Spring 2026 Commencement
SAU’s Spring 2026 Commencement ceremonies will be held on Friday – Saturday, May 8 – 9, in the W.T. Watson Athletic Center basketball gym.
There will be four graduation ceremonies this spring, divided by college and degree level:
Friday, May 8
- 10:00am: College of Science & Engineering undergraduates (associate’s and bachelor’s degrees)
- 2:00pm: College of Education & Human Performance undergraduates (associate’s and bachelor’s degrees)
- 4:00pm: Rankin College of Business and Dempsey College of Liberal & Performing Arts undergraduates (associate’s and bachelor’s degrees)
Saturday, May 9
- 11:00am: Graduate students in all colleges (master’s and doctoral)
The ceremony will also be livestreamed on the SAU Facebook page for those unable to attend in person.
Graduates should arrive for check-in at the Auxiliary Gym at least one hour before the ceremony begins. The easiest way to find the check-in area is to go in the main entrance to the Watson facility and then follow the posted signs down the side hallway to make your way around to the auxiliary gym.
Regalia and Dress Considerations
Graduation regalia (caps and gowns, plus hoods for master’s and doctoral students) will be available to pick up at the SAU Bookstore during regular business hours beginning the week before graduation. You can also pick up your regalia at the check-in area in the Auxiliary Gym the day of the ceremony. If you would prefer to receive your regalia by mail, please contact the bookstore at (870) 235-4050 once the pickup period begins. The cost of shipping is $7.50. The cost of regalia is included in your graduation fee, and it will be yours to keep after the ceremony.
Only University-approved accessories, such as academic cords, stoles, and medallions from within academic disciplines, may be worn over regalia. Decorated caps are not permitted. Graduates will be asked to remove any unauthorized items. There is no dress code for attire beyond your regalia, but we suggest business casual or similar.
Guest Information
There is no guest limit for graduation and tickets are not required, so graduates may have as many guests attend as they would like. But since guest seating is first come, first served, we suggest letting guests know to arrive at least 30-45 minutes before the ceremony starts to make sure they’re able to get their choice of seating. There will be designated handicapped seating available at the floor level for those who need it.
Photography
Grisham Photography will be taking professional pictures during the ceremony. An envelope included in your regalia bag will provide instructions about purchasing these photographs. Photography order envelopes can also be picked up and dropped off at the check-in table before the ceremony, or orders can be made by contacting Grisham Photography directly at (318) 539-3489 or j.grisham@hotmail.com.
Diplomas
Digital diplomas for all graduates will be available approximately 30 days after the ceremony. You will receive an email and text message from Parchment with a link to claim your digital diploma and confirm your mailing address for your physical diploma.
Physical diplomas will be printed and mailed via Parchment approximately 60-90 days after commencement. If your address has changed since you applied for graduation, please send your updated address information to registrar@saumag.edu to prevent any delay in receiving your diploma.
