2026 Degree Recognition Ceremony

McFarlin Memorial Auditorium
Saturday, May 16, 2026, 12 p.m.

Instructions for Candidates and their Guests

Ticket Guidelines and Allowance

Candidate tickets are required for Meadows Degree Recognition Ceremony. Please familiarize yourself with our guest ticket guidelines. Your understanding and cooperation are greatly appreciated as we celebrate this special milestone together.

Tickets will be available Thursday, April 30 through Wednesday, May 13

  • All students eligible for May graduation may request tickets.
  • Entry tickets are required for everyone, including graduates and guests.
  • Tickets will be available electronically beginning Thursday, April 30 at 9 a.m. at [link coming soon].
  • [link coming soon] will close Wednesday, May 13 at 6 p.m.
  • Each participant may claim 1 ticket for themselves and 4 guest tickets.

Additional ticket options:

  • We encourage you to check with friends or members of your cohort to see if they will be using their full allotment, as tickets may be transferred.
  • You may also request additional tickets by emailing the number needed to MSAevents@smu.edu. These requests will be placed on a waitlist.
  • By noon on Thursday, May 14, participants on the waitlist will be notified by email, in the order requests were received, if additional tickets are available.
  • If you do not receive an email, there were no remaining tickets.

For guests who are unable to acquire a ticket, the livestream will be available in Owen Arts Center.

How to use tickets

Candidates

Upon arrival at the ceremony, tickets must be shown via mobile device. Do not click “Redeem Ticket” before you reach the ticketing staff at McFarlin Memorial Auditorium. Staff must observe you redeem your ticket for entry.

Guests

Students must request tickets for their guests. Guest ticket links can be forwarded to guests and may be transferred; however, tickets can only be redeemed once.

Each ticket must be redeemed using a mobile device at entry to McFarlin Memorial Auditorium. Do not click “Redeem Ticket” before you reach the ticketing staff. Staff must observe you redeem your ticket for entry. If a guest does not have a mobile device, another member of your party can access the ticket from their device. If no one in your party has a working mobile device, please visit the Ticket Office located in the main lobby. You must have claimed tickets in the system before visiting ticket support.

Ticket Warning

Each ticket can only be used once and is nontransferable after redemption. ok资源网 Meadows is not liable for early ticket redemption.

Academic Credentials Verification (Required)

The Meadows Academic Services office (Room 1120 Owen Arts Center) will be open Wednesday, May 6 - Wednesday, May 13, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. for degree candidates to stop in to verify your Academic Credentials, including the accuracy of your name, honors, and degree(s).

To ensure accurate recognition during the ceremony, credential verification is required for participation.
Degree candidates who do not verify their Academic Credentials with an Academic Services staff member by the deadline will not be able to take part in the Meadows Degree Recognition Ceremony, as a credentials card and assigned seat will not be available. Seating for participants is assigned based on verified Academic Credentials cards.

Saturday, May 16 - Information

Arrival: Doors open at 11 a.m. Candidates and Guests should be seated by 11:50 a.m. 

All bags will be checked before entering McFarlin Memorial Auditorium.

Degree Candidates:

  • Candidates are not allowed to bring clear bags, food or drinks into McFarlin Memorial Auditorium. A small clutch is permissible.
  • Regalia (cap and gown) are required to participate.
  • Degree candidates will be seated in assigned rows nearer the stage in sections A through D. The seating for each area of study will be identified by a Faculty Marshal from that Division/Department/Center/Institute.
  • Please note: There is no processional for the degree candidates.

Guests:

  • All bags must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and may not exceed 12x6x12 inches. Bags may be one-gallon clear plastic resealable storage bags. Small clutch purses with or without straps, no larger than 8.5x5.5 inches, are permitted. The clutch does not have to be clear and may be carried separately or within an approved plastic bag. Items that are medically necessary are evaluated individually.

12 p.m.
The processional begins for Platform Party members and Faculty.

Recognition and Presentation of Diploma Covers

Candidates, when it is time for your cohort to proceed backstage:

  • Your Faculty Marshal will stand, followed by your Student Marshal and Student Reader, who will guide you backstage.
  • You will receive your verified Academic Credentials card.
  • As you approach the stage, hand your card to the student reader at the microphone and begin walking toward Dean Holland while your name, degree(s), and honors are read.
  • You will receive your diploma cover with your left hand, shake hands with Dean Holland using your right hand, and pause briefly for a professional photograph by Flash Photography.
  • Continue across the stage to be congratulated by the Associate Dean of Students and your Division/Department/Center/Institute chair or director.
  • After exiting the stage stay in the order in which your name was called, an additional photograph will be taken offstage. Photo proofs and ordering information will be emailed to your ok资源网 email address.
  • Guests, please refrain from approaching the stage for candid photographs.
  • Return to your seat and please remain for the duration of our ceremony, to show the candidates who follow you the admiration they have shown you.

After the final diploma cover is presented, the ceremony will conclude with closing remarks and the singing of Varsity. Candidates will then exit McFarlin Memorial Auditorium to reunite with their guests.

Congratulations!

We are honored to celebrate your achievements and look forward to recognizing this important milestone with you.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Clear bag policy for McFarlin Memorial Auditorium will be in effect.

Accessibility

Owen Arts Center is accessible from Bishop Blvd to Jones Grand Atrium and Plaza on the east, from Harris Promenade to Rogers Center for Visual Arts on the north and from Hillcrest Ave and Sexton Family Courtyard on the west. 

McFarlin Memorial Auditorium is accessible from a ramp entrance at the southeast corner of the building marked with signage for wheelchairs, strollers, walkers or carts. This ramp leads to the lower lobby, with access to any level of the Auditorium via the elevator. The Auditorium has differently abled accessible seating areas with limited space at the back of sections B and D on the orchestra level. Please email meadowsops@smu.edu by Tuesday May 7 to reserve space in these sections. 

Inclement Weather Plan 

Bring an umbrella and wear appropriate footwear, as we will still be processing to McFarlin Memorial Auditorium from Owen Arts Center. 

Questions 

Contact the Meadows Operations and Events Office at 214-768-2713 for questions regarding planning, location of ceremonies, parking, accessibility and all other non-academic questions related to graduation.

For any academic questions contact the Meadows Academic Services Office at 214-768-2754.