Commencement Day - What to Expect

Graduates must report to the Arena one hour before the ceremony to be in place for the processional. Graduates should enter from the northeast rear entrance of the arena, to check in and line up for the processional. Refer to the following map for more information about where to line up.

When graduates check in, they will be given their name card and told where to line up for the processional. The back of the name card should have been completed with the graduate's name and contact information at the time that cap & gown and tickets were picked up at the bookstore. If not, the graduates will need to complete this information at the Arena, as this will be used by the photographers to send photo proofs.

Graduates who are eligible for honors should have purchased their honor cords at the bookstore at the time they picked up their cap & gown and tickets. If not, honor cords will be available at the bookstore table in the lobby for purchase. Honor cords may ONLY be purchased by those students who met the criteria for honors distinction by the term prior to graduation. Candidates who will have earned honors after the current term's grades are recorded will have honors posted on their diploma and transcripts (baccalaureate degree only), but will not receive an honor cord at commencement.

After lining up in the appropriate location, candidates will process into the arena and take their seats with their college. When they are called, each graduate will process onto the stage, where they will hand their name card to a reader. While their name is read, they will cross the stage to receive their diploma (cover) from the President, and congratulations from their college dean. They will exit the stage on the opposite side from which they entered, and return to their seats.

Degrees will be conferred in this order, with graduate degrees being conferred before the undergraduate degrees in each college:

11:00am: College of Computing, Engineering and Construction College of Arts and Sciences

3:00pm: College of Education and Human Services Coggin College of Business Brooks College of Health

The Arena will be open to guests one hour before the ceremony. The ceremony will last approximately one and one half (1.5) hours.