Graduation Ceremony Information

Graduates

Guests

  • Seating

    The instructions below only apply to ceremonies hosted at the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.

    Seating at commencement, located in the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum, is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Reservations are NOT available for seating. Please note that friends and family will NOT be allowed to "save seats" prior to the commencement ceremony inside the coliseum.

    Once the coliseum reaches capacity, additional seating will be provided in the Lowman Student Center Theatre where live video feed will ensure that each guest will see their special graduate cross the stage. There are restrooms and a baby changing station located on the concourse of the coliseum, as well as in the nearby Teacher Education Center.

    Arrangements have been made for Guests with Disabilities.

    Any other concerns not addressed on this page should be directed to the Registrar's Office at 936-294-1040.

  • Parking

    The instructions below only apply to ceremonies hosted at the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.

    Several large parking areas are located near the Coliseum with easy access from Avenue H. Two parking areas are reserved for guests with impairment. The first area, located east of the Coliseum at the intersection of Avenue H and Bowers Boulevard, is designated specifically for guests in wheelchairs or those with a mobility impairment.

    The second area, located in the Teacher Education Center parking lot and the south end of the Newton Gresham Library parking lot, is designated for all other guests with disabilities. Guests are directed to the appropriate parking areas by university police officers and blue street signs with the international disability symbol.

    Arrangements have been made for Guests with Disabilities.

  • Guests with Disabilities

    Commencement ceremonies are hosted at the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum on the campus of 91做厙. See the Commencement Schedules page for more information.

    The instructions below only apply to ceremonies hosted at the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.

    • Please arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the ceremony.
    • Enter the Coliseum through the east tunnel (see parking directions below).

    If you have any questions about arrangements for parents or guests with disabilities, please contact the office of Erin Parr (936) 294-1019.

    Parking for commencement guests in wheelchairs or with mobility impairment:

    Refer to the university map (/map/) and proceed to the parking area located east of the coliseum at the intersection of Avenue H (Bobby K Marks Dr.) and Bowers Boulevard ().  This area is designated specifically for guests with mobility impairment or those requiring wheelchair access. Ushers will be available to direct guests to the east tunnel and then to the special seating area reserved in the coliseum for guests in wheelchairs. Limited seating is provided on the floor of the coliseum.

    University Police are available to answer questions as you approach the coliseum.

    Parking for all other commencement guests with disabilities:

    Proceed to the parking area located in the Eleanor and Charles Garrett Teacher Education Center parking lot and the south end of the Newton Gresham Library parking (purple area on map). University police officers will be available to direct guests to the special seating area reserved in the coliseum for guests with disabilities.

    Special Seating on the Coliseum Floor for Guests with Disabilities:

    Those guests with disabilities who wish to sit in special sections on the coliseum floor will be directed to those areas by University Police Officers and ushers. Because space on the Coliseum floor is severely limited, each guest with a disability may be accompanied by no more than one person.

    Please understand that as much as we would like to accommodate every family member or friend wanting to remain with a disabled guest on the floor, our doing so would invariably mean that some disabled guests would be deprived of seating there. Also, for reasons of safety, the general public is not allowed on the floor before, during, or after the commencement ceremony. We must ensure that the lines of graduates move rapidly and without interruption along the sides of the coliseum during the time degrees are being conferred.

    Therefore, we request that you observe the rules which apply strictly to other guests in the Coliseum: Please do not step outside the area roped off for disabled guests to take pictures, and please do not visit with any of the graduates as they pass by in lines either going towards the stage to receive their degrees or headed away from the stage towards the back of the Coliseum.

    Hearing devices are available (on a first come first requested basis) for checkout during the commencement ceremonies following appropriate sign-out procedures.  Please visit Office 235 in the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum the day of the event for more information on obtaining the device.   

    SO THAT WE MAY PROVIDE THE GREATEST COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE, COMMENCEMENT GUESTS WITH DISABILITIES SHOULD ARRIVE AT LEAST 45 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE CEREMONY.

  • Directions to Campus
    Directions to Campus   

Commencement Information

Graduation Regalia & Announcements

The official University Regalia and announcements can be purchased from Barnes & Noble University Bookstore. You must have your regalia to participate in the commencement ceremonies.

There is currently no limit on the number of guests you may invite to commencement.

Learn more about graduation Regalia

Live Webcast of Commencement Ceremonies  


Stream Ceremonies