SMU’s May 14 Commencement celebrates academic achievement

SMU will celebrate students' academic accomplishments at its annual Commencement ceremony May 14.

Spring Commencement

DALLAS (SMU) – SMU will celebrate the academic accomplishments of more than 2,500 students at its 101st annual Commencement ceremony at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 14, in Moody Coliseum.

Guests are urged to arrive early as seating in the coliseum is limited to four guests per student. Additional seating will be available for a simulcast of the event at Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports, Crum Auditorium and McFarlin Auditorium. The ceremony also will be broadcast outside Moody Coliseum on Bolin Plaza, and there will be a live webcast of the ceremony at http://www.smu.edu/live.

Spring Commencement

Commencement guests are urged to familiarize themselves with the University’s security policy for Moody Coliseum, also known as the “clear bag policy.” The requirements are designed to support public safety through restricting items that may be carried in to the coliseum.  Please find details at right.

Prior to the start of the ceremony, the digital screens in the center of Moody Coliseum will periodically share social media posts shared by graduates and their guests. Attendees can use the hashtag #SMUgrad on any Twitter or Instagram post to possibly have their post shared on the big screen and show their pride in reaching graduation day.

Technology and civic leaders Richard and Mary Templeton will share the delivery of the SMU Commencement address. Richard Templeton, a member of the SMU Board of Trustees, is president and CEO of Texas Instruments, and Mary Templeton is a philanthropist and community volunteer who had a 14-year career with General Electric before moving to Dallas. Under Mr. Templeton’s leadership, TI and the TI Foundation have invested generously in programs designed to strengthen global education programs, including K-12 STEM teaching and student achievement. Click here to read more about Richard and Mary Templeton.

During the ceremony, an honorary degree will be conferred upon medical researcher Groesbeck Parham, a leader in cancer prevention in Third World countries. Parham will lead a symposium, “Creating Impact in Global Health,” at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11, at Harold Simmons Hall. The symposium is free and open to the public.

Diploma presentation ceremonies will be held at individual schools. Click here for the commencement schedule.

The Baccalaureate Service for undergraduate candidates and their guests will be held at 8 p.m. Friday, May 13, in McFarlin Auditorium. It will be broadcast live at http://www.smu.edu/live.

For a map of the SMU campus, visit www.smu.edu/maps.

PARKING

Those attending Commencement activities at SMU on May 13 - 14 may park for free in any of the University's parking facilities, including the surface lots, at the following locations:

    • Binkley Garage -  At Binkley Avenue and Ownby Drive
    • Moody Garage - Airline Road and SMU Boulevard
    • Airline Garage -  Airline Road and Daniel Avenue
    • Mustang Parking Center – 6001 Bush Avenue at Binkley Avenue
    • Meadows Parking Center – Bishop Boulevard and Schlegel Street north of Mockingbird Lane
    • U Surface Lot – Airline Road and University Boulevard

No parking will be permitted on Bishop Boulevard. Laws and regulations that prohibit parking in fire lanes and limit who may use areas reserved for the disabled are strictly enforced. Please allow extra time to find parking as heavy traffic may affect routes from parking areas to various locations on campus.

For more information 

Learn more about Commencement weekend by clicking here                      

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SMU is a nationally ranked private university in Dallas founded 100 years ago. Today, SMU enrolls approximately 11,000 students who benefit from the academic opportunities and international reach of seven degree-granting schools.

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