DECEMBER 2, 2020 — Lights! Camera! Time to graduate!
After years of hard work, late nights at the library, and endless studying, it’s finally time to earn your degree.
What better way to commemorate this remarkable 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.
The 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. The legend also says that touching the Sombrilla 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—just don’t jump in! Despite most campus operations going virtual this semester, the Sombrilla Fountain is on and the water is rushing.
The 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 six feet tall and 11 feet long, landed at UTSA in 2013. Today, it rests inside Central Plaza near the Sombrilla. It’s also a celebratory staple during UTSA traditions like Fiesta, Best Fest and Homecoming. Take a photo with Rowdy while throwing up your best “Birds Up” hand sign, but please don’t try to climb on the statue (your graduation photos will look much better without the arm sling).
The UTSA Benches
You might be tired from all of that studying, so take a seat—or lie down—on a UTSA bench! These signature orange and blue benches were commissioned for the UTSA campuses. They’re located at the Main and Downtown Campuses. Oftentimes, families with multiple generations of Roadrunners will snap pics on the benches. There’s something special about a photo featuring two, three or even four generations of UTSA graduates.
The Retama Commencement Stage
We know there are many people disappointed that they won’t be able to walk the Commencement stage at the Alamodome this month due to the coronavirus pandemic, but UTSA has arranged a superb alternative at the Retama Auditorium (Student Union 2.02.02). The university has put together a “mock” Commencement stage for those interested in taking photos of their graduates. The auditorium will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on December 2-4 and December 7-9, so rehearse your best stage-crossing poses this week!
The 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 the Main Campus from Loop 1604. Plan ahead if you want a photo shoot here without being rushed. These spots become quite crowded as Commencement gets closer and they’re all lit up to celebrate our graduates.
The UTSA Banners
Want a graduation photo that bursts with school pride while also providing intriguing visual depth? You can achieve both in spades by snapping pics in front of a row of UTSA banners. While you can spot banners all over the Main and Downtown campuses, there are two ideal photo spots: 1) In front of the U-T-S-A letter banners located in the Paseo Principal between the Student Union and H-E-B Student Union; 2) Near the longest row of university banners stretching south from the North Paseo Building through the Paseo del Norte.
Bill Miller Plaza at Downtown Campus
The Downtown Campus is in the heart of San Antonio, and Bill Miller Plaza is in the heart of the Downtown Campus. All pathways and sidewalks lead at the Downtown Campus to this attractive, inviting space located centrally between the Durango, Frio Street and Buena Vista Street buildings. It’s hard not to feel like you’re the center of attention when you’re standing in the middle of the plaza’s paved circle.
Roadrunner Memorial Garden
The Roadrunner Memorial Garden is a new site that was developed by the UTSA student body as a place to reflect and cherish Roadrunners who have passed. The garden was dedicated in February 2018 and UTSA students have since started a new tradition: kneeling at the Memorial Garden to honor those who have passed. 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! Share your photos with us on social media using the hashtag #UTSAGrad20.
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This event will acknowledge graduating seniors from the McNair Scholars program at UTSA before inducting the new cohort of scholars into the program.
North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140), Main CampusAt this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.
Arts Building Recital Hall, Main CampusRoadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.
Student Union Paseo, Main CampusCelebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.The 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, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .
The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.
