Auditorium doors will open for guests at least one hour before each ceremony. Auditorium doors will close 10 minutes before the ceremony begins to clear the lobby and aisles to prepare for the academic procession (graduates and faculty marching in). The doors will reopen after the processional, national anthem and invocation (approximately 30 minutes). Late-arriving guests will be seated immediately following the invocation.
Ceremony for:
College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM)
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)Date
Friday, May 20, 2022
Time
9:30 a.m
Graduate Arrival: 8:00 a.m.
Guest Seating Begins: 8:30 a.m.
Doors Close: 9:20 a.m.Location
Pasadena Civic Auditorium (PCA)
300 E. Green St. Pasadena CA, 91101-2399
(626) 793-2122

Michael J Blackwell, DVM, MPH
Assistant Surgeon General, USPHS (Ret.)
Dr. Blackwell currently serves as the Director of the Program for Pet Health Equity at the University of Tennessee. He is the founder of AlignCare Health, a One Health interprofessional system to improve… Read More
- Order and try on your Regalia (cap & gown). We recommend hanging it to reduce wrinkles per the instructions provided in the packaging.
- Complete the Graduate Participation form (on Qualtrics) and submit a photo in full Regalia.
- Attend your college specific Commencement presentation (watch for an e-mail).
- Watch your e-mail for more information and COVID-19 requirements and updates.
- Bring your Regalia (gown, tam/cap, hood & tassel) to the ceremony. Unfortunately, we do not have extra items.
- GRADUATES RUNNING LATE
Please remember that commencement is mandatory for all graduates! If you are afraid you’re going to miss the start of the ceremony, take a deep breath, then call or text the emergency number and leave your name, program and what we can expect. Emergency phone number for graduates. Please note, this phone is only monitored May 18-20, 2022.
Emergency Number for Graduates
909-818-6922
- Tickets are required for all ceremonies and were already requested by the graduate via the ‘Graduate Participation Form’.
- We hope to provide each graduate six (6) guest tickets; however, the final number is dependent on COVID-19 restrictions. Final details will be announced to the graduate via e-mail.
- Tickets are required for all guests age two and older.
- FOR SAFETY REASONS, PLEASE OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING RESTRICTIONS
No signs, balloons, air-horns, strollers, bright camera lights or tripods permitted in the auditorium.
Graduates, please leave all “carry-along” items (purses, cell phones, electronic devices, books, flowers, etc.) with family members or securely in your car.
Graduates should not carry anything during the processional and will not be permitted to take personal belongings on stage. - FLOWER LEIS
Leis will be available for sale prior to the ceremony and graduates are permitted to wear one during the ceremony. Graduates will need to either carry the lei and hood over their arm or leave it in their seat while on stage*. Leis, or any other personal items, cannot be delivered or dropped off to Hall C to graduates and it is recommended that leis are gifted after the ceremony.
*with the exception of PharmD and DMD graduates who will be pre-hooded. - DOORS CLOSE 10 MINUTES BEFORE EACH CEREMONY
Auditorium doors will open for guests one hour before each ceremony. Auditorium doors will close 10 minutes before the ceremony begins to clear the lobby and aisles to prepare for the academic procession (graduates and faculty marching in).The doors will reopen after the processional, national anthem and invocation (approximately 30 minutes). Late arriving guests will be seated immediately following the invocation. - GRADUATES RUNNING LATE
Please remember that commencement is mandatory for all graduates! If you are afraid you’re going to miss the start of the ceremony, take a deep breath, then call or text the emergency number and leave your name, program and what we can expect. Emergency phone number for graduates. Call or text: (909) xxx-xxxx. Please note, this phone is only monitored May 18, 19 and 20, 2022. - END OF CEREMONY
Each ceremony will last approximately 2-3 hours. When making lunch/dinner reservations, allow for ample time for diploma pick-up and photos with guests following the ceremony. If you have completed all degree requirements, your diploma will be available for pick-up in Hall C (behind the Pasadena Civic Auditorium). You may also pick up your diploma on campus beginning the week of May 23, 2022 at the Office of the Registrar in the University Student Affairs Annex, second floor of the Harris Family Center for Disability and Health Policy (CDHP).
For your convenience we’ve provided a list of nearby hotels. There are a limited number of rooms blocked at a discounted rate and are on a first-come first-served basis. Please click the links below or call them directly for the rates.
399 E. Green Street
Pasadena, CA 91101
1-626-219-7162
Distance from Ceremony: 0.1 mile
Distance from Campus: 29 miles
168 S. Los Robles Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91101
1-626-577-1000
Distance from Ceremony: 1/2 miles
Distance from Campus: 27 miles
191 N. Lose Robles
Pasadena, CA 91101
1-866-837-4181
Distance from Ceremony: 1/2 mile
Distance from Campus: 27 miles
180 North Fair Oaks Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91103
1-626-403-7600
Distance from Ceremony: 1 mile
Distance from Campus: 28 miles
3500 E. Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91107
1-626-792-1363
Distance from Ceremony: 4.5 miles
Distance from Campus: 24 miles
- LOCAL RESTAURANTS
The Pasadena Civic Auditorium is located directly across E. Greet Street from the Paseo Colorado, a great place to shop and dine. Pasadena Chamber of Commerce has compiled a list of places to eat: Where to Eat in Pasadena.Each ceremony will last approximately 2-3 hours. When making lunch/dinner reservations, allow for ample time for the class photo, diploma pick-up, and photos with guests following the ceremony. - HOTEL PARKING
If you are staying at one of the Pasadena hotels, check with them regarding parking rates, and ask if they are within walking distance of the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. - NEARBY PARKING LOTS – Fee required at all lots
Paseo Colorado – Marengo Ave Parking Structure
155 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101
Paseo Colorado – Green Street Parking Structure
400 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101
Pasadena Civic Auditorium
175 South Euclid Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101
Plaza Centre
41s S Marengo Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105
- VALET PARKING – Fee required
Valet parking will be available at the entrance to the Civic Auditorium on Green Street. - OVERFLOW PARKING – Fee required at all lots
In the event that hotel, valet or nearby parking lots become full, overflow parking will be available at the Ameron Center Lot on the corner of Euclid and Cordova.*Parking fees may be subject to change
To request accommodations in advance, a graduate may indicate their needs when they complete the Graduate Participation Form. Please note, only graduates have access to the form.
Should you need to speak to anyone regarding your request, the friendly staff at the Harris Family Center for Disability and Health Policy (CDHP) are available to assist you. Please contact:
LaDonna Cash, Administrative Associate | (909) 469-5492
- WHEELCHAIR ASSISTANCE:
Wheelchairs will be on site for those who may need them, and seating has been reserved for wheelchair access. Staff will be available to help you to your seat should you or your guests need assistance. - DEAF/HARD OF HEARING:
Reserved seating has been set aside for anyone needing a sign language interpreter. Captioning and assistive listening devices can also be made available upon request. - BLIND/VISUALLY IMPAIRED:
Seating arrangements can be made for anyone with a visual impairment. - SERVICE ANIMALS:
Pets and other animals are not permitted with the exception of service animals (i.e. dogs and miniature horses) defined by the ADA as animals that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. Service animals are work animals, not pets. - OTHER NEEDS:
If you need other disability related accommodations, we will be happy to work with you.
Colleges planning an in-person or virtual celebration will contact their graduates directly with details.