McCombs School of Business
Texas MBA
MBA Academics  : Student Services : Graduation

Graduation

2009 Texas MBA Convocation
The Texas MBA Convocation is held in addition to the Spring Commencement held by The University of Texas at Austin. Students who have completed their course work the previous fall or the current spring or summer terms are eligible to participate in the 2009 Texas MBA Convocation. All students are individually recognized.

The convocation for the McCombs MBA Class of 2009 is Friday, May 22, 2009 at 3:00pm in Gregory Gymnasium. The University-wide Commencement will be Saturday, May 23, 2009, at 7:00pm at the tower (for spring graduates only). Please see the University Commencement website for more information: http://www.utexas.edu/commencement.

Services are available to accommodate needs for people with disabilities attending the convocation. If you require accommodations due to a disability, please contact Francisca Thompson at least five days prior to the convocation.

Guest Speaker
The keynote speaker for the May 2009 MBA commencement will be Kenneth M. Jastrow.

Regalia
Regalia must be worn for the convocation and consists of a black cap and gown and an orange and white hood with a "drab" color (that's the official color name) tassel. Regalia can be purchased at the University Co-op starting in March or can be ordered online.

Invitations, etc.
Invitations, rings, and other graduation mementos can be ordered at the University Co-op starting in March or can be ordered online.

Videotaping and Live Web Feed
The 2009 Texas MBA Convocation will be videotaped and streamed live on the McCombs website. Click here to see the Texas MBA convocation live.

DVD of 2009 Texas MBA Convocation
If you would like a copy of the 2009 Texas MBA Convocation, please bring a self-addressed, pre-paid DVD envelope to Francisca Thompson. DVDs will be mailed approximately two weeks after the convocation takes place.

Diplomas
In late March or early April, you will receive a letter at your local address asking you to verify the spelling of your name. Diplomas are mailed four to six weeks after Commencement to your permanent address. If you have questions, call the Diploma Office at 512-475-7620.

Travel
It is never too early to make hotel reservations and book flights.  You may refer to the listing of Austin area accommodations.

Applying for Graduation
Students must apply to graduate by March 1st. Summer graduates who plan to participate in the spring convocation should also apply for graduation by March 1st.  If you are a Dual Degree student, you must file for graduation with each program. Please submit your Graduation Application and MBA Student Satisfaction Survey on-line.

Graduation Checklist

  • Apply for graduation by March 1st
  • Order your cap, gown, hood & tassel
  • Drop off a self-addressed, pre-paid DVD envelope to Francisca Thompson (optional)
  • Order Photos (you will receive instructions via e-mail following the ceremony)
  • Receive Diploma at permanent address 4 to 6 weeks after graduation

Non-Monetary Academic Awards

Kozmetsky Scholar
The Kozmetsky Scholar award honors Dr. George M. Kozmetsky, who served as Dean of the McCombs School of Business for 16 years. Kozmetsky Scholars must earn an overall GPA of 4.0.

Sord Scholar
The Sord Scholar award was named in honor of Dr. Burnard H. Sord, who served 11 years as Associate Dean for Graduate Programs in Business Administration. Sord Scholars must earn a GPA of 3.8 or higher in the MBA core curriculum.

Dean's Award for Academic Excellence
Recipients of the Dean's award for Academic Excellence must earn an overall GPA of 3.8 or higher during their entire program, with no more than two incomplete grades at any time.

Award certificates are mailed to recipients after they graduate, from the MBA Program. There are no monetary awards associated with these honors. Academic awards are given by the McCombs MBA Program; there is no award notation on the student's diploma or transcript.