Commencement
A page within Graduate Education
Celebrate your accomplishments!
All UWL graduate students completing their degree in Spring and Summer 2026 are invited to participate in the University Commencement Ceremony at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The event will be held at the La Crosse Center (300 Harborview Plaza in downtown La Crosse). A maximum of 6 guests per graduating student is recommended.
Several programs will hold their own hooding or pinning events to celebrate graduates, in the days leading up to the University Commencement Ceremony.
Other programs will celebrate their graduates at a hooding ceremony hosted by Graduate & Extended Learning.
Graduate & Extended Learning Hooding Ceremony
Graduate & Extended Learning (GEL) will host a Hooding Ceremony for select graduate programs at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026. Graduates are requested to limit themselves to six guests. If you and your guests would like to attend this event, please follow this link to RSVP. Feel free to reach out to to us with any questions at gradstudies@uwlax.edu.
The GEL Hooding Ceremony will be finished in time for attendees to participate in the University Commencement Ceremony at 12:30 p.m. at the La Crosse Center.
The GEL Hooding Ceremony will be held in the La Crosse Center Ballroom at the La Crosse Center, 300 Harborview Plaza in downtown La Crosse. Enter the La Crosse Center through the South Hall entrance. Once inside, go up the stairs or escalator and proceed straight ahead to South Ballroom. Note: this location is not on campus.
The Hooding Ceremony involves a faculty member putting the hood on each graduate. Students who wish to attend should order an academic hood, cap and gown from the University Bookstore.
Graduate hooding demystified
Wondering how to wear that graduate hood or how to place a hood on a student? This short video provides the details!