Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
Location: Foellinger Great Hall at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
Time: 2:30 p.m.
The LER December 2025 ceremony will be on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. in Foellinger Great Hall at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Goodwin Avenue, Urbana. A reception will immediately follow in the Krannert Center lobby.
Commencement Speaker – Colleen McKeown
Colleen McKeown recently retired as Chief Human Resources Officer and Managing Director at Prologis, the global leader in industrial REITs with over $200 billion in assets under management. During her tenure, she also led Marketing and played a key role in integrating acquisitions totaling more than $44 billion into the Prologis platform.
Before joining Prologis in 2018, she served as Chief Human Resources Officer for several global public and private companies, many of which were backed by private equity or venture capital, where she led successful IPOs and transformation efforts.
Colleen now serves on the Board of Advisors for Verneek, a leader in AI for the retail industry.
Ceremony
The Dean of the School, Simon Restubog, will deliver remarks to the graduates at the opening of the ceremony. Colleen McKeown, AM 91, will follow as our spring convocation speaker. Colleen recently retired as Chief Human Resources Officer and Managing Director at Prologis.
Following Colleen’s remarks will be student remarks, the presentation of the LER Faculty Teaching Excellence Award/Walt Franke Student Development Opportunity Fund, and we will conclude with the presentation of the candidates.
Live Streaming
For friends and family who are unable to attend the ceremony, we have provided the URL for live streaming. This will start around 2:30 p.m. CST and will go until the end of the ceremony.
Have your friends and family log in here: https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_n0lakx59
Regalia
Academic Regalia is required for participation, and students can order their cap and gown through Herff Jones (University of Illinois at Champaign) until November 17, 2025, at the early order discounted rate, starting Monday, September 15. Students will be required to pay for their rental when they place their orders, and regalia will be shipped directly to the address provided at the time of order.
We will update this site with additional convocation information as it becomes available. Please check the University Commencement website for any new information and updates.