SMU's 106th Commencement Weekend is May 14 and 15, 2021. 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.
Location: Gerald J. Ford Stadium
Time: 8:00 a.m.
On Saturday morning, the all-University May Commencement Convocation assembles degree candidates from all of SMU's schools and professional programs. Commencement speakers will offer their congratulations to our newest class of graduates and President Turner will confer degrees. Doctoral students (Ph.D., Ed.D., DE, and DLS) will receive recognition as they cross the stage. At the conclusion of the ceremony, "Varsity" is played and a prayer is said for the new alumni.
Candidate and guest tickets are required for entry into Ford Stadium. Please see Request Commencement Tickets for more information. Additional guests over the allotted four guest tickets per candidate may watch the ceremony at a simulcast location in Crum Auditorium or Hughes-Trigg Student Center Theater.
Face coverings are required at all times and social distancing guidelines must be maintained. For guests who are unable to attend, the ceremony will be streamed live at smu.edu/live.
Time: 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
Location: Historic Main Quadrangle and Dallas Hall Rotunda
Self-guided and self-paced
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 undergraduate students' first day of classes. 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 Rotunda Recessional during Commencement Weekend following Baccalaureate. As SMU remains committed to the health and safety of the SMU community, the formal Rotunda Recessional has been replaced with a Dallas Hall Rotunda Walk.
During the Dallas Hall Rotunda Walk, graduates and their guests walk through the front doors of Dallas Hall, through the Rotunda and exit out the back of Dallas Hall. This is a symbolic departure from campus and serves as a welcome to the newest members of the SMU alumni family.
Face coverings are required on the steps of Dallas Hall and inside the building. Tickets are not required.
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. Contact your particular school or department for more information.
PhD, EdD, Master of Education, Master of Bilingual Education, and UG Education Studies
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Moody Coliseum
Contact: Tamra Gayle (214-768-7587, simmonsgraduation@smu.edu)
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: 12:30 p.m.
Location: Moody Coliseum
Contact: Tamra Gayle (214-768-7587, simmonsgraduation@smu.edu)
Requires tickets
A Celebration of Degrees and Academic Achievements
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Location: Moody Coliseum
Contact: Joe Monroy (214-768-2152, jmonroy@smu.edu)
Undergraduate Ceremony
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Location: Ford Stadium
Contact: Dee Powell (214-768-3012, dpowell@smu.edu)
Graduate Ceremony
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Ford Stadium
Contact: Dee Powell (214-768-3012, dpowell@smu.edu)
Class of 2020
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Moody Coliseum
Contact: Bobbye Heine (214-768-2108, bheine@smu.edu)
Class of 2021
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Moody Coliseum
Contact: Bobbye Heine (214-768-2108, bheine@smu.edu)
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Location: McFarlin Auditorium
Contact: Mallory Trumpfheller (214-240-4244, medens@smu.edu)
Requires Tickets
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Location: Ford Stadium
Graduate Contact: Jim Dees (214-768-1456, jdees@smu.edu)
Undergraduate Contact: LaDonna Moore (214-768-1732, lrmoore@smu.edu)
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: McFarlin Auditorium
Contact: Brenda Park (214-768-8446, blpark@smu.edu)
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Moody Coliseum
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.
Requires Tickets
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Ford Stadium
Contact: Barbara Thomas (214-768-2480, bcthomas@smu.edu)
All celebrations for graduating seniors, both those residing in the commons or alumni of the commons, are held immediately following the All-University Commencement Convocation outside their respective Residential Common. If it rains, celebration items can be picked up from the Residential Common's lobby.
The SMU Class of 1971 celebrates its 50-year reunion and the SMU Class of 1970 celebrates its delayed 50-year reunion the weekend of May 14-15, 2021. Led by reunion co-chairs, our reunion groups will receive special recognition during the Commencement ceremony. Later that afternoon, they will official become Golden Mustangs. 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.
