May Convocation

College of Media Spring 2026 Convocation

Students who will complete a degree from the College of Media in December 2025, May 2026, or August 2026, are invited to participate in the College of Media Convocation ceremony.

Registration

Students must register to participate in the College of Media Convocation Ceremony. Register here by April 20.

Regalia

Academic regalia (cap and gown) is required for Convocation. Regalia can be ordered online. The deadline to order for the early discounted rate is April 13 at 10:59 PM. Regular pricing will be available online April 14.

Diploma Name and Mailing

Diploma names are displayed on diplomas and are used in the Convocation program, lists of graduates, and Convocation related press releases. Examples of diploma names include: using a middle name instead of a first name; using an abbreviated name (Tom instead of Thomas); using an Americanized name (Wendy instead of Haiyan); or using a name that better reflects one’s ethnic, racial or gender identity. If you’d like to create a diploma name, please send an email to graduation@illinois.edu (include UIN) by March 31, 2026. 

Check that your diploma will be mailed to the correct address. You can view your Diploma Address in Self-Service. Instructions on how to check and update this can be found on the website for the Office of the Registrar.

Honor Cords

Honor cords are available to students who are in the top 20% of their graduating class and/or have completed all James Scholar requirements. Students’ invitation to graduation (sent by email) indicated if you have graduated in the top 20% of the College of Media.

Candidates for College of Media honors can purchase honor cords. Each honor cord costs $5.50 and can be purchased online using the link sent to you via email. James Scholars will receive their cords as a gift from the James Scholar program. Cords may be picked up March 9–May 8 from the Student Services Center in 18 Gregory Hall during office hours 8:30-12 and 1:00-5:00 Monday-Friday.

Tickets

Tickets will be required for all guests attending convocation. Graduating students participating in the Convocation Ceremony do not need a ticket. Tickets are free and each student will be guaranteed up to FIVE TICKETS. Students will receive more information in late April regarding ticket pick-up dates and times and if additional tickets are available. It will be determined after registration closes if/how many additional tickets we are able to provide for those who request them. Additional ticket requests may only be made by the student, and this is to be done when registering for Convocation.

For guests who are unable to join us in person, the ceremony will be livestreamed beginning at 5:00 PM. The link to join the livestream will be provided closer to the ceremony.

Alumni Speaker

The 2026 College of Media Convocation Alumni Speaker will be Patrick Burke (BS ’95, advertising). Burke is an Emmy-nominated writer and creative director. He is currently the executive creative director at Special Group U.S., an advertising agency based in Los Angeles recently named the #1 Independent Agency of the Year by Ad Age. Patrick’s career and creative focus has often centered around one annual event: Super Bowl Sunday. With the recent debut of his Uber Eats Super Bowl commercial, starring Matthew McConaughey, Bradley Cooper, and Parker Posey, Patrick has now created 18 Super Bowl commercials for 10 different brands, including Lay’s potato chips, Bud Light, Rocket Mortgage, and Jeep. He’s won the USA Today Super Bowl AdMeter three times, and has scored in the Top-5 eight times. Read more about him.

Directions and Parking

Parking is free in Krannert Center’s underground garages all day on weekends. Visit the Krannert Center website for more information on parking and directions.

University-Wide Commencement Ceremony

The University-wide Commencement Ceremony will take place Saturday, May 16, 2026 from 9:30-11:30 AM at Memorial Stadium. Register to participate by April 30.

Please visit the University-wide Commencement website for more details: https://commencement.illinois.edu.

Lodging

The Experience Champaign-Urbana website provides a listing of local hotel/motel information. For additional visitor information, you may contact them at 217-351-4133. Individuals are encouraged to make reservations as soon as possible.

Photography

GradImages® will be photographing all graduates at convocation. Please visit their website at http://www.gradimages.com/ to pre-register prior to May 17. Click on “Registration” at the top, enter “University of Illinois,” click on “University of Illinois Media,” and enter the contact information of your loved ones who would like to view and order graduation photos. After graduation, you may order online or call 1-800-424-3686.

Please contact Molly Cornyn at 217-333-1590 or mcornyn2@illinois.edu with any questions.