Events

Schedule of Events

 

SMU's 105th Commencement Weekend is May 15 and 16, 2020. The activities that make up Commencement Weekend showcase some of the University's best traditions and are designed to recognize the pride we all feel in our students' accomplishments. The spirit of community combined with our celebration of the individual is what makes SMU's Commencement a special time.

Below you will find schedules and descriptions of the events that make up Commencement Weekend.

Baccalaureate Service (Undergraduate Candidates Only)

Baccalaureate Service

Friday, May 15

The Baccalaureate Service is a religious ceremony held the Friday evening before May Commencement Convocation in McFarlin Auditorium. This small and intimate service features a special sermon for undergraduate candidates and their guests. The service lasts approximately one hour. Seating in McFarlin Auditorium is limited; therefore, candidates may request two guest tickets. Extra tickets not requested for Baccalaureate are distributed on the stairs in front of McFarlin Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. Please see Request Weekend Tickets for more information. The ceremony is simulcast in the Hughes-Trigg Theater.

One of the University's most symbolic traditions is Rotunda Passage, which includes both a processional and a recessional. The processional occurs the day before students' first day of classes as new students. Students process through the back of Dallas Hall, through the Rotunda and onto the quad as a new member of the SMU student body. This tradition is concluded with the Rotunda Recessional following the Baccalaureate Service during Commencement Weekend. Undergraduate candidates, led by faculty and alumni marshals, march through the front doors of Dallas Hall, through the Rotunda and around to the quad.

Rotunda Recessional is a symbolic departure from campus and serves as a welcome to the newest members of the SMU alumni family.

Alumni who are parents of graduating seniors are welcome to participate as marshals for Baccalaureate. Please contact Mindy Rowland-Hess at 214-768-4741.

Carillon Concert

Location: Fondren Science Bell Tower
Time: 7:15 p.m

Arrival of Candidates

Location: McFarlin Auditorium
Time: 7:20 p.m.

Baccalaureate Service

Location: McFarlin Auditorium
Time: 8:00 p.m.

  • Students may request two guest tickets. Doors to McFarlin open at 6:45 p.m. and guests with tickets must be in their seats by 7:45 p.m.
  • Any remaining tickets are distributed at 6:30 p.m. on the steps of McFarlin.
  • Rotunda Recessional follows the Baccalaureate Service.
  • Live simulcast held in the Hughes-Trigg Student Center Theatre.

Rotunda Recessional

Location: Historic Main Quadrangle and Dallas Hall Rotunda
Time: 9:00 p.m. (approximate)

All-University Commencement Convocation

All-University Commencement Convocation

Saturday, May 16

On Saturday morning, the all-University May Commencement Convocation assembles degree candidates from all of SMU's schools and professional programs. The ceremony takes place in Moody Coliseum, which is transformed by the pageantry. Students and faculty, dressed in academic regalia, march into the ceremony to grand, processional music.

Honorary degree recipients are hooded and doctoral candidates are given their hoods, Commencement speakers impart knowledge to our newest class of candidates and President Turner confers degrees. At the conclusion of the ceremony, "Varsity" is played and a prayer is said for the new alumni.

The ceremony lasts approximately two hours. Tickets are required. Simulcast locations for overflow guests are Crum Auditorium and the Laura Lee Blanton Building. For guests who are unable to attend, the ceremony will be simulcast live at smu.edu/live.

Assembly of Candidates for Procession (Candidates Only)

Location: Crum Basketball Center and Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports 
Time: 7:30 a.m.

  • SMU custom regalia and candidate ticket required.

All-University Commencement Convocation

Location: Moody Coliseum
Time: 9:00 a.m.

  • Guest tickets required.

All-University Commencement Convocation Simulcasts

Location: Crum Auditorium or Laura Lee Blanton Building
Time: 9:00 a.m.

Commencement Luncheon

The Commencement Buffet Luncheon will be held Saturday, May 16 during Commencement Weekend from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Arnold Dining Commons, located within walking distance of Moody Coliseum. SMU graduates eat free with the purchase of a guest meal. Pre-paid reservations are highly recommended and can be made by calling our reservation line at 469-786-7069 beginning Monday, April 6. If you have any questions regarding the luncheon, please e-mail dining@smu.edu.

Honorary Degrees and Symposium

Honorary Degrees and Symposium

The 2020 Honorary Degree recipients will be announced at a later date.

Diploma Presentation Ceremonies and Receptions

Diploma Presentation Ceremonies and Receptions

The academic school or departmental ceremony is an opportunity for each program to celebrate as a cohort group and honor each graduate as they walk across the stage to receive their diploma. Contact your particular school or department for more information.

Friday, May 15

The Guildhall at SMU, Hart eCenter

Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Verona Villa 
Address: 6591 Dallas Pkwy., Frisco, TX 75034
Contact: Mallory Trumpfheller (214-240-4244, medens@smu.edu)

Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development

PhD, EdD, Master of Education, Master of Bilingual Education, and UG Education Studies

Time: 11:00 a.m.
Location: McFarlin Auditorium
Reception: Harold Clark Simmons Hall Atrium, immediately following ceremony
Contact: Tamra Gayle (214-768-7587, simmonsgraduation@smu.edu)

• This event requires tickets.

Counseling, Dispute Resolution, Doctor of Liberal Studies, Master of Liberal Studies, Master of Science in Health Promotion Management, GR Sport Management, and UG APSM

Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: McFarlin Auditorium
Reception: Annette Caldwell Simmons Hall Atrium, immediately following ceremony
Contact: Tamra Gayle (214-768-7587, simmonsgraduation@smu.edu)

• This event requires tickets.

Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences

World Languages

Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Martha Proctor Mack Grand Ball Room, Umphrey Lee Center
Contact: Teresa Janicki (214-768-1405, tjanicki@smu.edu)

Master of Science in Applied Statistics and Data Analytics

Time: 6:00 p.m
Location: Magnolia Dallas Park Cities Hotel
Address: 6070 N Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75206
Contact: Gina Diaz (214-768-3034, ginnyd@smu.edu)

Saturday, May 16

Cox School of Business - Undergraduate

Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Moody Coliseum
Reception: Collins Center, immediately following ceremony
Contact: Dee Powell (214-768-3012, dpowell@smu.edu)

Cox School of Business - Graduate

Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Moody Coliseum
Reception: Collins Center, immediately following ceremony
Contact: Dee Powell (214-768-3012, dpowell@smu.edu)

Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences

Reception: Dallas Hall Rotunda, 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
** Please check with your department; some ceremonies are ticketed events.

Anthropology

Time: 3:30 p.m.
Location: Martha Proctor Mack Grand Ballroom, Umphrey Lee Center
Contact: Tiffany Powell (214-768-2684, tapowell@smu.edu)

Bio-Chemistry and Chemistry

Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Martha Proctor Mack Grand Ballroom, Umphrey Lee Center
Contact: Mandy Graham (214-768-2611, mtgraham@smu.edu)

Biological Sciences

Time: 3:30 p.m.
Location: Hughes-Trigg Theatre
Contact: Mary Varela (214-768-2217, mvarela@smu.edu)

Earth Sciences

Time: 12:30 p.m.
Location: McCord Auditorium, Dallas Hall
Contact: Stephanie Schwob (214-768-2770, sschwob@smu.edu)

Economics

Time: 4:00 p.m.
Location: McFarlin Auditorium
Contact: Stephanie Robertson (214-768-2694, stephanie@smu.edu)

English

Time: 12:30 p.m.
Location: Martha Proctor Mack Grand Ballroom, Umphrey Lee Center
Contact:  Matthew Biggin (214-768-2945, mbiggin@smu.edu) or Mary Felipe (214-768-2946, mfelipe@smu.edu)

History

Time: 1:30 p.m.
Location: Hughes-Trigg Theatre
Contact: Margie Evans (214-768-2984, mfevans@smu.edu)

Human Rights

Time: 1:30 p.m.
Location: O'Donnell Hall, Owen Arts Center (Room 2130)
Contact: Sherry Aikman (214-768-8347, saikman@smu.edu)

Mathematics, Physics and Statistical Science

Time: 12:00 p.m.
Location: Hughes-Trigg Theatre

Medieval Studies

Time and location of ceremony to be announced at a later date.
Contact: Bonnie Wheeler (214-768-2949, bwheeler@smu.edu)

Philosophy

Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: McCord Auditorium, Dallas Hall
Contact: Lacey DeMara (214-768-2118, ldemara@smu.edu)

Religious Studies

Time: 12:00 p.m.
Location: Bridwell Library Blue Room
Contact: Karen Delk (214-768-2095, kdelk@smu.edu)

Political Science, International Studies, and Public Policy

Time: 12:30 p.m.
Location: Caruth Auditorium, Owen Arts Center

  • Political Science Contact: Melissa Emmert (214-768-4171, memmert@smu.edu)
  • International Studies/Latin American Studies Contact: Ray Rafidi (214-768-3665, rrafidi@smu.edu)
  • Public Policy Contact: Christine Carberry (214-768-2526, carberry@smu.edu)

• This event requires tickets.

Psychology

Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Hughes-Trigg Ballroom
Contact: Lisa Ruano (214-768-4924, lruano@smu.edu)

• This event requires tickets.

Sociology and Markets and Culture

Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Hughes-Trigg Ballroom
Contact: Karen Delk (214-768-4011, kdelk@smu.edu)

Dedman School of Law Hooding Ceremony

Time: 8:00 p.m.
Location: Moody Coliseum 
Contact: Bobbye Heine (214-768-2108, bheine@smu.edu)

Lyle School of Engineering

Time: 5:00 p.m.
Location: Moody Coliseum
Reception: Precedes the diploma ceremony, 3:00 p.m., Hillcrest Foundation Amphitheater and Mabee Foundation Foyer, Caruth Hall, lower level

Master of Science in Data Science

Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: The Beeman Hotel
Address: 6070 N Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75206
Contact: John Pladocostante (214-768-1134, jpladocostante@smu.edu)

Meadows School of the Arts

Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Owen Arts Center - Outdoors
Reception: 4 p.m. in the Greer Garson Theatre Lobby, preceding the Meadows Ceremony
Contact: Meadows Operations and Events Office at 214-768-2713 or 214-768-4211 (https://www.smu.edu/Meadows/NewsAndEvents/Graduation)
• For questions regarding degree candidacy, eligibility to participate in the ceremonies, etc., contact Jennifer R. Smith at 214 -768 -2754.

Perkins School of Theology

A Celebration of Degrees and Academic Achievements
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Highland Park United Methodist Church, Sanctuary
Reception: Great Hall, Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Hall, immediately following ceremony
Contact: Joe Monroy (214-768-2152, jmonroy@smu.edu)

Residential Commons Graduation Receptions

Residential Commons Graduation Receptions

Saturday, May 16

All receptions for graduating seniors, both those residing in the commons or alumni of the commons, are held immediately following the All-University Commencement Convocation in their respective Residential Common. 

Class of 1970 Reunion

Class of 1970 Reunion

The SMU Class of 1970 celebrates its 50-year reunion the weekend of May 15-16, 2020. Led by reunion co-chairs, our newest Golden Mustangs receive special recognition as they process in the Commencement ceremony. For more information or to register for your 50th reunion, please contact SMU Reunion Programs at 1-800-766-4371, by e-mail reunionyear@smu.edu or by visiting smu.edu/50years.