Gies Business Convocation information

Gies Senior Celebration: Saturday, May 11, 11:30 - 1:30 p.m., Colonnades Club, Memorial Stadium.  

We invite you and your family to join us for the Senior Celebration to recognize your many achievements. The reception will take place from 11:30 - 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 11th in the Colonnades Club at Memorial Stadium directly following the University-wide Commencement Ceremony.  Light refreshments will be available. We kindly ask that you RSVP for this event by Sunday, April 28.

Senior Celebration RSVP:  cglink.me/r434910

2019 Gies Business Convocation: Sunday, May 12, 2018, 5:30 – 8:00 p.m., State Farm Center, 1800 South 1^st Street, Champaign, IL 61820

Prior to Convocation

Namecards: fillable PDF instructions 

• You MUST fill out the linked PDF form, and bring it with you to the convocation ceremony.
  • Type your responses into the PDF form and print on standard 8.5x11 sheet of white paper. Do NOT hand write your responses.
  • Do NOT fold or cut this paper.
  • Only include the phonetic first and last name if the name may be difficult to pronounce. Write the phonetic name as it is intended to sound. For example, the name Sophia Jimenez would be written as “So-fee-uh” “Him-en-ez”.
  • If you are a dual degree student, you will need to complete two separate namecards as you will cross the stage twice and need to have a namecard each time.

Pre-Convocation photographs: will be taken by Grad Images, gradimages.com on Friday, May 10^th from Noon – 6 p.m. in the BIF courtyard. (Inclement weather location- 1025 BIF)

Regalia pick up times:
Academic rental attire is ordered at herffjones.com/illinois. After placing your order, you will have the opportunity to print a receipt. Please present the receipt when you pick up the apparel.

Academic Attire will be distributed in the ARC Gym 1 at the following times:

Students are strongly advised to pick up academic attire before Saturday, May 11^th. (Gown will be folded and may require steaming (do not iron).

Present receipt when picking up academic attire. Bronze Tablet students must request their cord at this time if they did not attend the Bronze Tablet reception in early May.

If you cannot pick up your academic attire at one of the scheduled times, you may arrange for someone else to do so; that person should present your order confirmation. Rental fees must be paid in full by cash or credit card only for those that did not place an order online by the April 24 deadline.

*****Academic attire will not be distributed after 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 12.

Gies Business Convocation

• Students Report: to east tunnel of State Farm Center at 4:45 p.m.
• You MUST wear your cap, gown, and College of Business drab colored tassel. You are NOT permitted to bring anything into the tunnel with you (ie. Purses, bags, backpacks, shopping bags, cameras, etc.) A Security check is required by the State Farm staff. They will request you to unzip your gown as a safety precaution.
• Phones must be turned off/SILENT, not vibrate.
• Bring copy of filled in namecard.
• The ceremony will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. Please arrive by 4:45 p.m. in order to be ready for the ceremony.
• The ceremony will end by 8:00 p.m.; plan to meet your family outside. Gies Business is the last ceremony of the day.
• Photographs will be taken by Grad Images. Photos will be available for viewing and ordering at: gradimages.com
• Accessible parking: Spaces are located in each area of State Farm Center Parking Lots.
• Accessible entrances: All entrances to State Farm Center are accessible.
• Accessible seating: State Farm Center Ushers will be present to direct to accessible seating areas.
• For more details, visit the website at giesbusiness.illinois.edu/convocation.

After Convocation

Regalia Return Times:

Following the University wide Commencement ceremony and/or unit convocation, you must return your rented academic attire. Herff Jones representatives will accept rented academic attire at the ARC Gym 1 at the following times:

Diplomas will be mailed to May 2019 graduates by mid-July.

University-wide Commencement

Gies Business Candidates are invited to participate in the University-wide Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 11^th.  Tickets are required for this event.  

Details for this ceremony can be found: commencement.illinois.edu

Congratulations Class of 2019. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Affairs in 1055 BIF, 217.333.2740, or Undergrads@business.illinois.edu.