UT Dallas graduates will cap off their academic journeys and mark their achievements with families and friends at fall commencement ceremonies, which will begin Dec. 15.

The University of Texas at Dallas will celebrate fall commencement ceremonies with two new twists for its most recent cohort of graduates.

Each of the University’s eight schools will have their own ceremonies — 13 total, plus a doctoral hooding ceremony — in either the Activity Center or the Edith O’Donnell Arts and Technology Building Lecture Hall on Dec. 15, 16 and 17.

“Moving from having some blended ceremonies to at least one unique event for each school allows the deans flexibility to make each gathering truly their own,” said UT Dallas President Richard C. Benson, the Eugene McDermott Distinguished University Chair of Leadership. “Recipients of school awards can be recognized, and students can interact with the mentors and classmates who helped define their journeys.”

UTD by the numbers. 25 percent of undergraduate degree recipients are first-generation students. 18 percent of grads are international students. 53 percent of undergraduate degree recipients are transfer students. Graduates represent 36 U.S. states and territories, 38 countries, and 64 Texas counties. The youngest grad is 18 and the oldest is 70. Most popular degrees for bachelor's students are computer science; information technology systems; and arts, technology, and emerging communication. The top master's degrees are computer science, information technology and management, and business analytics. Top doctoral degrees are electrical engineering, chemistry, and computer science.

Festivities will kick off at 10 a.m. Dec. 15 with the doctoral hooding at the Activity Center, which will also hold nine additional ceremonies, including four for the Naveen Jindal School of Management and three for the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science. For the first time, the O’Donnell Building will host commencement with four school ceremonies.

Either Benson or Provost Inga H. Musselman, vice president for academic affairs and the Cecil H. Green Distinguished Chair of Academic Leadership, will provide administration remarks at each of the daily events.

The University is expected to award 1,745 bachelor’s degrees, 863 master’s degrees and 89 doctorates, and more than 3,300 students, including some summer graduates, will participate in the ceremonies.

To help reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus during commencement, the University is strongly encouraging attendees to be vaccinated, wear masks and follow the guidance listed on the Comets United website. If graduates or guests are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, are currently COVID-19 positive or have been exposed to COVID-19 within the previous 14 days, they should refrain from attending. Livestreams of the ceremonies will be available on the UT Dallas website.

Commencement Coverage

Graduates are encouraged to share their celebrations and memories by using #UTDgrad on Instagram and Twitter.
Class of 2021: Stellar Comets Share Journeys to Graduation
Schedule
Parking map (PDF)
Live webcasts of the ceremonies
For more information, go to the graduation website.

After each commencement ceremony, family, friends and graduates are invited for refreshments, photo opportunities and giveaways during Memories on the Mall activities at the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center. The tradition honors the University’s newest alumni and gives graduates the opportunity to reflect on their experiences at UT Dallas.

During commencement events, 12 student speakers are scheduled to share their thoughts about their UT Dallas experience: