Commencement

Commencement is held in Page Arena inside the Falcon Center on the campus of UW-River Falls. 

• 110 S. Main St., River Falls, WI 54022
• Campus Map
• Traffic Map

Empire Photography will take photos of each graduate as they receive their diploma. To receive your complementary proofs please register with Empire Photos.  

Proof are sent within 48 hours of the ceremony. If you can't find your proof, please contact Empire customer service.

• Students need to arrive 45 minutes before their ceremony begins.
• The Commencement ceremony last approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. This can vary depending upon the number of degree candidates participating in each ceremony.
• It is expected that degree candidates and their guests remain in the Falcon Center for the duration of the ceremony.

Graduates are encouraged to limit their guests to no more than six in Page Arena. For graduates with large families, you're welcome to invite additional guests to watch the ceremony in Hunt Arena via the large digital display. Hunt Arena is also located in the Falcon Center, just a few steps away from the entrance to Page Arena.

Accessible seating is available on the main floor behind the reserved seating for graduating students, as well as in the upper level on the east side of Page Arena. All bleachers on the west side of the arena have backrests. If you require special seating, please arrive at least 45 minutes before the ceremony to ensure a seat.

There are limited disabled parking spaces available. Parking attendants will be on duty prior to and during commencement to assist with these efforts. If you're in need of special parking arrangements, please call the University Police at 715-425-3133.

Logo apparel and personalized items make great gifts for grads! Visit the Falcon Shop to browse our selection. 

Families and guests should plan for traffic delays and congestion as they enter the Falcon Center parking area. Arrive early to avoid delays! Please view our traffic map for suggested routes.

Why isn't my student's name in the program?

We sincerely apologize if your student's name was inadvertently excluded from the printed Commencement program. We do our best to be sure as many students as possible are included. If your student's name is not included, there may be a few reasons:

• They did not apply to graduate by the print deadline. This deadline is listed on our website and announced throughout the term. If they don't apply, we don't know their name is missing. If they apply late, we unfortunately can't add their name to the program after it has been sent for the proof creation and to the printer.
• They have FERPA restrictions on their account. If we have not received any correspondence or information that they would like their name listed, we are required to remove their name from the printed list.

Remember, whether a student's name is in the printed program or not, they can still participate in the ceremony. Names are read from a reader card, not directly from the printed program. Reader cards are provided onsite the day of the ceremony by commencement staff and volunteers.