At this time in the academic year, we recognize the academic and leadership honors earned by our students.
Graduates and faculty are asked to wear commencement regalia to the ceremony.
Although this is a traditional main campus program, Professional Studies learners who qualified for the Dean's Honor Roll for fall 2025 will be recognized on the printed program. Professional Studies learners and their families are welcome to attend and participate in the convocation should they choose to do so.
Instructions for graduates and faculty
At 3:50 p.m. graduates will gather outside of Deets Library and faculty will line the sidewalk to the 77 steps. The faculty will follow the graduates up the 77 steps. Students, staff, family, and friends in attendance will follow faculty in to RPAC for the ceremony. The Honors Convocation processional up the 77 steps is a special tradition of the college. In the event of rain, graduates will meet in the upper level of Christy Administration Building and faculty will meet in the lower level.
Class of 2026 Commencement Activities
Friday, May 8, 2026
Commencement Rehearsal
10:00 a.m. in Richardson Performing Arts Center
Commencement Rehearsal Details
Rehearsal is primarily targeted to Main Campus undergraduates, but all are welcome. (Directions for those who can’t make it to rehearsal will be briefly repeated at the lineup on Sunday.)
Business Reception
12:00 p.m./Noon-1:00 p.m. in Mossman 134
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Natural Science Reception
2:30-4:00 p.m. in Welcome Center
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Order of the Mound Ceremony
9:45 a.m. in Richardson Performing Arts Center (moved due to anticipated cool temperatures)
Order of the Mound Details
Recognition of students graduating in the top 10% of the class and meeting guidelines stated in the college catalog.
Caps and gowns are worn for this ceremony.
2026 Inductees include:
Sarah Akin, Valedictorian
Corey Allen
Matthew Holthusen
Joseph Kasongo, Valedictorian
MaKaylin Kuchar
Madeline Nichols, Valedictorian
Isabelle Ramirez
Kaitlyn Reynolds
Ella Wiechman
Emma Willesden, Valedictorian
Should the weather allow, following the ceremony, a group photo of the 2026 Order of the Mound Inductees will be taken at Cole Mound Plaza
Creative Technologies & Communications Reception
12:00 p.m./Noon-1 p.m. in Christy Administration Building (lower level)
Social Science Reception
12:00 p.m./Noon-1 p.m. in Welcome Center
Education Reception
12:30-1 p.m. in Deets Library
Global/PS Reception
12:30 p.m. in Pounds Lounge (lower level of Roy L. Smith Student Center)
Commencement Ceremony & Graduate Hooding for Main Campus and Professional Studies/Global students
2:30 p.m. in Stewart Field House (MOVED due to Inclement Weather Plan)
Commencement Details
Inclement Weather Plan has been implemented.
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Commencement Ceremony and Graduate Hooding for Main Campus and Professional Studies students
2:30 p.m. MOVED to Stewart Field House
Graduates line-up in the lower level of Stewart Field House at 1:30 p.m.(Use the Football Locker entrance on the east side of Stewart Field House.)
Please also direct up to six guests to Stewart Field House for the ceremony. Doors open for guests at 1:30 p.m.
Overflow seating is available at Richardson Performing Arts Center where the ceremony will be simulcast. RPAC may provide a more comfortable environment for those with limited mobility.
1:30 p.m. - Pick up name cards and line up in Stewart Field House.
Caps and gowns are worn for this ceremony.
Graduate Students' hoods are carried on your arm until you are hooded on stage.
Line up order is by degree not major.
Procession to the east side of Stewart Field House
Listen carefully to instructions given and follow the junior marshals.
The stage party and the faculty precede you in line. When you proceed to the seating area, sit down to be sure every chair is filled.
The junior marshals will cue you when it is time for your row to stand and proceed to the stage.
During the commencement ceremonies, there will be a picture taken of you and the President and another of you in front of the flags. There will also be a designated area for family to take pictures of you should they choose to do so. See details about A&J Studio Photography here. An institutional gallery of images from Commencement weekend ceremonies will be available at www.sckans.edu/commencement.
You will be given a name card which should be given to the photographer’s assistant when your picture is taken with the flags after crossing the stage.
Return to your seat for the remainder of the ceremony.
Diploma Pick-Up
Graduates whose degrees have been conferred effective May 10 may pick up their diploma immediately after the ceremony at the concession stand at the south end of Jantz Stadium. (Rain plan - Concession stand in Stewart Field House.)
Those who walk but are May 30 or August 30 graduates will be contacted by the Registrar's Office about diploma delivery.
**Graduates with physical limitations should contact the registrar's office at 1-800-846-1543 ext. 6268 by May 1st ***
Weather Updates
In case of inclement weather, the decision to move commencement exercises indoors will be posted on www.sckans.edu/campus, your sckans.edu email and social media sites.
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