Information for Guests Attending Commencement

Welcome, and congratulations on your graduate's remarkable achievement of earning a professional degree! Commencement is a significant event in a graduate's life and a celebration and acknowledgment of you—friends and family—who have provided guidance, care, and support to your graduate. We hope the information on this website will help you have the most enjoyable experience possible on this special day.

Schedule for Commencement Day

More information coming soon. Please revisit this page in Summer 2024!

• 8:30 - 8:45 am Graduates report to Moody Gardens Convention Center, Expo A
• 9:00 am ADA Guest Admittance, Expo C entrance
• 9:15 am Doors Open to General Seating, Expo B entrance
• 10:00 am Commencement ceremony begins, Expo B&C
• 10:00 am Commencement Live Stream (see details below)
• 12:00 pm Ceremony ends (estimated)

Ceremony

• Doors will open approximately 1 hour before the ceremony. The ceremony will be held at the Moody Gardens Convention Center, Expo Hall B&C starting at 10:00 am.
• All names will be called. The ceremony should take approximately 1.5-2 hours
• After the ceremony, please exit the Expo Hall South Lobby to congratulate your graduate. No entry to the North Lobby will be allowed.

Tickets

Tickets are not required for guests. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Doors will open to general seating at 9:15 am. Saved seats will be released 15 minutes before the procession begins and enforced by UTMB Police, security, and ushers. Doors will close if maximum capacity is reached. The Fire Marshall makes this decision.

Event Day Parking and Directions

Parking is available in the Moody Gardens Convention Center Parking Garage and surrounding lots as directed. Follow the directional signs upon entering the Moody Gardens property complex to the Convention Center Parking Garage.

Download & Print: Moody Gardens Parking Map

Directions: Moody Gardens Visitor Info - Maps and Directions

• Shortest Route: From I-45 south, exit 61st Street. Right on 61st Street and again on Jones Road. Right on Hope Boulevard to Moody Gardens.
• Via Seawall Boulevard Map: From I-45 South, exit 61st Street. Right on Seawall Blvd. Right on 81st Street. Left on Hope Boulevard to Moody Gardens.

Arrival and Seating

Tickets are not required for guests and seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Doors will open to general seating at 9:15 am. Saved seats will be released 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the procession and will be enforced by UTMB Police, security and ushers. Doors will close if maximum capacity is reached. This decision is made by the Fire Marshall.

Accommodation Requests

Graduate guests with disabilities should submit ADA-related accommodations at least 2 weeks before the ceremony date. Accessible seating is limited and advanced planning is highly recommended. We will make every effort to accommodate guests without advance accessible seating requests on the day of Commencement.

Submit: ADA Accommodation Requests

Hotel Accommodations

A room block for overnight accommodations for families and guests is available at the Moody Gardens Hotel and Conference Center. Please reserve your room by contacting the reservations department below and specify you are with the UTMB School of Health Professions Commencement.

• Rates - $187 (ask for UTMB School of Health Professions Commencement rate)
• Reservations - Must be made by July 25, 2024
• Location - One Hope Boulevard; Galveston, Texas 77554
• Phone - 409-741-8484
• Toll Free - 888-388-8484

Future Commencement Dates

• Friday, August 21, 2026
• Friday, August 20, 2027
• Friday, August 18, 2028
• Friday, August 17, 2029
• Friday, August 23, 2030