Convocation
2026 May Convocation
The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering is planning an in-person convocation ceremony to celebrate your academic achievements. The departmental convocation recognizes ChBE graduates who earned bachelor's and master's degrees and includes a hooding ceremony for our doctoral graduates. Please note that this ceremony is separate from the university's Commencement ceremony; see commencement.illinois.edu for details about the campus event.
When:
Sunday, May 17, 2026
9:30 a.m. | Doors open at 8:30 a.m.
Where:
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
Tryon Festival Theatre
500 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana
Reception to follow at Illini Union, Room ABC (1401 W. Green St., Urbana) | 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Keynote:
Dennis M. Houston (BS 74)
Retired, ExxonMobil Corp. – Executive Vice President (Refining & Supply Company), Chairman and President (Sales & Supply LLC), and Chairman (Standard Tankers Bahamas Ltd)
Registration:
REGISTER
Email chbe-ugprogramoffice@illinois.edu with questions.
Watch:
The ceremony will be streamed live at the link below.
Regalia:
Academic attire is required for all graduates who participate in our convocation ceremony; information about academic attire, including how to order, is available on the U. of I. Commencement website.
Notes:
- This event is for graduating ChBE students only, and is separate from any college and campus ceremonies. Students may choose to attend those ceremonies as well.
- Instructions to change how your name will appear on your diploma and transcript can be found on the Registrar’s website. Diploma names dictate what is displayed on your diploma and are used in the convocation program, lists of graduates, etc. If you have any questions about your diploma, please call the Office of the Registrar at (217) 333-0210.
- The university plans to capture photographs and video of this event. Be aware that if you attend, you are consenting to the possibility that your image and likeness may be shared or published by the university for marketing-communications purposes.
Contact chbe-ugprogramoffice@illinois.edu with any questions about this event. If you are a person with a disability who requires accommodation(s), please contact us as soon as possible. Some accommodation requests (such as American Sign Language Interpreters) received after the registration deadline will be given due diligence to be filled but may not be guaranteed.
These plans are subject to change — check this page for updated event details going forward.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Dennis M. Houston (BS 74)
D. M. (Denny) Houston (BS 74), a proud Illini, retired from Exxon Mobil on May 31, 2010, after more than 35 years of company service and about 40 years of experience in the Oil and Gas Industry. His positions at retirement were Executive Vice President Refining & Supply Company, Chairman and President of Sales & Supply LLC, and Chairman of Standard Tankers Bahamas
Ltd. Houston's primary responsibilities included managing the supply, marine
transportation and pipeline businesses for Exxon Mobil Corp. on a global basis.
He joined Exxon Company USA in 1974, advancing through engineering, operations, and management roles at the Baton Rouge and Baytown refineries, Exxon headquarters in Houston, and internationally in Singapore, where he served as Chairman and Managing Director of Esso Singapore. He later held senior leadership roles in Exxon Company International, including Vice President of Supply and Transportation. Houston was a key leader on the Exxon Mobil merger transition team and was named Executive Vice
President of Exxon Mobil Refining & Supply Company at the time of the merger. His organization was responsible for the flawless operation and economic supply chain optimization for over 10 million barrels per day of crude oil, feedstocks and products.
Houston is an active or recently retired member in several organizations, including Honorary Consul for Liechtenstein to Southwest USA; Non-Executive Director of ABS Group; Non-Executive Director Argus Media Ltd./Fleet Topco; Non-Executive Director of Suncor Corp. (retired); Vice President of Alexander S. Onassis Foundation (retired); Washington University in St. Louis Engineering Council; Massachusetts Maritime Academy Foundation Board; and Texas Children’s Hospital Ambassadors.
Houston currently resides in The Woodlands, Texas, and is the Chairman of DM Houston Consulting LLC. He stays active playing golf, is an avid sports fan and his focus includes becoming a “world class” grandfather to five grandchildren.
The University of Illinois commencement website contains detailed information about the May and December campus ceremonies. Visit their site to learn more about planned celebrations, details for graduates, and resources for family and guests.