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.
The Baccalaureate Service is a non-denominational 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 7:00 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.
Location: Fondren Science Bell Tower
Time: 7:15 p.m
Location: McFarlin Auditorium
Time: 7:20 p.m.
Location: McFarlin Auditorium
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Location: Historic Main Quadrangle and Dallas Hall Rotunda
Time: 9:00 p.m. (approximate)
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.
Location: Crum Basketball Center and Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Location: Moody Coliseum
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Crum Auditorium or Laura Lee Blanton Building
Time: 9:00 a.m.
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.
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.
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Verona Villa
Address: 6591 Dallas Pkwy., Frisco, TX 75034
Contact: Mallory Trumpfheller (214-240-4244, medens@smu.edu)
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.
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.
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Martha Proctor Mack Grand Ball Room, Umphrey Lee Center
Contact: Teresa Janicki (214-768-1405, tjanicki@smu.edu)
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)
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Moody Coliseum
Reception: Collins Center, immediately following ceremony
Contact: Dee Powell (214-768-3012, dpowell@smu.edu)
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Moody Coliseum
Reception: Collins Center, immediately following ceremony
Contact: Dee Powell (214-768-3012, dpowell@smu.edu)
Reception: Dallas Hall Rotunda, 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
** Please check with your department; some ceremonies are ticketed events.
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Location: Martha Proctor Mack Grand Ballroom, Umphrey Lee Center
Contact: Tiffany Powell (214-768-2684, tapowell@smu.edu)
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Martha Proctor Mack Grand Ballroom, Umphrey Lee Center
Contact: Mandy Graham (214-768-2611, mtgraham@smu.edu)
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Location: Hughes-Trigg Theatre
Contact: Mary Varela (214-768-2217, mvarela@smu.edu)
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Location: McCord Auditorium, Dallas Hall
Contact: Stephanie Schwob (214-768-2770, sschwob@smu.edu)
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Location: McFarlin Auditorium
Contact: Stephanie Robertson (214-768-2694, stephanie@smu.edu)
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)
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Location: Hughes-Trigg Theatre
Contact: Margie Evans (214-768-2984, mfevans@smu.edu)
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Location: O'Donnell Hall, Owen Arts Center (Room 2130)
Contact: Sherry Aikman (214-768-8347, saikman@smu.edu)
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Location: Hughes-Trigg Theatre
Time and location of ceremony to be announced at a later date.
Contact: Bonnie Wheeler (214-768-2949, bwheeler@smu.edu)
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: McCord Auditorium, Dallas Hall
Contact: Lacey DeMara (214-768-2118, ldemara@smu.edu)
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: McCord Auditorium, Dallas Hall
Contact: Karen Delk (214-768-2095, kdelk@smu.edu)
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Location: Caruth Auditorium, Owen Arts Center
• This event requires tickets.
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: SMU Indoor Performance Center
Contact: Lisa Ruano (214-768-4924, lruano@smu.edu)
• This event requires tickets.
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: SMU Indoor Performance Center
Contact: Karen Delk (214-768-4011, kdelk@smu.edu)
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Location: Moody Coliseum
Contact: Bobbye Heine (214-768-2108, bheine@smu.edu)
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
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)
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: McFarlin Auditorium
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.
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)
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.
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.