News archives 2010-2021

Commencement this weekend

April 26, 2021

Carla Browning

UAF will celebrate its 99th commencement this weekend. There are a host of activities on campus leading up to the big day, and we hope you'll be able to come out to support our graduates during the graduate car parade around the campus. Nearly 200 students have signed up for the in-person option.

In-person ceremony and car parade
The in-person ceremony will take place at approximately 11 a.m. Saturday, May 1, in the Patty Center parking area and will last about an hour. This ticketed event is open only to graduates who signed up beforehand and those they bring with them in their car. This event will be immediately followed by a 2-mile graduate car parade around the campus. The event will be webstreamed on YouTube.

  • Graduates need to arrive between 9:30-10:20 a.m. via Morris Thompson Drive.

  • There will be no through traffic on Tanana Loop in front of the Patty Center from 9:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

  • Staff, faculty and students who want to cheer along the parade route should arrive around 11:30 a.m. The roads getting onto campus will close at 11:45 a.m. for the parade.


The 2-mile parade around campus will begin about noon. Groups interested in staging a cheering section are welcome to stand anywhere along the parade route from the roundabout to Farmers Loop. Please have someone identified to manage the gathering and help provide information to passersby. We currently have groups planning to stage on Koyukuk Drive, MBS residence halls, the Reichardt Building and the Fine Arts Complex. 


It's good to spread out along the route, especially toward the end where graduates will exit at Farmers Loop. If you are interested in participating anywhere along the parade route, please sign up to let us know.

Arctic Java, in Wood Center, will be open 9 a.m-12:30 p.m. Saturday Graduation Day special includes any 16-oz. espresso drink and a slice of banana bread for $3.50. Campus Cache will be open 10 a.m-3:30 p.m. to students and employees. The Bookstore will be open from noon-3 p.m. in case you'd like to stop in for a snack or last-minute graduation gift or card after the parade.

Help celebrate the Class of 2021 during the virtual ceremony
The full commencement ceremony will be virtual this year and take place Saturday, May 1 at 4 p.m. Please join us to congratulate graduates as their names are called.

The event will include many of the elements of a traditional commencement ceremony. Graduate slides are separated by school and college and then alphabetically this year. A program will be available on the commencement website so you can follow along. You do not need a Facebook page to watch the event.

Finally, feel free to download graphics to post and share or a signature graphic for your email next week.

Whether in-person or online, we're looking forward to seeing and congratulating our graduates this year!