Join us for the 2024 SJMC Graduation Celebration!
You’ve put in the hours, you’ve done the work, now it’s time to celebrate! Join us on Friday, May 10 for an in-person celebration of all your hard work at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. The event will include individual recognition of each graduate, a special guest speaker, professional photography and plenty of opportunities for personal photos and socializing.
The event is free and open to all graduates, as well as your friends and family. No tickets or registration is required for guests. For those unable to attend in-person, a livestream of the event will be available.
Friday, May 10
Noon-2 p.m. CT
Wisconsin Institute for Discovery
H.F. DeLuca Forum
330 N Orchard Street
Livestream:
go.wisc.edu/sjmcgraduation
Graduating Students
To participate in the ceremony, please complete one of the forms below by Friday, April 26. The form helps us to get important information for the event, including pronunciation of your name, your photo and memories for a slideshow.
Featured Speaker: Deborah Blum (MA’82)
Deborah Blum (MA’82) is a Pulitzer Prize-winning science journalist and best-selling author as well as a former faculty member and alumna of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. A science writer with a long-standing interest in poison, Blum has published six books, including the New York Times bestseller The Poisoner’s Handbook and The Poison Squad, both of which eventually became PBS documentaries. She has also written about toxicology for a variety of outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, Time, Discover, Scientific American and The Guardian.
Blum graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism before coming to UW-Madison to complete her master’s in science journalism in 1982. She went on to work as a science writer for The Fresno Bee and later The Sacramento Bee. In 1992, while in Sacramento, Blum won a Pulitzer Prize in beat reporting for her series on the ethical issues surrounding primate research.
In 1997, Blum returned to the J-School as a professor of journalism and created a creative non-fiction class among others. Currently, Blum is the director of the Knight Science Journalism program at MIT, where she launched the award-winning science magazine, Undark, which aims to illuminate science and its complex, human story.
General Event Information
Parking
There are a variety of departmental graduation celebrations on May 10, so parking will be important to find early.
The following campus lots and structures are open for guest parking, and closest to The Discovery Building:
- Engineering Drive Ramp (Lot 17)
- University Avenue Ramp (Lot 20), across from The Discovery Building
- Union South Garage (Lot 80), behind The Discovery Building
FAQs
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What time does the ceremony start?
The graduation celebration will begin promptly at Noon. Graduates should expect to find their seats starting at 11:45 a.m.
What time should the graduates arrive?
Please plan to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the program to be seated.
When should family members and guests arrive?
Family members and guests are welcome to arrive any time after 10:30 a.m. to find a seat.
Do students need to wear their caps and gowns?
While it is not required, most students do wear their caps and gowns. Graduating students will be individually recognized and asked to walk across the stage to receive an SJMC alumni pin so the majority of students choose to wear their gowns for the occasion.
Will there be refreshments available?
Yes. Before and during the ceremony, water and lemonade will be available. After the ceremony, various light snacks will be served.
Do family members and guests need to register or RSVP?
No. This event is free and open to all graduates’ friends and family. No ticket or registration is required.
What if I can't attend in person?
If you are unable to attend our event in-person, a live stream of the event will be available at go.wisc.edu/sjmcgraduation.
Will there be professional photographs taken?
Yes, there will be professional photographers taking pictures throughout the event. They will be taking photos of the graduates as they cross the stage, which will be available for download after the event. There will also be various designated photo areas for graduates and families to have additional professional photos taken after the event.
Guests are welcome to take photos before and after the event but we ask that guests do not leave their seats to take photos in the DeLuca Forum as it can obstruct the view of other guests.