Commencement Ceremony 2023
COLA Ceremony
Date: Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Moody Center
Contact: colacommencement@austin.utexas.edu
This ceremony is only for all COLA undergrads who do not have a departmental ceremony
Timeline of Evening
4:30 PM – Plaza Party in front of Moody Center
5:00 PM – Doors open for guests
5:00 PM – Graduate check in begins
5:45 PM - Last graduate checked in
6:00 PM – Ceremony begins
8:30 PM – Estimated ceremony end time
Live Stream
The ceremony will be live streamed. The live stream will start at 6 p.m. on May 4 at this link: https://virtualmeeting.la.utexas.edu/meet/2023-cola-graduation
Tickets
Tickets are mandatory for all guests over the age of 2 at the Moody Center. All graduates should have received their link to request tickets. Tickets can be accessed in your portal at any time.
If you plan to also attend the university-wide ceremony, this event has separate ticketing. Learn more about ticketing for the evening university-wide ceremony on the UT event site.
Plaza Party
Join us on the main plaza in front of the Moody Center (across from DKR) from 4:30-5pm for some music, photo opportunities for you and your guests and a chance to mingle with COLA Faculty.
Graduate Arrival + Check In
Please arrive no later than 5 p.m. Graduates may start lining up at 4:30 p.m. Graduates must be checked-in by 5:45 p.m. Graduates arriving after 6 p.m. will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony.
Graduates will check-in in the loading dock of the Moody Center and then head directly to the
floor to find their seats. Please refer to this map for directions to the loading dock and details
for your arrival. The Loading Dock entrance includes a more than 50-yard declining walkway that will lead graduates to their college and school gathering area. Low-heeled or flat shoes with traction are recommended.
Graduates must arrive dressed and ready in regalia.
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Personal Items
Graduates should not bring personal items such as purses or coats to the ceremony. There is no secure area in which to leave them. We recommend carrying cell phones and keys on wrist bands or in clothing with pockets.
Guest Arrival
All guests will need a ticket to enter the Moody Center and will have to go through security screening at the entrances. All seats will be first come first served.
Accommodations
A separate was already sent to all graduates who requested accommodations for themselves or their guests.
Commencement Program
View or download to 2023 College of Liberal Arts Commencement Program.
Speakers
Bianna Golodryga
CNN Senior Global Affairs Analyst
Born in the former Soviet republic of Moldova, Golodgryga came to the U.S. as an infant and was raised in Houston, Texas. She received her bachelor’s degree in Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies with a minor in economics from The University of Texas at Austin in 2000, and has led a distinguished career as a television reporter, news anchor, and analyst.
She was news and finance anchor at Yahoo! News, co-anchor of the weekend edition of Good Morning America on ABC, and co-host of CBS This Morning. Golodryga has covered major news stories such as the Las Vegas concert shooting, the funeral of former first lady Barbara Bush, and the president’s historic 2018 summit with Vladimir Putin. Prior to her career in television, she worked in the financial services sector.
Golodryga has received several awards, including the Keystone Policy Center Leadership Award, The University of Texas at Austin Pro Bene Meritis Award, and an Emmy Award for Outstanding Morning Program for Good Morning America. She is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Joseph Kudler
Government and French ‘23
Joseph Kudler, who grew up in both White Plains, New York and League City, Texas, is graduating this year with degrees in both Government and French as well as a minor in history. At UT Austin, he has served in a number of service roles, including Vice President of the Liberal Arts Council (LAC), Resident Assistant at the 2400 Nueces student residence, Co-Director of Hook the Vote, and co-founder of the UT Water Accessibility Initiative. During his term as Vice President of the LAC, he formulated a nine-page report on the State of Civic Engagement/Affairs at UT, worked with campus representatives to improve wheelchair and other accessibility issues at the Perry Castaneda Library, and served as the LAC’s representative on the student senate.
Parking
Manor Garage is the closest parking garage to the Moody Center. Parking will be first come first served. https://commencement.utexas.edu/content/parking
Photography
The University coordinates professional photos of each graduation candidate as he or she walks across the stage to be congratulated during COLA ceremonies. Graduates and families have the option of purchasing photographs. There is no obligation to do so. Flash Photography provides free color proofs to each graduate. Proofs are mailed to the permanent address within two weeks of graduation. If you do not receive your proof, or if you wish to place your order by phone or email, please contact Flash Photography at 1-800-410-8070 or at flashphotography.com
Venue Policies
Bags
For the health and safety of all guests, and to expedite the entry process, Moody Center requests that guests do not bring a bag to the arena. We strongly urge all graduates and guests not to bring bags to any ceremony unless they are absolutely necessary. A Clear Bag Policy is in effect to enhance existing security measures and expedite venue entry at Moody Center.
Approved Bags include:
- Bags that are clear plastic and do not exceed 14" x 14" x 6"
- One-gallon clear resealable plastic storage bags
- Non-clear clutch bags or wallets must not exceed 5" x 9" x 1.5"
Prohibited bags include:
Any and all bags that do not meet the criteria above including back packs, grocery totes, mesh or straw bags, duffle bags, diaper bags**, camera/binocular cases, and any other bags that arena staff deem to not meet the clear bag policy.
**Items normally carried in a diaper bag must be placed into a clear plastic bag for entry.
Metal Detectors
Walk-through metal detectors are located at every arena entrance. In order to increase the efficiency of this process, guests should minimize the number of personal items they bring and remove any items that may trigger the alarm before walking through the detectors. If an alarm sounds, the guest will be subject to a secondary screening.
Prohibited items and activities
Items include artificial noisemakers, large bags (see clear bag policy above), banners, flags, selfie sticks, umbrellas, cameras with detachable lenses greater than 10", GoPros, video cameras, camera tripods, drones, balloons, flowers in vases (flower bouquets are OK), outside food and beverages, coolers, pets (except service dogs), wagons, explosive and flammable materials, and any and all weapons (see Weapons Policy – SEC-E-513), tobacco products, alcohol, and bottles or cans of any kind, shape, or size, regardless of material and regardless of empty or full. Strollers need to be checked in at the West Gate.
Suspicious activity, disruptive patrons and guest-related problems should be reported to an usher or police officer immediately. After the event, please email info@moodycenteratx.com with all event day-related questions or concerns.