Commencement

Where do I report?

Graduation Candidates are asked to arrive on campus on May 9 at 10:30 am and report to the appropriate classroom in Foster Hall. (See locations below)

• TSACS: 5th floor, Room 528
• SOE: 5th floor, Room 529
• CAENS: 4th floor hallway
• CAS: 3rd floor
    - Biology: Room 325
    - Chemistry - Mathematics: Room 326
    - Music - Sociology: Room 327
• CBIS: 2nd floor, Library
• COE: 2nd floor, Auditorium
• SONAH: 3rd floor
    - Health Science: Room 328
    - Nursing: Room 329

Info from the Registrar

The Registrar’s Office is sending two emails on Thursday. One email will ask you to confirm where you would like your diploma mailed. 

The other is information that will be forwarded to the photographers who will capture your graduation photo.

What do I tell my family?

Family and friends are welcome to the ceremony on May 9, but Tickets are required to enter the Chappie James Arena. Graduation Candidates will issue tickets to their guests. Parking IS NOT allowed on campus for the Undergraduate Ceremony. Guests should park at BTW High School or TIMS Middle School and catch the Shuttle to campus. Shuttles will begin pickup at 10:45 am.

Tickets

• Tickets are required to enter the Chappie James Arena for everyone two years old and above. Graduating Students will issue tickets to their guests.
• No tickets are required for the overflow locations (The TU Chapel and Logan Hall).
• Tickets will be distributed to Graduating Students on Thursday, May 7th, immediately after rehearsal (or at 12:Noon) at OneStop located in Margaret Murray Washington Hall.
• For Graduating Students who could not pick up their tickets on Thursday, the alternative day to pick up tickets is Friday, May 8th from 10am-2pm at OneStop. Any extra tickets will also be distributed at that time.
• On Commencement Day, Graduating Students will enter campus via the Farm Road gate and park in the large parking area behind Foster Hall near the Commons apartments.

Parking for Graduation Candidates

Graduation Candidates participating in the 2026 Commencement Ceremony will enter campus through the Farm Gate, and will park in the parking lot behind Foster Hall, the West Parking Lot, and the School of Engineering parking area.

Watch from wherever you are

The ceremony will be live-streamed on May 9. Those who cannot attend may CLICK HERE TO WATCH. 

Candidates are asked to adhere to the following Guidelines:

Procedures

• All candidates are required to wear approved academic regalia --traditional caps and gowns. Persons who are not in compliance with approved academic regalia will not be permitted to participate in the Commencement Exercises. Decorating of caps and stoles will be permitted as long as they are kept within the Tuskegee University’s tradition of character and excellence. (See Guidelines below)
• Candidates should wear black shoes and clothing that harmonize with academic regalia. Comfortable attire is recommended.
• Academic regalia is most appropriate when worn without jewelry such as bangles, large necklaces, or large earrings.
• Chewing gum is inappropriate and not permitted.
• Smoking is prohibited at all times.
• Behaviors that disrupt the Commencement Ceremony are prohibited. Gestures such as dances, flips, gyrating, twirling, stepping and yelling are not allowed.
• Sneakers, fuzzy slippers, flip flops, and crocs of any kind are not allowed, and heeled shoes over 4 inches in height are prohibited.
• Men should remove their hats during the Invocation, Benediction and the singing of the Tuskegee Song.
• All candidates will rise, as a group, when presented to the President by their respective deans.
• After receiving the diploma cover replica, candidates must return to their seats and remain until the conclusion of the Commencement Exercises.
• Only University authorized photographers/videographers are permitted on the floor to take pictures or video during the Commencement Exercises.

Graduation Cap Decoration

Decorations on graduation caps (mortar boards) are a symbol of pride and accomplishment. The decorations represent personalized statements about accomplishments that can be presented in the form of a quote, an image, a symbol, or other things.

To ensure that commencement exercises remain dignified celebrations of achievement of all students, the following rules must be followed when decorating caps for graduation:

• Decorations should not interfere with attaching the tassel to the cap.
• Only the flat top of the TU-issued cap may be decorated.
• Decorations may not hang off the sides of the cap.
• Large 3-D embellishments may interfere with the view of students seated behind you and are, therefore, prohibited.
• Graduation caps must not have any advertisements, symbols, words or slogans conveying messages inappropriate at a dignified commencement ceremony.
• Caps must not threaten the safety of others or use any hate speech of any kind.
• Caps must be consistent with the code of conduct for Tuskegee University.
• Obscene, profane, or vulgar language is expressly prohibited.
• Words or items diminishing or slandering toward any individual, institution, faculty, staff, student, or the University are prohibited on graduation caps.
• Decorations are prohibited on academic gowns and hoods.

Not sure if your decorations meet the guidelines? Email Student Affairs for guidance: studentaffairs@tuskegee.edu.

Failure to adhere to these rules for graduation cap decoration and/or instructions from commencement event staff could result in a student’s removal from commencement exercises and may add a Student Conduct Violation to the student’s record.

• Final Examination Schedule for Degree Candidates: Students who have made application for Spring Commencement are required to complete final examinations April 27th – 30th.
• Graduating seniors must clear all substitutions, incomplete grades and any other academic conditions, within the first half of their graduating term. 
• Graduate students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 in all courses submitted in fulfillment of the degree requirements. Candidates must have been in residence for at least two semesters, one of which shall be the semester during which the degree is awarded.
• If a student does not complete the academic requirements, a new application must be filed for a subsequent graduation.  A separate application fee must be paid with each application.
• It is the student's responsibility to verify his/her academic status with his/her Department Head. It is also the student's responsibility to settle all financial obligations.
• All Candidates must clear financial accounts in the Bursar's Office, and complete the LOAN EXIT COUNSELING (Studentaid.gov), if any form of Loans were used.
• Degree candidates will not be financially cleared for graduation unless they have completed their LOAN EXIT COUNSELING and satisfied their financial obligations. (Please contact the Bursar's Office for the exact date).
• Degree Candidates will be notified of their graduation status via their Tuskegee University TigerWeb account. Click on "Graduation Clearance" under Academic Planning.  Students should contact the TU Information Technology Department if they have problems with their TigerWeb account.
• The Graduation Application fee* ($40.00 per degree) must be paid at the Cashier's window, Kresge Center or ONLINE one month prior to graduation.  Students who pay for more than one of the same degree must notify the Registrar.
• All Candidates who do not plan to participate in Commencement Exercises must notify the Registrar in writing before April 30th. (Degreeeval@tuskegee.edu)

To support guests with accessibility needs, the following accommodations and logistics will be in place on commencement day. All guests, including those utilizing ADA accommodations, must have a valid commencement ticket for entry.

ADA Drop-Off & Parking

Designated drivers may drop off elderly guests and individuals with mobility needs at the circular drive near the airplane in front of the Chappie James Center. This location provides direct access to the building’s elevator.

After drop-off, drivers should proceed to park in the Foster Hall (Engineering Building) parking lot, located directly across the street and within visible distance of the drop-off area. Individuals must display a valid handicap placard to access this reserved area.

Please note that the circular drive-in front of the Chappie James Center is reserved strictly for ADA drop-off and emergency vehicles. No parking is permitted in this area. Unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Accessible Seating

Wheelchair-accessible seating is available in designated corner sections of the gymnasium bleachers. A total of 16 designated spaces are available, with each space accommodating up to two wheelchairs. Seating is offered on a first-come, first-served basis for guests requiring ADA accommodations.

Building Entry & Elevator Access

Guests utilizing ADA access should enter through the designated entrances and proceed to the elevator for access to the third floor.

Shuttle Service & Venue Opening

On-campus shuttle service will begin at 10:00 AM from Foster Hall (Engineering Building) parking lot.

The Chappie James Center will open to guests at 10:30 AM.

ASL Interpretation Services

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation services will be provided during the Commencement ceremony. A qualified ASL interpreter will be present to ensure that all spoken portions of the program are accessible to guests who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Requesting Accommodations

Guests who require additional accommodations are encouraged to submit a request in advance using the following link:
Commencement Accommodation Request Form

Contact Information

For questions or additional assistance, please contact:

Kimber Holmes
Office: (334) 727-4343,
Cell: (334) 421-9158
Email: kholmes@tuskegee.edu

Click on the button below to see the updated FAQs.

Commencement FAQs

All degree candidates should dress in a manner appropriate for the dignity and solemnity of the University’s Commencement Exercises. All degree candidates must wear academic regalia (caps and gowns) to the Commencement exercises. Graduation attire should not be removed at any point during the University’s Commencement Exercises. Graduates should wear black shoes and clothing that harmonize with academic regalia. Sneakers, fuzzy slippers, flip flops, and crocs of any kind are not allowed, and heeled shoes over 4 inches in height are prohibited. Please note that Dress Attire will be enforced. Those not in dress attire will be removed from the Line of March.

We understand that some graduates may have cultural or personal preferences for dress attire, and those who need to wear specific attire for religious or cultural purposes (e.g., hijab, etc) are welcomed to do so. However, for those outside of those specified needs, we ask that you respect the formality of the occasion and adhere to the dress code guidelines. We want to ensure that all graduates are presented in a uniform manner and that the focus remains on celebrating your academic achievements.

THE CAP

The approved cap of the academic costume is the mortar board or Oxford cap- a stiff board nine inches square, usually covered in cotton poplin, Russell cord, or spun rayon, placed on a soft cap made of the same material and jointed in a pointed design in front and back. The front of the cap is shorter than the back, but the color is always that of the gown and is uniformly black for the four-year colleges. The use of velvet material has been reserved for the cap for the doctor’s degree. A silk cord with a tassel made of many strands of threads is attached to a button in the center of the board. The length of the cord and tassel may vary with the degree of the wearer.

THE GOWN

The basic design for gowns is similar for all degrees; the minor variations in fullness and length of sleeves and trimmings are indicative of degree levels. Cotton poplin fabric is used for the bachelor’s and master’s gown, and ribbed rayon or silk material is reserved for the doctor’s gown.

THE HOOD

No longer worn for warmth, the hood has become the colorful standard bearer of academic symbolism. It varies in length from three feet to three and a half feet, representing the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s degree, respectively. The colors or colors of the lining of the hood is trimmed or edged in a border of velvet either two inches, three inches, or five inches in width for the bachelor’s, master’s and doctor’s degree. The border color represents the faculty or field of study in which the degree was awarded.
 
Information taken from The Admissions, Academic Records, and Registrar Handbook of Policies and Procedures, C. James Quann and Associates: 1979.

HONORS REGALIA

In recognition of scholarship of high quality, a student may graduate with distinction according to the following cumulative grade point averages:

• Summa Cum Laude (3.75) - Gold shoulder stole/crimson letters 
• Magna Cum Laude (3.50) - Gold shoulder stole/crimson letters 
• Cum Laude (3.25) Cords - One gold and one crimson

Candidates for honors must qualify one semester prior to commencement. Regalia for honor students will be issued at graduation rehearsal. Students are permitted to keep honors regalia.

PLEASE NOTE:

All seniors completing graduation requirements should place orders for graduation regalia with the Tuskegee Campus Bookstore. Order should be placed early to receive regalia in time for the Commencement Ceremony. For more information (regarding regalia and invitations), call 334-727-8844.

Academic Terms: “Alumni” and Others

• alumna - Use this singular term for a female graduate.
• alumnus - Use this singular term for a male graduate.
• alumnae - Use this plural term for a group of female graduates.
• alumni - Use this plural term for former students or graduates, whether referring to a group of males or a group consisting of males and females.
• alma mater - A term that may be used when referring to Tuskegee University, the university from which you have graduated.

Degrees

• Bachelor of Arts - B.A.
• Bachelor of Science - B.S.
• Master of Arts - M.A.
• Master of Science - M.S.
• Doctor of Philosophy - Ph.D.
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine - DVM

Tuskegee University Alumni Associations:

• Tuskegee National Alumni Association, Inc. (TNAA)
• Tuskegee University National Athletic Association (TUNAA)
• Tuskegee University Agriculture, Environment & Nutrition Sciences Alumni Association (TUAENSAA)
• Tuskegee Architecture and Construction Alumni Association (TACAA)
• Tuskegee University Nursing Alumni Association (TUNNAA)
• Tuskegee University Band Alumni Association (TUBAA)
• Tuskegee Veterinary Medical Alumni Association (TVMAA)
• Tuskegee University Engineering Alumni Association (TUEAA)

In honor of Tuskegee University's 25th Anniversary in 1906, Paul Laurence Dunbar was asked by Founder, Booker T. Washington, to write a poem capturing the Tuskegee spirit. The following words were authored by Dunbar, America's most famous Black poet at the time, in compliance with Washington's request. A melody suggested by Dunbar was replaced at a later time by the present tune composed by Nathaniel Clark Smith, Tuskegee University Band Director (1906-1913).

The Tuskegee Song

by Paul Laurence Dunbar

I

Tuskegee, thou pride of the swift growing South
We pay thee our homage today
For the worth of thy teaching, the joy of thy care;
And the good we have known 'neath thy sway.
Oh, long-striving mother of diligent sons
And of daughters whose strength is their pride,
We will love thee forever and ever shall walk
Thro' the oncoming years at thy side.

II

Thy Hand we have held up the difficult steeps,
When painful and slow was the pace,
And onward and upward we've labored with thee
For the glory of God and our race.
The fields smile to greet us, the forests are glad,
The ring of the anvil and hoe
Have a music as thrilling and sweet as a harp
Which thou taught us to hear and to know.

III

Oh, mother Tuskegee, thou shinest today
As a gem in the fairest of lands;
Thou gavest the Heav'n-blessed power to see
The worth of our minds and our hands.
We thank thee, we bless thee, we pray for thee years
Imploring with grateful accord,
Full fruit for thy striving, time longer to strive,
Sweet love and true labor's reward.