Below you will find a guide to each of SMU Guildhall's applicable graduation events for 2023
SMU All-University Commencement
Saturday, May 13, 2023 | 8:30am, Moody Coliseum
At Commencement, candidates from all SMU schools and professional programs will be officially recognized as President Turner confers degrees. You can find ample information about Commencement here, including event requirements and security protocols, ticket ordering, scheduling, and more.
Tickets: Cohort 31 students may request up to two (2) All-University Commencement tickets for guests, plus one (1) candidate entry ticket for themselves. Commencement tickets can be ordered here beginning April 25th at 9:30am CT.
Guests on campus without tickets can attend a ceremony "watch party" at the Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports. Out-of-town family and friends can also watch the ceremony via live stream at smu.edu/live.
Location, Security and Parking: Moody Coliseum is located at 3009 Binkley Ave, Dallas, TX 75205.
Guests may park in any of the University's parking facilities listed here. Based on the location of Commencement, our Ceremony, and our Reception, we recommend: Binkley Parking Center (Binkley Avenue x Ownby Drive), Moody Parking Center (Airline Road x SMU Blvd), or Airline Parking Center (Airline Road x Daniel Avenue). Those with limited mobility attending Commencement may park on the first floor of Binkley Parking Center with a current state-issued disabled parking placard and/or license plate.
Interactive Campus Map
Parking Map
Learn More About Commencement
Order Commencement Tickets (starting April 25)
Order Regalia (details below)
SMU Guildhall Degree Recognition Ceremony & Reception
- Ceremony: Saturday, May 13, 2023 | 11:30am-12:30pm, McFarlin Auditorium
- Reception: Saturday, May 13, 2023 | 12:30-2:00pm, Miller Ballroom/Indoor Performance Center
SMU Guildhall's academic degree recognition ceremony will include a formal address to the graduates, a cohort-selected student speaker, and a formal processional in which each graduate will be recognized as they individually cross the stage and take a portrait to commemorate the occasion.
Immediately following our ceremony, you are invited to a casual reception with light bites at the Miller Ballroom. Celebrate, take photos, and visit with family, friends, and cohortmates in this social space.
Tickets: Candidate and guest tickets are required for the Guildhall Ceremony & Reception. Each graduating student is allowed one (1) for themselves + four (4) for guests. The deadline to order tickets is May 1st. Registration is open.
Is there a way to get extra tickets? Those who would like to submit a request for extra tickets should email medens@smu.edu. Note that a request does not equal a guarantee. Once all students are registered, any unclaimed tickets will be divvied out on a first-request basis.
For guests who are unable to attend, the Guildhall ceremony will be streamed on our Youtube Channel.
Location and Parking: McFarlin Auditorium (ceremony location) is located at 6405 Boaz Lane, Suite 101, Dallas, TX 75205. The Miller Ballroom (reception location) is located within Miller Event Center/Indoor Performance Center at 3009 Binkley Ave, Dallas, TX 75205. It is within walking distance from McFarlin Auditorium, and we recommend walking straight over from our ceremony.
For information on available parking areas, please visit the Commencement website.
Interactive Campus Map
Parking Map
Order Guildhall Ceremony Tickets
Order Regalia (details below)
Additional Information
Regalia Orders
The deadline to order regalia is Wednesday, April 12. Students must order and wear regalia to participate in Commencement and Diploma ceremonies. Regalia includes a graduate cap, gown, and Master's hood (if applicable). You will also receive a specialization-specific stole directly from SMU Guildhall to use at the Guildhall ceremony.
Please note that decorated mortarboards and other adornments may not be worn during All-University Commencement.
Regalia will be shipped directly to students, and students are responsible for steaming and bringing their regalia with them to the Commencement and Diploma ceremonies, as well as returning regalia to Herff Jones. Specific detailed instructions regarding ordering, receiving, and returning regalia have been provided to students via email and can be reviewed here.
Portrait & Video Delivery
A professional processional portrait for each graduating student participating in the Diploma Ceremony will be delivered to that student's SMU email address. These are provided free of charge. SMU photo delivery can take up to four weeks.
Our live-streamed SMU Guildhall ceremony video will be accessible during and immediately after the ceremony and will remain on our YouTube channel for you to watch and share after the event.
For Questions or More Details
Contact Mallory Trumpfheller at medens@smu.edu.