SMU Commencement Weekend
We are thrilled to celebrate the Class of 2026 with students, families, faculty and friends. Commencement Weekend honors SMU’s proud traditions while marking the beginning of life as alumni.
May ceremonies
Commencement Weekend at a glance
Baccalaureate Service and Rotunda Recessional
Friday, May 15, 2026, 5 p.m.McFarlin Auditorium
All-University Commencement
Saturday, May 16, 2026, 7 p.m.Gerald J. Ford Stadium
About the traditions
Baccalaureate Service: A nondenominational religious service for undergraduate candidates and their guests. The service lasts approximately one hour.
Rotunda Recessional: One of SMU’s most symbolic traditions. Students who entered through Dallas Hall during the Rotunda Processional as new undergraduates now march out through the front doors of Dallas Hall, led by faculty and alumni marshals, symbolizing their departure from campus and their welcome into the alumni family.
All-University Commencement: Brings together degree candidates from all schools and programs. The Commencement speaker will share remarks and offer their congratulations to our newest class of graduates, and the University president will confer degrees. The ceremony will conclude with the playing of Varsity and a firework celebration.
Ceremony details
Baccalaureate Service
Arrival and regalia: Arrive by 4:30 p.m. in full regalia and be seated in McFarlin Auditorium. Learn more about regalia.
Tickets: Required for all candidates and guests. Graduates must declare their intention to participate to request tickets. Learn more about tickets.
All-University Commencement
Arrival: Graduates should arrive to Pettus Practice Field between 6-6:40 p.m. dressed in regalia. All graduates will go through security. Student procession to Ford Stadium will begin at 6:45 p.m. Please arrive early for security and traffic; gates will close promptly at the start.
Regalia: Wear full SMU regalia. Additional adornments and decorated mortarboards are welcome. Students without regalia will be directed to the bookstore. Learn more about regalia.
Tickets: Required for all candidates and guests into Ford Stadium. There is no ticket limit for All-University Commencement, but every graduate must have a ticket at entry. Learn more about tickets.
Security: Ford Stadium has a clear bag policy. Please plan to leave bags, purses, coats and other personal belongings at home or in your car. Cell phones should be silenced. Learn more about prohibited items.
Inclement weather: University officials will announce any weather-related changes on the Commencement website and in the SMU Aware app. In case of rain, Commencement may still be held outdoors at Ford Stadium; graduates will receive ponchos, and guests should bring their own rain gear. Should severe weather be expected to clear in the evening, the ceremony may be delayed. If the severe weather plan is implemented, the event will take place at 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Ford Stadium.
Baccalaureate Ceremony
• Due to capacity, each graduate is allotted two guest tickets for Baccalaureate. Simulcast available in Oren Auditorium in Hughes-Trigg.
• Doors will open for guests beginning at 4 p.m. Graduates should arrive by 4:30 p.m. dressed in full academic regalia. Guests will be directed to the upper seating levels of McFarlin Auditorium.
• Livestream option for those unable to attend in person.
• Alumni who are parents of graduating seniors may serve as marshals. Please contact Amy Thompson at amythompson@smu.edu.
All-University Commencement
Arrival: Gates open at 6 p.m. Guests should be seated by 6:50 p.m. All guests should plan to enter Ford Stadium through Gate 3 and Gate 5.
Tickets: Required for all guests in Ford Stadium. There is no ticket limit for All-University Commencement, but every guest must have a ticket at entry. Learn more about tickets.
Security: Ford Stadium has a clear bag policy. Please plan to leave bags and personal items at home or in vehicles. Please silence cell phones. Learn more about prohibited items.
Inclement weather: University officials will announce any weather-related changes on the Commencement website and in the SMU Aware app. In case of rain, Commencement may still be held outdoors at Ford Stadium; graduates will receive ponchos, and guests should bring their own rain gear. Should severe weather be expected to clear in the evening, the ceremony may be delayed. If the severe weather plan is implemented, the event will take place at 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Ford Stadium.
All-University Commencement
- RSVP is required. Invitation to follow.
- Faculty should plan to assemble in academic dress no later than 6:30 p.m. in Hall of Champions, located in Loyd All-Sports (security screening required). Please plan to go through security as you enter Loyd All-Sports. Inside staff will check you in and direct you to Hall of Champions.
- A small reception will occur prior to Commencement. Event details to be sent via email upon receiving your RSVP.
- Faculty marshal will line up participants; procession follows immediately after.
- Faculty remain standing until President Jay Hartzell is seated and follow his lead for mortarboard removal.
- At the close of the ceremony, faculty recess after the Platform Party, led by the marshal.
Security: Ford Stadium has a clear bag policy. Please plan to leave bags and personal items at home or in vehicles. Please silence cell phones. Learn more about prohibited items.
Inclement weather: University officials will announce any weather-related changes on the Commencement website and in the SMU Aware app. In case of rain, Commencement may still be held outdoors at Ford Stadium; graduates will receive ponchos, and guests should bring their own rain gear. Should severe weather be expected to clear in the evening, the ceremony may be delayed. If the severe weather plan is implemented, the event will take place at 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Ford Stadium.
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.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
5 p.m.
Oren Auditorium, Hughes-Trigg
Contact: ceremonies@smu.edu
This ceremony is for recipients of the D.Eng., D.L.S., D.Min., D.P.M., Ed.D., and Ph.D degrees.
Graduates will be able to claim up to 4 tickets.
Reception to follow the ceremony hosted by the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.
Friday, May 15, 2026
8 a.m.
Moody Coliseum
Contact: Stev'anne Horton stevanneh@smu.edu
Submit your graduation photos to be featured prior to the ceremony!
11:30 a.m.
Moody Coliseum
Contact: Christine Leatherberry, cleatherberry@smu.edu
3 p.m.
Moody Coliseum
Contacts: Julie Maass, jmaass@smu.edu
Saturday, May 16, 2026
8 a.m.
Moody Coliseum
Contacts: Barbara Thomas Cook, bcthomas@smu.edu and Scot Montague, smontagu@smu.edu
Noon
Moody Coliseum
Contact for graduate students: Jim Dees jdees@smu.edu
Contact for undergraduate students: Misti Compton, mcompton@smu.edu
Noon
McFarlin Auditorium
Contact: Meadows Operations and Events, msaevents@smu.edu
2 p.m.
Highland Park United Methodist Church
Contact: Melissa Gooch, mgooch@smu.edu
3 p.m.
Moody Coliseum
Contact: Barbara Mohrle, bmohrle@smu.edu
3 p.m.
Oren Auditorium, Hughes-Trigg
Contact: Mary Endsley, mendsley@smu.edu
4:30 p.m.
McFarlin Auditorium
All-University Commencement speaker
Eric Dickerson, an SMU legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer, is one of football’s greatest running backs. The two-time All-American led SMU’s famed “Pony Express” and set the NFL single-season rushing record. Today he is an analyst, entrepreneur and philanthropist supporting youth through the Eric Dickerson Foundation.
