Getting Ready

September 2025

Apply to Graduate

An email invitation will be sent to students with at least 72 earned credits. Follow the instructions for submitting your graduation application online and indicate May Commencement ceremony participation. Applying by the deadline will allow you to participate in all planned events. Late applicants may miss out on votes, events, tickets and honors considerations.

October 2025

Deadline to apply for December 2025 Graduation

• October 15, 2025

If you’re planning to graduate after the fall 2025 semester, submit your graduation application by October 15.

January 2026

DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR May, July or DECEMBER 2026 GRADUATION

• January 15, 2026

If you’re planning to graduate after the spring 2026 semester (May grad), after taking one or more summer 2026 courses (July grad) or after the fall 2026 semester (December grad) and plan to participate in the May 2026 Commencement ceremony, submit your graduation application by January 15.

Vote for Commencement Speaker

Candidate information and an online ballot are sent via email to students who applied to participate in the Commencement ceremony.

FEBRUARY 2026

Graduation Application Confirmation

Emails will be sent asking students to check and either confirm or correct graduation application information. 

MARCH 2026

deadline for Commencement Ceremony Participation

• March 1

Deadline for students to notify the Registrar’s Office of any changes to their participation in the May 2026 Commencement ceremony.

H.O.P.E. Award Voting

Two ballots will be emailed to ceremony participants to vote for the Hope Outstanding Professor-Educator (H.O.P.E.) Professor. The first vote narrows the field; the final vote determines the winner.

APRIL 2026

Tickets

• Early April

Commencement participants will receive an email order form to request their tickets for rain-location Commencement. Pick up ordered tickets at Senior Days in mid-April.

Dining Options Tickets

Senior Days

• Mid-April

Pick up commencement regalia, order a diploma frame and class ring, make your senior class gift, and learn about alumni services. Senior Days will be held 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. in the Bultman Student Center Living Room on the lower level.

December 2025 graduates and students in spring 2026 off-campus programs who want to participate in the May 2026 ceremony will be contacted with specific directions for how they may complete the Senior Days orders and purchases.

Senior Days Details

MAY 2026

Commencement Weekend!

See the schedule for Commencement weekend