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.

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 below.

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.

Richard Templeton and Mary Templeton
Richard and Mary Templeton

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.

NEW SECURITY AND
CLEAR-BAG POLICY

Clear PurseAll guests are screened with a hand wand; all bags are checked.

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to, animals (except licensed service animals), backpacks, binocular cases, briefcases, camera bags, cans, cinch bags, computer bags, coolers, diaper bags, fanny packs, firearms, glass bottles, guns, inflated balloons, knives of any size and type, laser pointers, luggage, noisemakers, purses larger than a small clutch, radios, seat cushions with zippers, pockets or compartments, selfie sticks, signs, stun guns, throwing objects, umbrellas (unless threat of rain or raining), and weapons.

All bags must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and may not exceed 12 X 6 X 12 inches. Bags may be one-gallon clear plastic resealable storage bags.  

Small clutch purses with or without straps, no larger than 8.5 X 5.5 inches, are permitted.  

The clutch DOES NOT have to be clear and may be carried separately or within an approved plastic bag. 

Items that are medically necessary are evaluated individually.  

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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