2024 SPAA Graduation Recognition Ceremony

Required Student RSVP for SPAA Graduate Recognition Ceremony

If you are a SPAA graduate, RSVP via the link below for the SPAA Graduate Recognition Ceremony. Even if you have already applied for graduation, you are required to register for the SPAA Graduate Recognition Ceremony. Family & friends who plan to attend this event do not need to RSVP.

RSVP Here! RSVP Here!

Saturday May 11th, 2024

8:30-9:30 AM

Burge Union | Forum CD

Each spring, the School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) hosts a graduation recognition ceremony to recognize the Undergraduate, Master, and Ph.D. students who graduated or are graduating during the current academic year (this includes Summer 2023, Fall 2023, and Spring 2024).

The School ceremony is free and family and friends are welcome to join you, but we ask that graduates (guests do not need to register) please register. The form to register will soon be available.

The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences also hosts a master's hooding ceremony, which will immediately follow the SPAA event. It is at 10:30 am at the Lied Center. That ceremony allows students to choose a faculty member for hooding. This link will take you to more information about that ceremony.

Frequently Asked Questions

This event celebrates graduates in the School of Public Affairs and Administration. If you graduated in the Summer of 2023, the Fall of 2023, or are graduating this Spring 2024, you are welcome.

Degrees/Programs Recognized:

Undergraduate degree in public administration
Undergraduate degree in law and society
Master of Public Administration
Master of Urban Planning
Ph.D. in Public Administration

The ceremony will start at 8:30 AM. We will have a complimentary continental breakfast available before the ceremony for graduates and family members. We anticipate being finished between 9:30 and 9:45 AM.

We are asking graduates to arrive at 8:00 AM in time to check in and get lined up in time for the processional.

The event is business or smart casual attire. We recommend undergraduates and master's students wear regalia, and Ph.D. students can wear business attire or regalia. If you do not have any, please know you are welcome regardless. Master's students will be hooded and are advised to bring those to the event.

The Burge Union is located in the central district of campus. 1565 Irving Hill Road, Lawrence 66045. See map at the bottom of the page.

Parking is available in two parking garages located near the Burge Union. The Allen Fieldhouse Garage or the Central District Parking Garage 1 are both recommended. The Central District Parking Garage 1 is attached to the Burge Union. Parking rates are paid through the Park Mobile app. View a map of campus parking through this link >>

Master's students will be hooded by the SPAA faculty at this School ceremony. Students are not able to request a particular faculty member to hood you.

There is a separate master's hooding ceremony hosted by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences immediately following the SPAA ceremony. That ceremony allows students to choose a faculty member for hooding if you make arrangements in advance.

The College's ceremony is immediately following the SPAA event at 10:30 AM at the Lied Center. This link will take you to the College graduation site for detailed information.

No. The University Ceremony takes place on Sunday, May 14 10:30 AM at the David Booth Memorial Stadium. More information is available at commencement.ku.edu.

How does hooding work?

Congratulations graduates! You've made it this far, and have just one more thing to do to get that master's degree - hooding! This video explains how to fold, drape, and hand off your hood to the faculty member. Special thanks to our guest stars, Jim Mielke and Helen Sangster!