Dec. 9, 2019 — Lights! Camera! Time to graduate! After years of hard work, late nights at the library and endless studying, it is finally time to cross the Commencement stage.
What better way to commemorate this moment than with an awesome photo shoot? We’re breaking down the best campus spots to snap the quintessential graduation photo and make a memory.
⇒ Learn more about Commencement at UTSA, including traditions, regalia and staying involved after graduation.
Sombrilla Fountain
A treasured Roadrunner meeting spot, the Sombrilla Fountain tops our list of grad photo locations. Legend has it that ’Runners who touch the fountain during finals week will get an extra boost of good luck. And it’s tempting, but don’t jump in! The legend also says that touching the fountain at any other time throughout the semester could jeopardize your chances of earning that A. So grab the cap and gown and pose in front of UTSA’s iconic fountain. Years into your career, you’ll be glad you did.
Roadrunner Statue
The Roadrunner statue is one of the newer additions to campus. After 1,000 hours of work by artist R.G. Box, the iron statue, which sports 1,000 feathers and stands at 6 feet tall and 11 feet long, landed at UTSA in 2013. Today, it rests inside Sombrilla Plaza and watches over ’Runners as they head to class every day. It’s also a celebratory staple during traditions like Fiesta UTSA, Best Fest and Homecoming. Take a photo with Rowdy (without climbing on…too dangerous…we want you at Commencement!) and show off your best “Birds Up” pose.
UTSA Monuments
The UTSA Monuments are a popular photo spot for graduating seniors. Located at the UTSA Oval, the Monuments greet ’Runners as they enter Main Campus each day. Plan ahead if you want a photo shoot here without being rushed. These spots become quite crowded as Commencement gets closer and when they’re all lit up to celebrate our graduates.
UTSA Benches
You must be tired from all of that studying, so, ’Runners, take a seat (or lie down) on a UTSA bench. These signature orange and blue structures were commissioned especially for UTSA's campuses. They’re located on Main and Downtown Campuses. Oftentimes, families with multiple generations of Roadrunners will take photos on the benches. There’s something special about a pic featuring two, three or four generations of UTSA graduates.
San Antonio Skyline at Downtown Campus
The Alamo City is an important part of your college narrative, ’Runners. Show off your local pride with a picturesque photo of the city skyline. You can find a gorgeous view of the city from a Downtown Campus balcony inside the Frio Street Building conference room (FS 4.450A). Just call ahead, then ask reception for permission to enter.
Roadrunner Memorial Garden
The Roadrunner Memorial Garden was developed by the UTSA student body as a place to reflect and cherish fellow classmates who have died. The garden was dedicated in 2018 and students began a new tradition: They now kneel at the Memorial Garden to honor those who have died. Visit this tranquil garden and celebrate the inspirations in your life.
Graduation photos are the highlight reel of your college career. Have fun and remember to smile. It’s your time to shine. And share your photos with us on social media using hashtag #UTSAGrad19.
Discover more information about UTSA Commencement.
Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.
UTSA Today is produced by University Communications and Marketing, the official news source of The University of Texas at San Antonio. Send your feedback to news@utsa.edu. Keep up-to-date on UTSA news by visiting UTSA Today. Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.
Día en la Sombrilla, formerly Fiesta UTSA, is a festival hosted each spring as a part of Fiesta® San Antonio events. Sponsored by Roadrunner Productions, the event features music, food, confetti, games, event t-shirts, and more.
Sombrilla Plaza, Main CampusCovidence is a systematic & scoping review tool used to streamline the process of screening and reviewing articles. Using this software, research teams can easily import studies, perform automatic deduplication, and extract data using templates. This workshop will show attendees how to start a review in Covidence, add collaborators, and get started on screening.
Virtual (Zoom)In this workshop, attendees will be introduced to Pandas, a Python tool for working with data easily. It makes it simple to organize and analyze information when data is organized and categorized, like spreadsheets or tables.
Group Spot B, John Peace LibraryEach fall and spring semester, students convene at the Main Campus at UTSA with booths, ideas and prototypes. A crowd of judges, local organizations, students, faculty and sponsors walk around and talk to the students about their projects and ask questions. Students get the real-life experience of "pitching" their project with hopes of getting funding or support to move to the next level.
UTSA Convocation Center, Main CampusJoin the doctoral candidates for the Doctoral Conferreal Ceremony and celebrate their accomplishments.
Arts Building Recital Hall, Main CampusCelebrate the graduates from the Carlos Alvarez College of Business, College of Education and Human Development, Margie and Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design and University College.
AlamodomeCelebrate the graduates from the College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and College of Sciences.
AlamodomeThe University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
