Registrar

Commencement

Parking ⎸ Shuttle Service ⎸ Graduate Check-In ⎸ Caps & Gowns

The Fall 2025 Commencement will be held on Saturday, December 13, inside the Duke Wells Center. There will be one ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. Doors will open to the public one hour before the ceremony.

Parking

Accessible Parking

Accessible parking is available in the South Wells Center lot, directly in front of the Duke Wells Center. Handicap placards must be visible at the entrance to this area. If the parking lot is full, please drop disabled individuals off in the accessible parking area.

General Parking

General parking is available in two (2) main areas:

Shuttle Service

Free shuttle service will be available between 12th & Wilson Streets and the Duke Wells Center.

Graduate Check-In

Graduate check-in is held inside the Wells Center Auxiliary Gymnasium at 9 a.m. Graduates must be checked in a minimum of 30 minutes prior to the start of their ceremony.

Upon arrival, graduates should follow the posted directional signs and proceed immediately to the check-in station.

**Early arrival is recommended but optional.

Caps & Gowns

Ordering Cap and Gown
Once your graduation application is submitted, processed and approved by the Registrar's Office or Graduate Studies Office, you will receive an email to your @reddies.hsu.edu email address. Upon completing your graduation application, you may visit the HSU Reddie Bookstore to order your cap and gown. Graduate students and those not on campus can email the bookstore at bookstore@hsu.edu.

Receiving Cap and Gown
Graduates may pick up their caps and gowns at inside Caplinger Airway Science Center on December 2 from 4-6 p.m. at the Cap'd Out Graduation Party, hosted by the Henderson State University Alumni Association. For additional information, don't hesitate to contact the HSU Alumni Office at alumni@hsu.edu.

Outstanding Balance
If you have an outstanding balance on your student account, you must stop by the Business Office on the third floor of Womack Hall before receiving your cap and gown. Your diploma will only be released once you have settled your account balance.

Honors Stoles
Undergraduate Honors Stoles are available at the HSU Bookstore for the following (60 Residency Hours Required):

  • Cum Laude (3.50 - 3.749 cumulative GPA) = Ivory Stole
  • Magna Cum Laude (3.75 - 3.849 cumulative GPA) = Gray Stole
  • Summa Cum Laude (3.85 - 4.00 cumulative GPA) = Red Stole
  • First Generation College Graduate = Peach Stole

*All other stoles and cords offered by various student organizations are to be obtained directly from those organizations