MCW Spring Graduation 2023

Doors will open at 12:30 p.m. The guest entrance is at 400 W. Kilbourn Avenue. Please note that Kilbourn Avenue will be closed to car traffic due to construction, but the sidewalks will be accessible that lead to the entrance.

The UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena is fully handicap accessible, with an elevator in the guest entrance (at 400 W. Kilbourn Avenue) that can bring them up to the concourse to access the seating.

There is ADA accessible seating that will be available in sections 200, 205, 210, 222 and 226. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m., and seating will be first come, first serve.

There is plenty of accessible seating, and the Panther Arena staff would be happy to help locate that seating for your family members when they arrive.

No – the Commencement Ceremonies are a first-come, first-serve basis and no tickets are required. The Panther Arena can accommodate over 8,000 guests.

Depending on traffic, it is approximately a 12-minute drive to get from the main MCW campus to the Panther Arena.

Plan ahead and reserve parking downtown through SpotHero near the Commencement Venue (400 W. Kilbourn Avenue, Milwaukee, WI). This will guarantee you a nearby parking spot and will be less expensive than paying for parking on the day of the ceremony.

Please also note that Kilbourn Avenue will be closed for car traffic on May 19; however, the building entrances and sidewalks for foot traffic on Kilbourn Ave. will remain open.

Reserve parking with SpotHero

MCW is pleased to welcome Julie A. Freischlag, MD, FACS, FRCSEd(Hon), DFSVS, MAMSE, chief academic officer and executive vice president of Advocate Health, chief executive officer of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and executive vice president for health affairs of Wake Forest University, as this year’s MCW Commencement keynote speaker.

The entire MCW community is invited to lend its support to the 2023 graduating students by attending the Ceremony in person, or virtually via MCW’s YouTube channel.

Watch the event live on YouTube on May 19

Students should report to the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena no later than 12:30 p.m., and should check in with their school leads. Student entrances are located on the left or right side of the main guest entrance at 400 W. Kilbourn Avenue. These entrances will bring you to the lower concourse for robing, and arrows will be on the floor to guide you to the right location. Please reference the attached map for your correct entrance.

View the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena Maps (PDF)

Students should return to their robing room location to receive their official diploma following the ceremony, and prior to meeting up with family and friends.

The Panther Arena concession stands will not be open during the MCW-Milwaukee Commencement Ceremony.

Face masks will not be required. Students and guests wishing to wear masks may do so at their discretion.

Professional photographers will be taking photos of each graduate at the ceremony. Guests should refrain from approaching the stage to take pictures or video during the ceremony. The ceremony can be viewed live or any time after.

Empire Photography will be there to take photos of the students crossing the stage, as well as robing before the ceremony and group shots throughout the event. These photos will be available to purchase. More information will be provided soon.

The commencement ceremony will last approximately two hours.

Hooders are asked to wear professional business attire. Academic regalia is only worn by the graduating students being hooded.

This is a formal event so professional dress or cocktail attire is recommended.