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Home » Commencement 2026: Essential Guide for Graduates

Commencement 2026: Essential Guide for Graduates

Ceremony Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
Location: Wilkins Athletics & Events Center
Time: 10 a.m. (Doors open at 8 a.m.)

Graduation vs. Commencement: What’s the Difference?
It’s easy to confuse the two!

• Graduation is the official process of verifying that you have met all degree requirements.

• Commencement is the formal ceremony and celebration of your achievement

Important: Applying for graduation is a separate process from RSVPing for the Commencement ceremony.

• March 1: Deadline to apply for Graduation. Log in to Hornet Hub to apply.

• Mid-March: Expect an email regarding your Commencement RSVP and guest ticket claims.

• April 1: Deadline to contact the Registrar (vtaylor@su.edu) if you wish to be excluded from the printed program.

• April 15: Deadline to submit DD-214/orders for Veteran Cords (gibill@su.edu).

• April 15 (11:59 p.m.): Final deadline to RSVP for the Commencement Ceremony.

  • The names of all August 2025, December 2025, and May 2026 graduates will be automatically included in the commencement program.
  • The final list of names for the commencement program is compiled and released to the printer a week before commencement, so exceptions cannot be made. If you apply to graduate after the application deadline, your name may not appear in the printed program due to printing deadlines.
  • If you would like your name to be EXCLUDED from the printed commencement program, you must contact Valerie Taylor in the Registrar’s Office by April 1 at vtaylor@su.edu.

Degree Conferral & Diploma

• Conferral: Your degree is officially conferred on the last day of the term. Verification takes approximately four weeks; your transcript will update once this is complete.

• The Ceremony: To ensure accuracy and prevent damage, you will receive a mock diploma scroll during the ceremony.

• Mailing: Your official diploma will be mailed to the address on file within 6–8 weeks after graduation.

Time to order your regalia from Herff Jones!
herff.ly/shenandoah

CAMPUS PICK-UP ORDER DEADLINE:

LAST DAY TO ORDER: 03/8/2026 11:59 pm

SHIP TO HOME ORDER DEADLINE(S):

  • ROUND 1 DEADLINE: 04/10/2026 11:59 pm (standard shipping)
  • ROUND 2 DEADLINE: 4/17/2026 11:59 pm (expedited shipping)


Bachelor Package: $57.00 (Navy gown, cap, tassel)

Master Package: $110.00 (Black gown, cap, tassel, hood)

Doctoral Packages: $184.00 (Specialty gown, tam/cap, tassel, hood)

Questions? Contact the Bookstore at 540-665-4523.

  • Latin Honors: Calculated based on your Fall 2025 GPA for the program. Final honors on your transcript and diploma will reflect your final cumulative GPA.
  • Cords & Stoles: Gold honor cords (undergraduates only) and Veteran cords are distributed during graduate line-up. You may wear multiple cords but are encouraged to wear only one stole.
  • Hooding: Master’s and Doctoral students are hooded at separate departmental ceremonies and should wear their hoods to the main University Commencement.

Grad Fair

  • When: Wednesday, April 8 | 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Where: Brandt Student Center, Ferrari Room
  • Why: Pick up regalia, meet with the Registrar or Financial Services, and speak with Career Services.

Commencement Walkthrough & Grad Bash

  • When: Thursday, May 7 | 4:30 p.m. (Walkthrough) | 5 p.m. (Grad Bash)
  • Where: Wilkins Athletics & Events Center
  • Details: Attendance is strongly encouraged. Follow the walkthrough with Grad Bash at Buzzy Plaza and on the lawn for prizes and celebration!
  • Questions? Contact the Office of Alumni & Constituent Relations, alums@su.edu.

Arrival: Please report to the designated line-up area by 8:00 a.m.

  • Security: Do not bring valuables or purses; you must carry everything with you to your seat.
  • Prohibited Items: Alcohol, tobacco, and nicotine products are strictly forbidden.
  • Reader Cards: Pick up your card at line-up. If your name is difficult to pronounce, please visit the “Readers” table to provide a phonetic guide.
  • Order of March: Students are grouped by school and degree program, not alphabetically. Please inform your family so they know when to expect you on stage.

Graduate Attire: While there is no official dress code, business casual is suggested. We highly recommend comfortable shoes, as you will be standing and walking for long periods.