2026 Commencement

When
May 16, 2026, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where
Northrop

Carlson Family Stage
84 Church St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Commencement 2026

The University of Minnesota Law School invites the Class of 2026 and their guests to our 138th Commencement Exercises on Saturday, May 16, 2026. 

The ceremony begins promptly at 10 am (CT) and lasts approximately two hours. Doors open to the public at 9 am (CT) and graduates are asked to arrive by 8:30 am (CT). The graduate's processional will begin promptly at 9:50 am (CT). The ceremony will be livestreamed with closed captions. 

Additional communications about commencement, including information about commencement tickets, will be sent to the Class of 2026 throughout the spring semester. 

Commencement Speaker and Order of Exercises

Speaker

Honorable Nancy E. Brasel '96
U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota

Order of Exercises

  • Prelude and Processional
  • Welcome
  • Presentation of the Class of 2026 Student Awards and Class Gift
  • Minnesota Law Equity & Diversity Awards
  • LL.M. Class Graduation Address
  • J.D. Class Graduation Address
  • William B. Lockhart Award for Excellence in Scholarship, Leadership, and Service
  • Stanley V. Kinyon Teaching Awards
  • Commencement Address
  • Presentation of the Class of 2026
  • Hail! Minnesota
  • Recessional

Building Entry and Security

Security screening will include a bag check and walk-through magnetometers. The University bag policy will be in effect, meaning only clear bags and small purses will be allowed. Northrop will follow its prohibited item policy. 

Upon entering Northrop, tickets will be scanned by Northrop ushers. Once scanned, no reentry will be allowed. The public entrance on Ground East will close 30 minutes after the commencement's scheduled start time.

Arrival for Public Attendees
The Ground East entrance of Northrop; doors will open at 9 am. Public entry will only be allowed through the Ground East entrance near Church Street; all other entry points will be locked or unavailable to public guests. Guests will need to show a digital or physical ticket to security prior to screening to gain access.

Arrival for Graduates and Faculty
All graduates and faculty should enter through the Ground West entrance on the Pleasant Street side of Northrop. College staff will need to be stationed at this entrance to verify and check-in graduates and faculty. After verification, they will be screened and wanded by security.

More information
Commencement 2026 information
Reception

An optional reception with light refreshments will take place in the atrium of Northrop following the ceremony from 12 to 1 p.m.

Accessibility Information

If you are unable to attend the in-person ceremony, it will be livestreamed day-of at: z.umn.edu/lawcommencement.

Parking Information

Northrup Parking and Directions

Plan to Arrive Early: Make sure you have plenty of time to navigate traffic around UMN parking facilities and get to the event on time and enter through the correct door. 

Available Parking Lots