2025
Commencement 2025 will take place on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center at 10 a.m. Each graduate is allowed four invitations. You will receive communication regarding Commencement as details are confirmed. Please continue to check your UDC inboxes throughout the Spring Semester.
Visit the 2025 Commencement website
Information is forthcoming.
Regalia (cap, gown, hood and tassel) InformationThe Herf Jones Regalia portal is open. You may order your regalia (cap, gown, hood, tassel) and other graduation products from the Herff Jones website.
View a listing of hood colors per academic major here
Regalia Order Deadlines
If you order after the final deadline, you are not guaranteed to receive your regalia in time for Commencement.
Earl Howard Studios is this year’s official class photographer. Students will be able to take pictures at the Lamond-Riggs and Van Ness Campuses. If you are taking your cap and gown pictures on campus (March 18 or 19), you do not need to schedule an appointment. All you must do is come to campus.
The sitting fee is $25.00 for photos taken on campus or in the Earl Howard Studios. Cash and credit card payments are acceptable.
Earl Howard Studios will provide cap, gown, hood and tassel for your photos. Gentlemen, a shirt and tie are required. Ladies, please be mindful of your nails and hairstyles as you will take pictures with your caps on and off and various poses. Also, do not wear any attire that covers your neck.
On-Campus Photo Schedule |
Pictures Taken Off-Campus |
| Van Ness Campus Tuesday, March 18 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Student Center, 1st Floor, Ballroom Lobby |
You may schedule an appointment with Earl Howard Studios directly. |
| Lamond-Riggs Campus Wednesday, March 19 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Auditorium |
To schedule an appointment:
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Each participating graduate is allowed to receive four invitations and admit cards for guests to attend the commencement ceremony. Please be mindful that invitations are not the same as announcements. Invitations are specifically for those guests who will actually attend the commencement ceremony. Announcements can be ordered from Herff Jones directly and are for individuals who are not attending commencement.
Order Announcements and other products here.
The graduation ceremony is a festive occasion, but also a formal academic event. The celebration manifests itself in the dress of the students and faculty adorned in academic regalia, and the joy and satisfaction of accomplishment. The ceremony is also marked by seriousness where the actual conferring of degrees signifies the hard work of everyone involved: students, faculty, administrators, and family. Because of the serious nature of the ceremony, students and their guests are expected to maintain a measure of decorum consistent with the occasion.
You have spent many years earning your degree, you can take 3-4 hours to honor your achievement.
*Commencement begins with the academic procession. The audience is asked to rise as the procession enters and remain to standing until the platform party has taken its place.
*Commencement closes with the recessional. After the singing of the Alma Mater, the audience is asked to take their seats and remain seated for the retrieval of colors and the recessional of the platform party, faculty, and students.
Learn more about requesting transcripts here. You can also review page 37 of the university course catalog.
For information regarding Academic Standing and University Honors (Dean’s List, High Honors, Highest Honors and Top Student), please refer to pages 38-40 of the university course catalog. University Honor Cords (High, Highest and Top) will be provided by the Office of the Registrar. For inquiries regarding Dean’s List Honor, please contact your College Dean. For questions or additional information, please contact the Office of the Registrar at uregistrar@udc.edu.
Honor cords and name cards (needed for commencement) may be picked up at the Office of the Registrar, Van Ness Campus, Building 39, A-Level. The Office of the Registrar is located in the Enrollment Services Suite and is open on the following schedule:
Monday, April 29 – Friday, May 10: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 8: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 11: Morning of Commencement at the Convention Center
Please contact the Office of the Registrar for any questions regarding your degree and completion status at uregistrar@udc.edu. Expect a response within 36 hours. Please note, you can keep up with your academic progress via the myUDC website, A.Ac.T (Campus Navigate), and your academic advisor. In order to be recognized for your achievements and receive your degree, you must have the following completed:
The Registrar is also responsible for transcripts and graduation clearances. Clearance is contingent on meeting the requirements above. The Registrar’s office will send out digital letters notifying the student of clearance approvals and denials.
Contact the Professor or Division Chair of your respective program or your academic advisor.
You may pay online through your myUDC portal or contact the Office of Student Accounts for more information, studentaccounts@udc.edu.
Once you satisfy the above requirements, your degree will be mailed.
Please make sure the University has the most current address on file. The Registrar will only mail degrees to the address on file. If you need to update your address, please do so ASAP through the Registrar’s Office.
| Registrar |
|
Tiffany Cooper Nakia Pugh |
| Student Accounts |
|
David Garnett 202-274-5168 |
Van Ness Campus
4200 Connecticut Ave. NW
Building 56, Suite 107
202-274-7213
studentlife@udc.edu
Percy Henry, III
Director of Student Life and Services
percy.henryiii@udc.edu
