WE CELEBRATE!
Family, friends, faculty, and staff gather together to congratulate our Franke Honors Wildcats for their incredible achievements during the Franke Honors Convocation ceremony. Convocation ceremonies take place each year in the winter and spring. This ceremony marks the transition from the completion of an undergraduate education to the beginning of something new. No matter where life take you next, just remember: you're now a Franke Honors Wildcat for life!
The Winter 2025 W.A. Franke Honors Convocation Ceremony will take place on Thursday, December 18 at 2:00 PM at Marroney Theater.
Marroney Theater
Invitations to graduates will be sent by late October 2025.
Tickets and Programs
We do not require your guests to have tickets for this event. You are welcome to invite family and friends! We do ask that you provide an estimated number of guests when you RSVP, for planning purposes.
In an effort to reduce waste, we will only offer a digital program at the event.
If you or your guests would like print copies as keepsakes, we will provide a QR code where you can easily order copies of the program at no cost to you. The programs will be delivered to the address you provide. In addition to the QR code at the ceremony, you can also place orders for programs directly through FastCopy. The programs will be delivered to the address you provide after the ceremony.
About the Venue
The Marroney Theater first opened its doors in 1956 with an inaugural production of Hamlet. At the time of its opening, the Marroney Theatre was the best theatre in Arizona and influenced the construction of many other venues throughout the state. Originally known as The University Theatre, it was later renamed the Marroney Theatre in recognition of Peter R. Marroney, who served as the head of the theatre department for 36 years.
Over the years, The Marroney Theatre has experienced many upgrades. In February 2024, the theatre reopened following its most significant upgrades to date. The front of the building, including the east entry, lobby, box office and restrooms were renovated for an enhanced patron experience. The auditorium sees new seating and the addition of state-of-the-art screening equipment, allowing the venue to double as one of the most technologically advanced film screening rooms in Tucson.
As a home for both theatre and film, the Marroney serves as the primary venue for productions by students of the School of Theatre, Film & Television. Located in the heart of the College of Fine Arts, the Marroney welcomes visitors via an outdoor arts space and sculpture garden known as the Arts Oasis. The Arts Oasis, designed by artist and CFA Department alumna Barbara Grygutis, was brought to life in 1998.
The Marroney is a traditional proscenium theatre with a full capacity of 311 seats. The intimate space provides patrons with exceptional views of the stage and screen.
Parking
The closest parking to the Marroney Theater is the Park Avenue Garage.
Graduate Check-in
Graduates will check in and gather prior to the ceremony at Tornabene Theater, just to the west of Marroney. We will have signage and staff available to help direct graduates to Tornabene.
Accessibility
Accessible seating for graduates and guests is available at the front of the theater. Those who enter through the main lobby will have to climb up and down stairs to access their seats. Those with limited mobility are encouraged to enter through the theater's side entrances. We will have signage and staff on hand to help direct graduates and guests to the appropriate entrance.
Walking in another U of A Ceremony? View times for other Ceremonies
University of arizona CEREMONIES
Relive the celebration! Watch the Spring '25 Convocation Below.
2025 Spring Convocation Recording
Questions?
For questions regarding graduation requirements and thesis submission, contact your Franke Honors Advisor.
For questions regarding the December 18 event at Marroney Theater, contact Megan Noli.
For information regarding University of Arizona Commencement, click here.
FAQs
Students will be asked to RSVP and provide some information to personalize the ceremony. Each graduate will help build a slide that will appear on screen as they cross the stage at Convocation. Students will be asked to provide the following:
1. A picture or headshot of themselves (not a group shot) to be included in the Convocation Ceremony presentation. Below are the photo requirements:
- Please provide the largest image size possible. These images will be cropped to a 4:4 aspect ratio.
- Images should be at least 150-300 DPI (Dots Per Inch).
- For image editing and resizing, please use either Adobe Photoshop, Pixlr or PicMonkey.
- The images will be displayed on a large screen during Convocation. If they are not high resolution files, they will appear pixelated.
- Candid shots are acceptable but pictures of you looking at the camera are preferred.
- If you choose not to provide a picture, a generic image will appear with your name on it as you walk across the stage of the Honors Convocation.
- For assistance with your photo, please contact Joel Harris at joelharris@arizona.edu.
2. The title of their Franke Honors Thesis
3. Special “Thank You” message to family, friends and/or U of A faculty or staff
4. Post-graduation plans and other information for Franke Honors College informational purposes.
(This information will not appear during the ceremony)
The ceremony usually lasts about two hours, though fall is typically a shorter ceremony since we usually have fewer graduates.
Faculty, staff, and student awardees from the Franke Honors College will speak, and graduates will cross the stage to receive their Franke Honors Medallions.
The Franke Honors Medallion is offered in recognition of the monumental achievements of our Franke Honors graduates. Cast in copper and featuring the awe-inspiring Sonoran Desert, it is a physical reminder that, no matter where life takes them after they cross the stage today, our graduates are Franke Honors Wildcats for life and will always have a home at the University of Arizona.
Yes! We provide captioning for all speakers and/or live ASL interpreters for all speakers. When we choose out venues, we ensure there are multiple accessible entrance and seating options. If you have specific questions about accessibility, please reach out to Megan Noli, Event Coordinator.
CLEAR BAG POLICY AND METAL DETECTOR SCREENING
The University of Arizona convocation ceremonies celebrated in McKale Center will enforce game-day rules at all guest entrances including enforcing the clear bag policy and using metal detectors for screening. All guests must abide by the University’s clear bag policy for entry into the arena. No large bags, backpacks, or parcels will be permitted. All in-hand items must be placed in the appropriate and approved clear bag. Please see the link below for more information or visit the UABookStores website to purchase one today!
Cameras, drinks, small food items, and flowers will be permitted.
Helium balloons, tortillas, signs, banners, and confetti are not allowed.
Guests should plan to enter through Gates A & B to the south, adjacent to the ticket office. Gate C at the Cherry avenue garage bridge will also be open.
Guests can sit anywhere they'd like, aside from the floor. Wheelchair accessible seating can be found on the main/middle concourse or upper concourse in the ADA bays.