Schedule of Events

All-University Commencement Convocation

Saturday, May 14

Location: Gerald J. Ford Stadium
Time: 9:00 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.

Dallas Hall Rotunda Walk

Saturday, May 15

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.

Degree Recognition Ceremonies

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.

Friday, May 14

Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development

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

Perkins School of Theology

A Celebration of Degrees and Academic Achievements
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Location: Moody Coliseum 
Contact: Joe Monroy (214-768-2152, jmonroy@smu.edu) 

Cox School of Business

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)

Saturday, May 15

Dedman School of Law

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)

The Guildhall at SMU, Hart eCenter

Time: 11:00 a.m.
Location: McFarlin Auditorium
Contact: Mallory Trumpfheller (214-240-4244, medens@smu.edu)

Requires Tickets

Lyle School of Engineering

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)

Master of Science in Data Science

Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: McFarlin Auditorium
Contact: Brenda Park (214-768-8446, blpark@smu.edu)

Meadows School of the Arts

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

Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences

Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Ford Stadium
Contact: Barbara Thomas (214-768-2480, bcthomas@smu.edu)

Residential Commons Graduation Receptions

Saturday, May 15

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.

Class of 1970 and 1971 Reunions

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.