2023 School of Medicine Commencement
When and where will the 2023 School of Medicine Commencement take place?
Saturday, May 13, 2023
5:00-7:00 P.M.
UTRGV Performing Arts Complex A
1201 West University Drive
Edinburg, TX 78539
Where can graduates and guests park?
Please reference this map for parking instructions.
What will my 2023 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.
- 2023 School of Medicine graduates will be guided to the right side of the stage where they will show their GradPass QR code to the UTRGV School of Medicine staff.
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 be photographed off-stage (photograph #3).
- Graduate will return to their seat.
- Graduates will have a formal recessional and exit the ceremony.
- Graduates can join their family and friends outside.
Will there be a processional and recessional as part of the 2023 School of Medicine Commencement?
Yes, the 2023 School of Medicine graduates will experience a processional and recessional.
Will seating be assigned for 2023 School of Medicine graduates?
The 2023 School of Medicine graduates will be seated in alphabetical order by last name.
Will there be a photographer at the 2023 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 Thursday, March 23, 2023. For questions or last-minute changes, call Jostens directly at (800) 854-7464.
- If students ordered their regalia by January 31, 2023, then your rental regalia will be ready for pick-up at the Edinburg Campus Store on Thursday, March 9th.
- If students ordered their regalia after January 31st, but by March 23, 2023, rental regalia pick-up will begin at the Edinburg Campus Store on Monday, May 8th.
- Graduating students are responsible for covering the cost of renting their regalia. Payment is not due until the regalia is picked up. Cost is $109.00 plus tax.
- If a graduating student would like to keep the rented regalia past Monday, May 15, the graduating student may purchase to keep the regalia (approximately $700).
- Please plan to return the rented regalia on site at the conclusion of the Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 13 or no later than Monday, May 15 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 2023 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 by emailing SOMCommencement@UTRGV.edu.
Would SOM Commencement be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather?
UTRGV consults with local weather experts to monitor forecasts during the days leading up to the commencement ceremony. In the event of any changes to ceremonies, notifications will be sent via campus email and social media 24 to 48 hours prior to allow students to plan accordingly.
Who can a 2023 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.
RSVP Process & Tickets
Do I have to RSVP for SOM commencement?
Yes. The 2023 School of Medicine graduates must RSVP by Monday, April 10, 2023 – 5:00 P.M. CST via Marching Orders.
How do I RSVP for commencement?
The 2023 School of Medicine graduates should have received an email from SOMCommencement@UTRGV.edu with the subject line: 2023 School of Medicine Commencement – RSVP & Create Your Slide! This email will provide instructions on how to create a graduating student profile via Marching Order, which is the first step that must be completed in order to be able to RSVP.
Graduating students must RSVP and “claim their tickets”, or in other words, indicate how many guest tickets they need (up to 16 tickets per graduate - 15 guest tickets) via Marching Order by Monday, April 10 – 5:00 P.M. CST.
May I change my RSVP answer after it has been submitted?
Yes, you may change your answer through Monday, April 10, 2023 – 5:00 P.M. CST. After this date, 2023 School of Medicine graduates will not be able to modify their RSVP and update their photo, grad message, and where they matched (listing your match location is optional).
How many guest tickets will a 2023 School of Medicine graduate be allotted?
Each 2023 School of Medicine graduate will be allowed to have up to 15 guests. Guests will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Where can 2023 School of Medicine graduates pick up tickets?
Tickets will be distributed electronically upon a graduate’s RSVP through the Marching Order portal. Once the number of tickets is claimed, graduating students will be able to print or email tickets to their guests. Each guest ticket has a designated unique QR code to identify them upon arrival at the ceremony. Guest seating will not be assigned.
Do my children under 10 years old need a ticket?
Yes. All guests from 0 years and up must have an electronic ticket to enter the ceremony.
Will any additional tickets become available?
If you would like to request any additional tickets, please email SOMCommencement@UTRGV.edu. If we determine additional tickets can be distributed, we will inform you at a later date. There is no guarantee that additional tickets will be distributed or that we will match the number of additional tickets you are requesting.
Faculty Frequently Asked Questions
When and where will the 2023 School of Medicine Commencement take place?
Saturday, May 13, 2023
5:00-7:00 P.M.
UTRGV Performing Arts Complex A
1201 West University Drive
Edinburg, TX 78539
Where can faculty and guests park?
Please reference this map for parking instructions.
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 28, 2023 to ensure we allocate enough seating for faculty in attendance.
Will seating be assigned for faculty and their guests at SOM Commencement?
Yes, faculty 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.
How do faculty pick up rented regalia for Commencement?
Faculty who ordered regalia by Thursday, March 23, 2023, will be able to pick up and pay for rented regalia by Monday, May 8, 2023, at the Edinburg Campus Store. Payment is required at pick-up. Cost is $109.00 plus tax.
Please plan to return the rented regalia on site at the conclusion of the Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 13 or no later than Monday, May 15 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
2023 Keynote Speaker

Julieta Villarreal García, Ph.D.
Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient; Professor, UTRGV Department of Communication; Former President, The University of Texas at Brownsville