective college’s ceremony; May 7 and 10.
- date: 05/07/21 - 05/10/21
- time: events May 7 and 10, see schedule below for details.
- contact: unoevents@unomaha.edu
The May Commencement Ceremonies will prioritize the health and safety of the graduates, their family and friends, and the UNO community.
New for 2021: August graduates will be able to celebrate at their own ceremony that is being planned at the end of the Summer Term.
Looking for more information about May 2021 In-person Commencement?
Steps to Graduation
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Meet with an academic advisor to ensure all degree requirements are met.
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Apply for your degree on MavLINK by March 12, 2021.
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Order your cap and gown at the UNO Bookstore.
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Attend your college’s commencement ceremony.
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Join the UNO Alumni Network – its free!
Schedule for May 2021 Commencement Ceremonies
All commencement ceremonies will be limited to 300 graduates or fewer per ceremony. Ceremonies will be held on Friday, May 7 and Monday, May 10. Graduates will receive four (4) tickets for family and friends to attend the ceremony. More information about tickets will be released soon on the commencement website. Any graduates who don't feel comfortable participating, can watch the livestream ceremony online. Please see the college ceremony schedule below.
Friday, May 7, 2021 | Baxter Arena
| Time | College |
|---|---|
| 8 A.M. | College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) |
| Noon | College of Education, Health and Human Services (CEHHS) and College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media (CFAM) |
| 4 P.M. | College of Business Administration (CBA) |
| 7:30 P.M. | College of Public Affairs and Community Service (CPACS) |
Monday, May 10, 2021 | Baxter Arena
|
Time |
College |
|---|---|
|
8 A.M. |
College of Information Science & Technology (IS&T) and UNL College of Engineering (ENG) |
|
Noon |
Graduate Studies, including the following colleges:
|
|
7:30 P.M. |
Graduate Studies, including the following colleges:
|
Monitoring COVID-19
UNO has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation both locally and nationally. If at any point between now and the scheduled ceremonies COVID-19 trends demonstrate increased risk for safety, we will modify our planning and update our graduates and campus community. We remain committed to the health and safety of the campus and Omaha communities as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Please understand that it is important that we strictly reinforce the effective practices and basic safety measures such as masks and social distancing while on Baxter and UNO campus grounds. This commencement format was the result of extensive planning discussions that included Student Government, under the leadership of Jabin Moore, Student Body President, and many others.
About the Ceremonies and Conferral of Degrees
Please keep in mind that our May Commencement is our largest ceremony. In order for us to ensure the health and safety of all our graduates, their family and friends, and the UNO community we will be hosting several ceremonies broken down by college.
Chancellor Gold said: “We look forward to offering our Maverick graduates a moment that is above all safe and yet exciting, highly engaging, and memorable as they cross this important milestone in their academic journeys. Much depends on the conditions of viral presence in the community at the time of these events.”
Graduates will receive four (4) tickets for family and friends to attend the ceremony. More information about tickets will be released soon on the commencement website. Any graduates who don't feel comfortable participating, can watch the livestream ceremony online. Additionally, if graduates do not feel comfortable attending the in-person college ceremonies, they are able to create a GradSlide which will be featured on their college’s commencement celebration webpage. The GradSlides include the graduate’s name and degree, and the graduate can submit a photo and personal message. This is optional for all graduates.
August 2021 Degree Candidates
UNO is excited to be offering a separate in-person ceremony for August graduates only this summer. This will come at the end of the Summer Term, August 13, 2021.
This not only helps us maintain a healthy and safe event for our May 2021 graduates and our August 2021 graduates, but it also is a special celebration for just our August graduates!
More information will be available this summer as it is approved and released on our commencement website.
Past 2020 Graduates
If any of your 2020 graduate friends have been inquiring about their opportunity to walk across the stage, they will have their chance in August 2021! We are planning a special event to recognize the graduates whose in-person ceremonies were affected by COVID-19.
More information will be available this summer as it is approved and released on our commencement website.
Watch the 2020 Virtual Ceremonies
Students, faculty, staff, and family members who are interested in what the May and December 2020 ceremonies looked like are encouraged to watch and explore the ceremony videos, which were virtual.
Those interested can access the past ceremony videos and additional information about the ceremony on the UNO Commencement website.
Show Your Support
We hope that in the coming days, weeks and months, you will share your stories, photos, videos and more with us though our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #MavSpirit.
Additional Information
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A digital program for May 2021 Commencement will be available for families to download.
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Check out the virtual "swag bag" to celebrate the big day!
About the University of Nebraska at Omaha
Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.
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Contact Us
If you have a story idea, news tip, or other question, please email the UNO News team at unonews@unomaha.edu.