See Apply for Graduation page

December Graduation (all graduating students)

Saturday, December 17, 2011; 10:00 a.m.
Moody Coliseum
6024 Airline Road
Dallas, Texas 75275
214) 768-3417

On Saturday morning, the all-University December Graduation ceremony assembles degree candidates from all of SMU's schools and professional programs. Moody Coliseum becomes transformed by the pageantry. Students and faculty in academic regalia march following the colorful banners of their respective schools, accompanied by music and applause from proud families.

You must have academic regalia to be admitted into the Dedman Center. All participating candidates must wear academic regalia; however, no honor ribbons or other decorations or adornments are worn to the morning ceremony. Students without regalia will be directed to the SMU bookstore to rent a cap and gown. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Groups begin forming at 9:15 a.m. at designated places in the Dedman Center. Doors will close at 9:40 a.m. For more information regarding the proper attire, please see Academic Regalia.

Assemble with your degree group. Signs will be posted and faculty marshals will be on duty. The student procession will begin moving at 9:55 a.m. Faculty marshals will direct you to your seat; please follow the marshal's directions. Remain standing until invited to sit.

Please leave purses, coats, and other personal belongings with one of your guests, as there will be nowhere to store these items during the ceremony. We can not secure anything left inside the Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports.

Guests, for more information please go to Guest Information.

Graduation candidates and guests of graduation candidates do not need a ticket to attend the Saturday morning Graduation Ceremony in Moody Coliseum.

Guests, for more information please go to Guest Information.
 

Personalized invitations and announcements may be ordered at the SMU Bookstore or directly from http://www.herffjones.com/college/smu.

These announcements and invitations contain the name and degree of the candidate. For additional information, please call the SMU Bookstore at 214-768-2435.
 

Academic Ceremonies	Ceremony instructions and guest information
Balfour	Order your SMU Ring from Balfour Representatives
Herff Jones	Order regalia, invitations, and announcements
Student Media Company	Order your SMU Rotunda Yearbook
Young Alumni	Stay connected with SMU even after you graduate
Flash Photography	Get professional Cap & Gown photographs taken

Regalia Instructions

All participating candidates must wear SMU Custom academic regalia. Pre-ordered regalia will be available for pickup at the SMU Bookstore on December 12.

Per the University Administration instruction, honor ribbons, medals, flowers, decorated mortarboards and other adornments may not be worn during the ceremony. Adornments will be confiscated and ruined mortarboards will be replaced at the student's expense.

• Baccalaureate Candidates - Appropriate attire includes mortarboard with tassel, robe and stole of gratitude.  Tassels will be worn on the right until instructed to move it to the left.
• Post Baccalaureate Candidates - Appropriate attire  for Master's candidates includes mortarboard with tassel, robe and hood for the degree to be received.  All post baccalaureate candidates will rent/purchase hoods from the bookstore and wear them to the ceremony.
• Ph.D. and D.E. candidates - will be given hoods during the ceremony.

Acquiring Regalia

Pre-ordered academic regalia must be ordered at the Graduation Fair or through the Herff Jones Website by November 11.  Pre-ordered regalia will be available for pickup from the SMU Bookstore beginning December 10.  Regalia pick-up times and dates subject to change, please call the SMU Bookstore for details.

If you do not pre-order your regalia, a limited selection of regalia will be available at the SMU Bookstore the week of December 10. The SMU Bookstore may have your size available but there is no guarantee. Telephone and in-person orders will not be accepted at the SMU Bookstore. 

Students are responsible for knowing their degree type and discipline color when placing their order. Please review your Degree Progress Report and the Inventory of Academic Programs to determine your degree type and discipline color.

If you are a Doctoral candidate and are unsure if you will graduate in December, please place an order. If you do not need the regalia, you will not be responsible for the rental fee.

For your convenience, the SMU Bookstore will be open the following hours:

*Regalia pick-up times and dates subject to change, please call the SMU Bookstore for details.

Returning Regalia

Paying for Regalia

In 1997, students, faculty and alumni felt the need to preserve the timeless tradition of the SMU Centennial Ring originally created in 1924.  The SMU Centennial Ring is the tangible and recognizable symbol of pride in SMU and its history.  It represents each student's accomplishments on the Hilltop.  The SMU Centennial Ring is a link with classmates, friends and alumni spread all over the world.  Times will change, people will change, but the spirit will live on and the tradition will continue.

The SMU Centennial Ring can be viewed and purchased online at smu.edu/smuring or by calling 1-800-BALFOUR.

For details regarding guest parking please visit the Guest Information and Guests with Disabilities pages.
 

Personal photographs may be taken only before and after the December Graduation ceremony. No one is permitted in the aisles during the ceremonies.

Arrangements have been made with a professional photographer to take candidates' photographs as they walk across the stage at the December Graduation ceremony. Each candidate will receive a proof after the ceremony. If you have questions concerning photographs, please contact Flash Photography at 214-443-9393, Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Formal portraits will also be available the morning of December Graduation in the Dedman Center.
 

SMU is partnering with gradmemory.com to provide a professional video of the December Graduation ceremony. This perfect graduation keepsake is available to order now.

The Graduation DVD contains the complete graduation ceremony with all keynotes and speeches as well as any candidates walking across the stage.

The DVD package can also be personalized with the graduate's name and picture.

To order visit http://www.gradmemory.com/smu-main-commencement-dec-2011.html You can contact GradMemory at 1-866-977-GRAD
 

Diplomas will be mailed to your home address on Wednesday, January 18.  If you prefer that your diploma be sent to a different address, please provide a Diploma Address in Access.SMU. 

You will have an opportunity to purchase a diploma preservation frame from the Michael Sutter Company after graduation. Each diploma preservation frame will contain a second, complimentary diploma! Please visit http://www.michaelsutter.com/pqf.html to view the variety of frames available. All graduates will receive an email from the Michael Sutter Company after graduation with information on how to order a diploma frame.

Please Note: Candidates who owe money to the University may participate in the graduation ceremony, but diplomas will be held until accounts are cleared. For questions regarding your account, please contact the Enrollment Services by calling 214-768-3417