2026 Graduate School Commencement Week

2026 Graduate School Commencement Week

Class of 2026, get ready to celebrate Commencement Week with the Graduate School, May 5-9, 2026. During this week of celebrations, we will recognize the accomplishments of the Graduate School's summer and fall 2025 and spring 2026 graduates.

We are so excited to see you achieve this important milestone and look forward to celebrating with you, and your families, during Graduate School's Spring 2026 Recognition Ceremony scheduled for Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (EDT) at Cramton Auditorium. The University-wide Main Commencement will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026.

Commencement Week Schedule

Tue, May 5 | Graduate School Ticket Pick Up Windows

Main Commencement Ticket Pick-Up Schedule
Date & Time	Details	Location
May 5 10:00am- 1:00pm	Each Graduate School graduating student who has met the academic and financial clearance obligations required by the University outlined in this policy is eligible to have four (4) reserved seating Commencement tickets for their guests. Before ticket pick up, please ensure you have met the academic and financial clearance requirements linked above. You must present a valid photo ID at the time of pick up. Students who miss this pickup window can return to the HU Bookstore on Thursday (May 7) or Friday (May 8) to obtain their tickets and/or regalia.	HU Bookstore

Graduate School Ceremony Ticket Pick-Up Schedule
Date & Time	Details	Location
May 5 3:00pm- 5:00pm	The University requires entry tickets for all faculty, staff, students, and guests who will be seated at Cramton Auditorium. Each prospective graduate who has RSVP'd for the Graduate School's Recognition Ceremony will receive 1 student ticket to present to Cramton at entry and five (5) reserved guest tickets for their guests to attend the Ceremony.	Graduate School

Tue, May 5 | Rehearsal for Graduate School Ceremony

Required for All Prospective Graduates
Time	Details	Location
May 5 2:00pm - 3:00pm	Graduate School Ceremony Rehearsal required of all prospective graduates.	Cramton Auditorium

Thu, May 7 | Graduate School Recognition Ceremony

Schedule for Doctoral Candidates
Date & Time	Details	Location
May 7 12:00pm	Ph.D. Student Check- In and Name card Distribution	Biology Auditorium
May 7 12:45pm	Ph.D. Candidates Photoshoot	The Valley
May 7 1:15pm	Ph.D. Lineup and Ceremonial Walk	Procession to Cramton
May 7 1:15pm - 1:40pm	Guests Proceed to Cramton Auditorium (Tickets Required for Entry)	Cramton Auditorium
May 7 1:45pm	The Procession Begins	Cramton Auditorium
May 7 2:00pm	Graduate School Recognition Ceremony	Cramton Auditorium
May 7 4:00pm - 6:00pm	Annual President’s Reception	Ballroom, Blackburn University Center

Schedule for Master’s and Certificate Candidates
Date & Time	Details	Location
May 7 12:45pm	Master's and Certificate Candidates Photoshoot	Business School (across from Cramton)
May 7 1:15pm	Master’s and Certificate Student Check- In, Name Card Distribution, and Lineup	Cramton Auditorium
May 7 1:15pm - 1:40pm	Guests Proceed to Cramton Auditorium (Tickets Required for Entry)	Cramton Auditorium
May 7 1:45pm	The Procession Begins	Cramton Auditorium
May 7 2:00pm	Graduate School Recognition Ceremony	Cramton Auditorium
May 7 4:00pm - 6:00pm	Annual President’s Reception	Ballroom, Blackburn University Center

Fri, May 8 | Commencement Prayer Breakfast

Optional for Prospective Graduates
Date & Time	Details	Location
May 8 7:30am - 10:00am	Commencement Prayer Breakfast	Ballroom, Blackburn University Center

Sat, May 9 | University Main Commencement

Commencement Convocation
Date & Time	Details	Location
May 9 7:00am	All Graduate School degree candidates must report to Greene Stadium in full regalia for line up.	Greene Stadium
May 9 7:00am	Guests arrive for seating. Additional guests may be seated in the general seating section (bleacher seating) or at a designated satellite location on a first-come, first-served basis.	Main Yard
May 9 8:30am	The procession begins	Main Yard
May 9 1:00pm	Commencement closes	Main Yard