2024 School of Medicine Commencement
When and where will the School of Medicine Commencement take place?
Saturday, May 4, 2024
5:00-7:00 P.M. CDT
UTRGV Performing Arts Complex A
1201 West University Drive
Edinburg, TX 78539
Where can attendees park?
Please reference this map for parking instructions.
What will the School of Medicine Commencement ceremony look like?
- Graduates will have a processional into the ceremony and will be directed to sit in the graduate seating area in alphabetical order by last name.
- The ceremony Order of Exercise will begin.
- UTRGV Leadership and our invited Keynote Speaker will make remarks.
- School of Medicine graduates will be guided to the right side of the stage where they will line up for their walk across the stage.
Presentation of Graduates on Stage:
- Graduate’s name will be called, and graduate will walk on stage.
- Graduate will be hooded (photograph #1).
- Graduate will be handed their diploma (photograph #2)
- Graduate will exit the stage.
- Graduate will return to their seat.
- Graduates will have a formal recessional and exit the ceremony.
- Graduates will then be led into the Choir room for a group photo.
- Graduates can join their family and friends outside.
Will there be a processional and recessional as part of the School of Medicine Commencement?
Yes, the School of Medicine graduates will experience a processional and recessional.
Will seating be assigned for School of Medicine graduates?
The School of Medicine graduates will be seated in alphabetical order by last name. Guest seating is on a first come, first-serve basis.
Will there be a photographer at the School of Medicine Commencement, and will graduates be able to buy their Commencement photos?
GradImages® is proud to be the official commencement photographer for The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley! Finding your photos after the event is easy. You will receive your free photo proofs via email 7 to 14 business days after the event, or you can search for your images on www.gradimages.com.
Questions? Please contact the GradImages Customer Service Department at (800) 261-2576 or ecc.giservice@gradimages.net.
Will Commencement regalia be required for the event?
Yes, all graduating students must wear full regalia to participate in SOM Commencement.
- The deadline to order regalia was Wednesday, January 31, 2024. For questions or last-minute changes, call Jostens directly at (800) 854-7464.
- If students ordered their regalia by January 31, 2024, then your rental regalia is ready for pick-up at the Edinburg Campus Store as of Monday, March 11th.
- Graduating students are responsible for covering the cost of renting their regalia. Payment is not due until the regalia is picked up. Cost is $112.00 plus tax.
- Please plan to return the rented regalia on site at the conclusion of the Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 4th or no later than Monday, May 6th at the Edinburg Campus Store.
- For questions about pick-up, payment or returns, contact UTRGV Campus Store in Edinburg:
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- Edinburg = Email: 1618mgr@follett.com Phone: (956) 665-2252
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How should regalia be worn?
Please review the video link on: How-To Wear Your Graduation Regalia
Will the School of Medicine Commencement be streamed live?
Yes. Guests unable to attend the in-person ceremony may view the ceremony at utrgv.edu/SOMgrad.
Will seating accommodations be provided if needed for our guests?
Yes. Graduates may request accommodations via the RSVP link in the official invitation. If you have any questions, please contact SOMCommencement@UTRGV.edu.
Would SOM Commencement be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather?
UTRGV consults local weather experts to monitor forecasts during the days leading up to the commencement ceremony. In the event of any changes due to inclement weather, notifications will be sent via email and social media 24 to 48 hours prior to allow students to plan accordingly.
Who can a School of Medicine graduate contact for questions or comments?
If you have questions or concerns, please visit UTRGV.edu/SOMgrad or email SOMCommencement@UTRGV.edu.
What is the dress code for SOM commencement?
Business casual.
Student RSVP Process & Event Check-In
How do I RSVP for SOM commencement?
The School of Medicine graduates should have received an electronic invitation from SOMCommencement@utrgv.edu with the subject line: 2024 School of Medicine Commencement – RSVP & Create Your Slide! This email provides instructions on how to submit the content for your Student Grad Slide and an RSVP link. We kindly ask that you please let us know whether you are planning to attend or not attend by Monday, April 15, 2024, 5:00 p.m. CDT.
Do I have to RSVP for SOM commencement?
Yes, we kindly ask that you please let us know whether you are planning to attend or not attend. RSVPing on time will help us plan the best possible experience for all our guests. It will also prevent you from receiving follow-up reminders to complete the RSVP form. RSVPs will be due by Monday, April 15, 2024, 5:00 p.m. CDT.
If I am not able to attend, do I still need to complete the RSVP form?
Yes, we kindly ask that you please let us know whether you are planning to attend or not attend. RSVPing on time will help us plan the best possible experience for all our guests. It will also prevent you from receiving follow-up reminders to complete the RSVP form. RSVPs will be due by Monday, April 15, 2024, 5:00 p.m. CDT.
How many guests will a School of Medicine graduate be able to invite to the event?
Every graduating student will be allowed to invite 15 guests. To provide the best experience for all guests, we have carefully planned arrangements to accommodate our students and their guests.
If you would like to request inviting additional guests, please indicate on the RSVP provided on the invitation. If we determine additional guests can be accommodated, we will inform you at a later date. There is no guarantee that additional guests will be able to be added or that we will match the number of additional guests you are requesting. If you have any questions, please email SOMCommencement@UTRGV.edu.
Please make sure that you direct guests to the UTRGV School of Medicine 2024 Commencement website for all info related to the event.
Will there be tickets for SOM commencement?
Physical tickets will not be issued for SOM Commencement. Instead, School of Medicine students will check-in at a designated room before the event. An email will be sent to students with details closer to the event.
Guests will not require tickets and guest seating is on a first come, first-serve basis.
Do children under 10 years old count as one of my guest RSVPs?
Yes. All guests from 0 years and up must be included in your RSVP count.
Faculty Frequently Asked Questions
Are faculty required to RSVP to attend Commencement?
Yes, we ask faculty to please RSVP using the RSVP link provided in the invitation sent via email by Friday, April 19, 2024, to ensure we allocate enough seating for faculty in attendance.
Will seating be assigned for faculty and their guests at SOM Commencement?
Yes, faculty and their guests will have a designated section at the SOM Commencement. Instructions will be provided at the event.
Will Commencement regalia be required for the event?
Yes, all faculty participating in commencement must wear full regalia to participate in the ceremony. Reminder, that in order for faculty to participate in the event, they must have RSVP’d by Friday, April 19, 2024. Faculty attending without regalia will be seated in a section in the auditorium reserved for faculty.
How do faculty pick up rented regalia for Commencement?
Faculty who ordered regalia by Thursday, March 21, 2024, will be able to pick up and pay for rented regalia by Monday, May 6, 2024, at the Edinburg Campus Store. Payment is required at pick-up. Cost is $112.00 plus tax.
Please plan to return the rented regalia on site at the conclusion of the Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 4th or no later than Monday, May 6th at the Edinburg Campus Store. If faculty would like to keep the rented regalia past Monday, May 15, faculty may purchase to keep the regalia (approximately $700).
For questions or last-minute changes, call Jostens directly at (800) 854-7464.
For questions related to pick up, payment, and returns of regalia, contact the UTRGV Campus Store in Edinburg at 1618mgr@follett.com or (956) 665-2252.
Please reference FAQs at the top of the page for additional questions pertaining to SOM Commencement.
For other Commencement questions, contact the SOM Faculty Affairs at somfacultyaffairs@UTRGV.edu.
School of Medicine Dean
Michael B. Hocker, M.D., M.H.S.
Dean, UTRGV School of Medicine
Senior Vice President, UT Health RGV
2024 Keynote Speaker
Amelie G. Ramirez, Dr.P.H., M.P.H.
Chair and Professor of Population Health Sciences and Director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio; and Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics