Frequently Asked Questions

Saturday, May 10, 2025
5:00-7:00 P.M. CDT

The UTRGV Performing Arts Complex A
1201 West University Drive
Edinburg, TX 78539

Commencement Map

Please reference this map for parking instructions.

• 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.

Yes, the School of Medicine graduates will experience a processional and recessional.

The School of Medicine graduates will be seated in alphabetical order by last name. Guest seating is on a first come, first-serve basis.

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.

All graduating students must wear full regalia to participate in SOM Commencement.

• The deadline to order regalia was Thursday, February 13, 2025. For questions or last-minute changes, call Jostens directly at (800) 854-7464. 
• SOM Class of 2025 students’ rental regalia will be ready for pick-up at the Edinburg Campus Store on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, thru Friday, May 9, 2025, 1:00 p.m. 
• The Edinburg Campus Store will also have a table at Match Day on Friday, March 21, 2025 to pick-up regalia after the event until 12:30 p.m. 
• Reminder, payment is required at pick-up.  The cost is $130 plus tax.  Campus Store will only be accepting cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay - no cash or checks will be accepted on Match Day.   
• Anyone can pick up the regalia as long as they provide payment upon pick up.  
• Please plan to return the rented regalia on site at the conclusion of the Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 10th or no later than Monday, May 12th at the Edinburg Campus Store. Please note the store closes at 1:00 p.m. 
• For questions about pick-up, payment or returns, contact UTRGV Campus Store in Edinburg at 1618mgr@follett.com or (956) 665-2252. 

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  If your parents or siblings will be hooding you at SOM Commencement, regalia is required for them to participate in the event.  They must be a physician (MD/DO degree) to hood you at SOM Commencement.  If they do not have regalia from their alma mater, they can rent regalia from Jostens. The Jostens order deadline is Friday, March 21, 2025. We will provide more details about thier regalia with our SOM Commencement communications. Please contact somcommencement@utrgv.edu with any questions.  

  For questions, contact Josten's Customer Service at 1-800-854-7464 or Jostens.com/help.  

Please review the video link on: How-To Wear Your Graduation Regalia

Yes. Guests unable to attend the in-person ceremony may view the ceremony at utrgv.edu/SOMgrad.

Yes. Graduates may request accommodations via the RSVP link in the official invitation. If you have any questions, please contact SOMCommencement@UTRGV.edu.

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.

If you have questions or concerns, please visit UTRGV.edu/SOMgrad or email SOMCommencement@UTRGV.edu.

Business casual.

The School of Medicine graduates should have received an electronic invitation from SOMCommencement@utrgv.edu with the subject line: UTRGV School of Medicine 2025 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 Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 5:00 p.m. CDT.

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 Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 5:00 p.m. CDT. 

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 Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 5:00 p.m. CDT.

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 2025 Commencement website for all info related to the event.

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.

Yes. All guests from 0 years and up must be included in your RSVP count.

If you choose to not attend in-person, you may enjoy the ceremony via live stream at UTRGV.edu/SOMgrad. Your name will not be announced at the live ceremony.

However, your grad slide will be provided to you by the Office of Student Affairs after the event.

The School of Medicine graduates should have received an electronic invitation from SOMCommencement@utrgv.edu with the subject line: UTRGV School of Medicine 2025 Commencement – RSVP & Create Your Slide! This email provides instructions on how to submit the content for your Student Grad Slide and an RSVP link. All grad slide content must be completed and submitted by Monday, April 7, 2025, 5:00 p.m. CDT.

Your personal slide will include your photo, full name, Doctor of Medicine, and where you matched (however, match information is optional). If the graduating student does not submit a photo and residency match information by Monday, April 7, 2025 – 5:00 P.M. CDT, only their name, Doctor of Medicine, and photo on file will be displayed on the screen.

Disclaimer: The graduate photos included in our ceremony slides were provided by the graduates themselves, and do not represent the viewpoints, opinions, policies, or positions of either UTRGV or its faculty or staff.

UTRGV reserves the right to exercise discretion in excluding graduate pictures that fall under any of the following categories:

• Trademarked or branded material
• Containing personal contact information
• Soliciting goods or services for a personal or business venture
• Promoting sponsorship or affiliation with a political, religious, or social organization
• Containing references to alcohol or illegal substances
• Containing references to guns or weapons;
• Containing depiction of violence, injury, or death
• Containing depictions of illegal behavior, such as illegal drug consumption
• Obscene or lewd nature, swim wear, and intimate apparel
• Memes or photos with social media filters
• Statements or depictions which violate ADM 02-300 Speech, Expression and Assembly.

NOTE, you might be contacted by a member of Student Affairs requesting "ACCESS" to your photo, depending on how the file is uploaded.

Disclaimer: The personal graduate photos included in our ceremony slides were provided by the graduates themselves, and do not represent the viewpoints, opinions, policies, or positions of either UTRGV or its faculty or staff.

Your personal slide will include your photo, full name, Doctor of Medicine, and where you matched (however, match information is optional). If the graduating student does not submit a photo and residency match information by Monday, April 7, 2025 – 5:00 P.M. CDT, only their name, Doctor of Medicine, and photo on file will be displayed on the screen.

Disclaimer: The personal graduate photos included in our ceremony slides were provided by the graduates themselves, and do not represent the viewpoints, opinions, policies, or positions of either UTRGV or its faculty or staff.

Wearing a cap and gown along with any other regalia is encouraged for the photo, but it is optional.

No. Only pictures of you and/or your family will be accepted. Uploading a picture is optional. If your photo falls under one of the restriction categories (See FAQ question “Are there any restrictions on the types of pictures a graduate can submit?), only your name and degree information will be displayed.

By submitting a photo with other individuals to the grad slide form, you are acknowledging that you have permission to use the image, including expressed consent by any party shown in the image, other than yourself.

Your grad slide will be provided to you from the Office of Student Affairs after the event. For questions regarding your slide, contact the Office of Student Affairs at MDStudentAffairs@utrgv.edu.

Yes, School of Medicine graduate names and hometowns will be displayed in the School of Medicine Commencement program that will be available at UTRGV.edu/SOMgrad.

No, the commencement program will be available online at UTRGV.edu/SOMgrad prior to the Commencement ceremony.

Yes, we ask faculty to please RSVP using the RSVP link provided in the invitation sent via email by Friday, April 25, 2025, to ensure we allocate enough seating for faculty in attendance.

Yes, faculty and their guests will have a designated section at the SOM Commencement. Instructions will be provided at 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 25, 2025. Faculty attending without regalia will be seated in a section in the auditorium reserved for faculty.

Faculty who ordered regalia by Friday, March 21, 2025, will be able to pick up and pay for rented regalia starting on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, thru Friday, May 9, 2025, 1:00 p.m. at the Edinburg Campus Store. Payment is required at pick-up. Cost is $130.00 plus tax.

Please plan to return the rented regalia on site at the conclusion of the Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 10th or no later than Monday, May 12th at the Edinburg Campus Store. Please note the store closes at 1:00 p.m.

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.