The University of Vermont will hold its 223rd commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 19—and for most of the UVM Class of 2024, it will be a long overdue first graduation ceremony.

That’s because UVM’s undergraduate Class of 2024 completed high school at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Most had their high school graduation ceremonies canceled—or moved online—as health officials restricted large gatherings to limit the disease’s spread.

“This outstanding cohort of Catamounts missed their high school graduation and first-year Convocation due to the pandemic, which makes it all the more important to honor them and celebrate with their families at Commencement,” says UVM President Suresh Garimella. “The UVM Class of 2024 is talented and resilient, sharing a lifelong commitment to making meaningful contributions for people and planet. We are eager to welcome them into UVM’s global alumni community that is over 120,000 strong.”

UVM will confer degrees on an estimated 3,412 graduates from 33 countries and 46 U.S. states. This includes approximately 2,638 bachelors, 493 masters, 133 doctoral, and 122 medical degree recipients. The graduating class includes roughly 969 Vermonters and 464 students of color.

The University Commencement—where degrees are conferred—will start Sunday, May 19 at 9 a.m. on the historic University Green and will happen rain or shine. Dressed in full regalia, speakers will include President Garimella, chair of UVM’s Board of Trustees Ron Lumbra, and student and faculty leaders. Other highlights will include the Outstanding Student Leader Awards, the University Brass Band and Choir, Celtic pipers and drummers, and UVM Police Services’ Honor Guard. Keeping with tradition, the event will culminate with graduates collectively moving the tassels on their caps—many brightly decorated—from right to left.

Two exceptional individuals will receive honorary degrees at Commencement: Beverly Rubenstein, whose lifelong commitment to advancing environment education at UVM and beyond and $15M gift with her late husband Steve resulted in the naming of the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, and Wolfgang Mieder, UVM distinguished professor emeritus of German and Folklore, an internationally renowned expert on proverbs, folk songs, and fairy tales.

While ceremonies for the Graduate College and Leahy Honors College will occur Saturday, all other UVM college and school celebrations will happen throughout the day on Sunday. View the full Commencement weekend schedule. All ceremonies will be live-streamed at https://www.uvmcommencement.com/.

In an era of rising costs, UVM’s Class of 2024 benefitted from UVM’s tuition freeze, which held the cost of UVM tuition and fees level for five years. The tuition freeze remains in place for Vermonters into the coming academic year as part of an ongoing commitment to keep UVM affordable and accessible for students and families in Vermont and across the nation.

After graduation, the Class of 2024 will be eligible for the Green Mountain Job and Retention Program, a partnership between the State of Vermont, UVM, and the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC), offering $5,000 to graduates from Vermont’s universities and colleges who stay to live and work in Vermont for at least two years.

Each year, over 1,100 UVM graduates stay to live and work in Vermont, with 4,400 Catamounts joining the state’s workforce over the last four years. This growing number illustrates UVM’s role as the largest talent magnet in the state. The skills and experience of UVM graduates are critical to our state’s workforce and overall economic vitality.

Street Closings

• University Place, from Colchester Avenue to Main Street, will be closed from Friday, May 17 at 7 a.m. until Monday, May 20 at 4 p.m.
• South Prospect Street, from College Street to the University Health Center entrance, will be closed starting Friday, May 17 at 7 p.m. to Sunday, May 19 at approximately 9 p.m.
• South Prospect Street, from Colchester Avenue to Main Street, and College Street, from South Prospect Street to South Williams Street, will be closed Sunday, May 19, from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. The northernmost westbound lane on Main Street from University Heights Road to South Prospect Street will also be closed.

Severe Weather

• University Commencement will be held rain or shine. If severe weather is expected Sunday, an updated commencement plan will be posted on UVM’s Commencement website by 1 p.m. on Saturday.

For updates and more information, including a full schedule, parking locations, and shuttle bus routes, please visit www.uvm.edu/commencement.