Students planning to graduate at the end of the semester can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Graduate and undergraduate students will be able to walk the stage in person from April 29 to May 22, according to UB’s commencement website. The festivities will kick off the day before, with a recognition for veterans and military members at 145 Student Union. Then, the Center for the Arts, Slee Hall, Alumni Arena and the Student Union will play host to nearly two dozen ceremonies and events.
This will be the third commencement weekend UB has held since the start of the pandemic. UB held in-person ceremonies — on top of online celebrations — for 2020 graduates in early October, roughly 16 months after their intended graduation, due to COVID-19 difficulties. The university also held in-person ceremonies for 2021 graduates in May in multiple indoor and outdoor venues.
The Jacobs School of Medicine is up first up on the docket, while the College of Arts and Sciences will close out the weekend.
UB will host university-wide recognition and certificate ceremonies throughout the graduation month to recognize students who went above and beyond while at UB.
A full schedule of events can be found below:
Tuesday, April 28 — Veterans and Military Recognition — 145 Student Union
Friday, April 29 — Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences — Center for the Arts
Friday, May 6 — School of Dental Medicine — Center for the Arts
Friday, May 13 — Lavender Ceremony — Student Union
Saturday, May 14 — School of Law — Center for the Arts
Wednesday, May 18 — Educational Opportunity Center — Slee Hall
Thursday, May 19 — ALANA Celebration of Achievement — Center for the Arts
Thursday, May 19 — University Honors College — Center for the Arts
Friday, May 20 — Graduate School of Education — Center for the Arts
Friday, May 20 — School of Nursing — Center for the Arts
Friday, May 20 — College of Arts and Sciences — Graduate — Center for the Arts
Friday, May 20 — School of Engineering and Applied Sciences — Graduate — Alumni Arena
Friday, May 20 — School of Architecture and Planning — Center for the Arts
Friday, May 20 — School of Management — Graduate — Alumni Arena
Saturday, May 21 — School of Social Work — Center for the Arts
Saturday, May 21 — School of Management — Undergraduate — Alumni Arena
Saturday, May 21 — School of Engineering and Applied Sciences — Undergraduate — Alumni Arena
Saturday, May 21 — School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences — Center for the Arts
Saturday, May 21 — School of Public Health and Health Professions — Alumni Arena
Sunday, May 22 — Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences — Undergraduate and Graduate
Sunday, May 22 — College of Arts and Sciences — Alumni Arena
As of Feb. 9, UB says it plans on requiring proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition to attending the in-person ceremonies. It is unclear if Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Wednesday announcement that New York State is waiving vaccine requirements for businesses will have any impact on that mandate.
Dan Eastman is the assistant managing editor and can be reached at danielson.eastman@ubspectrum.com
Dan Eastman is the assistant managing editor at The Spectrum. He is a senior geography major who loves Starbucks iced americano. When he isn’t writing and editing he is trying to find the best donut and cookie shops in Buffalo. He can be found on Twitter @TheEastMan2000.
