Registrar

Commencement

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

The Spring 2026 Commencement will be held on Friday, May 8, 2026 in Duke Wells Center. There will be two ceremonies at the following times:

  • 10 a.m. - College of Business and Teachers College
  • 1 p.m. - College of Performing Arts and Social Sciences and Caver College of Aviation, Science, and Nursing

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. for the 10 a.m. ceremony and noon for the 1 p.m. ceremony. 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
Cap’d Out will take place on Tuesday, April 28 at the Captain Henderson House from 4-6 p.m. This event is the first opportunity for you to pick up your caps and gowns as well as a time to celebrate with campus faculty, staff and fellow graduates. 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