After a pause of several years, the University of Houston is reinstating one of its oldest and most cherished traditions - the General Commencement ceremony - this fall.

Plans are being finalized for a revamped program that will honor our graduates and their achievements in a grand manner, with all the pomp and celebration commensurate with their academic successes.

The Fall 2009 General Commencement will be held on Friday, December 18, in Hofheinz Pavilion. It is our pledge to ensure each student is afforded proper recognition. To that effect, three consecutive ceremonies will be held on the same day, allowing for each student to walk and be recognized by name.

Individual colleges will have the opportunity to host receptions either before or after the General Commencement in a location of their choosing.

The decision to return to the General Commencement was made after a review of UH commencement history and a survey of best practices at peer institutions in Texas and across the nation.

As the University of Houston embarks on a path to Tier One, restoring the General Commencement tradition is one way to demonstrate we are a university of the first rank, preserving an academic ceremony that institutions of higher learning around the world have celebrated for centuries.

More information will be coming your way in the next few weeks.

John Antel
Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost