Graduation & Commencement (2024)

Spring 2024 Starkville Campus Commencement Information
(Educational Specialists, Masters, & Bachelors)

WATCH THE CEREMONY LIVESTREAM ONLINE HERE
You can also download the new Mississippi State University TV app (MSTV) in the Apple and Google Play App Stores!

The spring 2024 Starkville Campus commencement ceremonies will be held on Thursday, May 9, 2024, and Friday, May 10, 2024, in the Humphrey Coliseum. Graduates must arrive no later than 30 minutes prior to their ceremony start time. Please arrive already dressed in your regalia when you check-in. Graduates and faculty will enter in the rear of the Coliseum close to the SE entrance to Dudy Noble Field. This is also where graduates will exit the Coliseum after walking across the stage.

Please read through these important notes about the ceremonies:

  • Security screening will take place upon entry and all bags are subject to search.
  • Please DO NOT bring personal items into the coliseum. There will not be any storage areas available and anything left in seats will be thrown away.
  • Guest attendance is limited to 8 guests per graduate and all guests must have tickets to enter. Ticket information can be found in the section below.
  • Guest seating will be general admission. Please DO NOT sit in the roped off sections behind the stage.
  • Graduates will be seated after check-in and an entrance processional will not be included in the ceremonies. Graduates will walk across the stage as they are announced and congratulated.
  • Once graduates are recognized by walking across the stage, they will not return to their seats. Instead, they will be guided to the photography area to take a professional photo before exiting the coliseum.
  • Guests are expected to begin leaving the coliseum once their graduate exits the stage. Please do this quietly with respect to other graduates and guests.
  • Each ceremony is expected to last roughly 1.5 hours total.
  • Limited concessions will be available and guests are welcome to bring their own water bottles.
  • Please plan to remove all vehicles from the parking areas following the morning ceremony to make space for guests attending the afternoon ceremony.
  • Any guests who are unable to attend may view a livestream of the ceremonies online (links can be found above/below).
  • All adornments (cords, stoles, pins, etc.) that are worn with graduation regalia come from the individual organizations that the graduates may be involved with. Graduates can reach out to the MSU-affiliated groups that they are part of to see if they offer any graduation adornments. These items must be approved by the Office of the Registrar in order to distribute them to graduates. MSU-affiliated organizations may contact graduation@registrar.msstate.edu for information regarding graduation adornment approvals.

Spring 2024 Ceremony Divisions are as Follows:

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2024

3:30 p.m. (Doors open at 2pm)
ACCESS
College of Business
College of Education

FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2024

9:30 a.m. (Doors open at 8am)
College of Architecture, Art & Design
College of Arts & Sciences
College of Professional & Continuing Studies

3:30 p.m. (Doors open at 2pm)
Academic Affairs
Bagley College of Engineering
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
College of Forest Resources
College of Veterinary Medicine

SPRING 2024 COMMENCEMENT PARKING

Please click the link below to view the Spring 2024 Commencement Parking Map. Please note that the parking garage SE of the Coliseum will be open and free of charge for the ceremonies. If you require any assistance viewing the map, please contact the Registrar's Office.

Spring 2024 Commencement Parking Map

HUMPHREY COLISEUM COMMENCEMENT DIAGRAM

Please click the link below to view the Spring 2024 Commencement Coliseum Diagram. If you require assistance viewing the diagram, please contact the Registrar's Office.

Spring 2024 Commencement Coliseum Diagram

Guest Accommodations: Reserved parking will be available for any guests with an ADA tag or placard on their vehicle (parking map above). Carts will be running through these reserved lots to assist guests from their vehicles to the coliseum sidewalk.Once inside the coliseum, there will be reserved sections for any guests needing to avoid the stairs. These areas are wheelchair accessible and can be found just inside the arena portal entrances around the coliseum concourse. Staff will be available throughout the coliseum to assist guests as needed.

There is no need to make reservations, but we do recommend arriving close to when the doors open to ensure you may sit in your preferred section. Please remember that guest seating is general admission, but we should have plenty of room for everyone in attendance.

Service and Assistance Animals: MSU will fully comply with applicable laws governing service and assistance animals. It is important to understand the distinction between the two types of animals. Service animals are trained to perform a specific action to help a person with a disability. A service animal must be a dog or, under certain circ*mstances, a miniature horse and is permitted to accompany their handler in any area where the handler is permitted to be. Assistance animals, including Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are not trained to perform disability-related tasks, but instead provide comfort or other assistance solely by their presence. Assistance animals are generally not permitted inside university buildings other than on-campus residences.

Additional information relating to service and assistance animals can be found HERE.

**GRADUATES MUST APPLY FOR THEIR DEGREE THROUGH BANNER IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMENCEMENT AND RECEIVE THEIR DIPLOMA. THE DEADLINES TO APPLY CAN BE FOUND ON OUR ACADEMIC CALENDAR HERE. (Diplomas are mailed 4-6 weeks after the ceremonies)**

(Please note that all plans are subject to change.)

Spring 2024 Guest Ticket Information

The guest ticketing system is now active, and each graduate may claim up to 8 tickets for their guests. Graduates may access their tickets until the day of the ceremonies, but please do so sooner to ensure there are no issues. There is no cost for tickets.

All guests must have a ticket to enter the coliseum. Tickets are specific to each ceremony, so please be sure your tickets are for the correct ceremony (day and time). Additional tickets will not be available through MSU.

Please be sure that you are using your MSU student email address containing your Net ID# when accessing your Student DogTag account below. Please also use a computer to access tickets in order to avoid any issues.Personal email addresses WILL NOT allow you to access your tickets.

TICKET INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALREADY ACTIVATED STUDENT ACCOUNTS

If you have purchased football season tickets during your time at MSU, you have previously activated your Student DogTag account so please follow the instructions below:

Steps:
1. In the Student Login box, enter your MSU Student ID# and the password you created upon activation. (If you have forgotten your password, click the “Forgot Password” link and a temporary password will be emailed to you. Follow instructions in email to update password.)- **NOTE: This login is for your student DogTag account, which is separate from your Hail State Rewards account**.
2. Under the header “Graduation Ceremony,” click Find Tickets.
3. Enter the quantity, up to 8, then click Add to Cart
4. Verify the number of tickets you are getting and click Checkout.
5. On the Payment Screen it will have a $0 balance.
6. Click “Place Your Order” (you should then be taken to a confirmation screen).
7. Tickets will be sent to your email address to print/download.

TICKET INSTRUCTIONS FOR NEW OR NON-ACTIVATED ACCOUNTS

If this is your first time using the athletics website, follow the steps below to activate your student DogTag account prior to claiming tickets:

Steps:
1. Click “Register Your Student Account” and enter your Student ID# and click Activate.
2. On the next page enter and confirm a password and update your contact info. Click Next after finished updating.
3. Follow steps 2 through 7 above.

PLEASE READ INSTRUCTIONS ABOVE BEFORE PROCEEDING TO THE TICKET SITE!

Login Here to Claim Guest Tickets

If you have any issues claiming your tickets, please contact the Ticket Office at (662) 325-2600

Regalia Orders (Cap & Gown)

If you are planning to participate in the Spring 2024 commencement ceremonies and have not yet ordered your cap & gown, you must visit Barnes & Noble at MSU starting Tuesday, May 7, 2024 to be fitted from a limited supply of extras. A $20 late fee will be added to all orders placed during this time. Additional regalia information can be found here: www.gradsupply.com/msu Online orders will be available for pickup on Tuesday May 7, 2024, and Wednesday, May 8, 2024, from 8-5 inside Barnes & Noble at MSU.

Additional information about ordering your regalia can be found here: www.gradsupply.com/MSU

- All graduates may keep their entire regalia package!

View our new, custom regalia here: MSU Custom Regalia

FACULTY REGALIA

MSU faculty members may order rental commencement regalia using this link: www.gradsupply.com/msu-faculty

MSU is proud to offer custom regalia to our graduates. All regalia must be purchased through the Graduate Supply House website, or through Barnes & Noble at MSU.

Commencement Photography

Professional photography, Pro Pics, will be available at the commencement ceremonies to take portraits of graduates. Photos of the graduates on-stage with the President, as well as individual portraits, will be available for purchase from Pro Pics following the ceremonies. In order to identify your photos and receive proofs, please visit www.MSUphotos.com to submit your information. There is no cost to have your photo taken and no obligation to purchase.

The MSU Alumni Association has also worked with Pro Pics to offer professional photography at the Bully Statue in The Junction on May 9-10, 2024! Professional photographers will be stationed at the statue for roughly one hour following each of the Starkville Campus ceremonies (weather permitting). Check out an example photoshoot below for more information. There is no need to make an appointment and walk-ups are welcome!

Graduation & Commencement (1)

Questions about these opportunities can be emailed to: info@propicsusa.com

Graduation Products

DIPLOMA FRAMES CLASS RINGS

MSU LICENSE PLATES KYLE CAVAN MSU JEWELRY

ANNOUNCEMENTS (BALFOUR) ANNOUNCEMENTS (HERFF JONES)

Traveling Bulldogs

Still trying to find the perfect graduation trip? The MSU Alumni Association is offering travel opportunities exclusively for young alumni! This experience will enable participants to engage in social, cultural, and recreational activities with fellow Bulldogs and alumni of peer institutions, ages 22 - 35. We have three exciting trips scheduled for 2024 traveling to Europe, Egypt, and Ireland! Visit www.aesu.com/msstate for more information. If you have questions, please contact The Alumni Association at info@alumni.msstate.edu

Livestreams of Ceremonies

If you wish to watch the Starkville Campus Commencement Ceremonies but are unable to attend, you can still watch the live ceremonies online! The following links may be used to access the livestream that will broadcast the live ceremonies:

Mississippi State University Television LIVE

Please also be sure to download the new Mississippi State University TV app in the Apple and Google Play App Stores!

The livestream will also be available on the official Mississippi State University Facebook page (@msstate).

Commencement Videos

Starkville Campus Commencement Ceremonies

Mississippi State University holds multiple main campus commencement ceremonies at the end of the fall and spring semesters. We do not hold ceremonies immediately following the summer semesters. Students who graduate at the end of the summer semesters are invited to attend the December ceremonies.

**NOTE: Students should refer to the Academic Calendar for graduation application deadlines and ceremony dates.

Students who plan to graduate in May, August, or December must apply for graduation by the dates published in the MSU Academic Calendar. If a student fails to graduate in the term for which they have applied, they must reapply during the term in which all degree requirements are met. Degree applicants must also pay their MSU account balances in full, prior to the graduation ceremony.

SPRING 2024

Thursday, May 9, 2024 - 3:30 p.m. (Humphrey Coliseum)
ACCESS
College of Business
College of Education

Friday, May 10, 2024 - 9:30 a.m. (Humphrey Coliseum)
College of Architecture, Art & Design
College of Arts & Sciences
College of Professional & Continuing Studies

Friday, May 10, 2024 - 3:30 p.m. (Humphrey Coliseum)
Academic Affairs
Bagley College of Engineering
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
College of Forest Resources
College of Veterinary Medicine

FALL 2024

Friday, December 13, 2024 - 9:30 a.m. (Humphrey Coliseum)
Academic Affairs
College of Architecture, Art & Design
College of Arts & Sciences
College of Education
College of Professional and Continuing Studies

Friday, December 13, 2024 - 3:30 p.m. (Humphrey Coliseum)
Bagley College of Engineering
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
College of Business
College of Forest Resources
College of Veterinary Medicine

Doctoral Graduation and Hooding Ceremony (Ph.D. & Ed.D.)

The Spring 2024 Doctoral Graduation and Hooding Ceremony for Ph.D. and Ed.D. graduates will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. in the Bettersworth Auditorium in Lee Hall. This event is invitation-only, and is exclusive to Ph.D. and Ed.D. graduates and their guests. Please contact The Graduate School for information regarding this ceremony at (662) 325-7400.

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Commencement Ceremony

The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Commencement will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at 11:30am in the Humphrey Coliseum on our Starkville Campus. An awards ceremony will take place prior to the commencement from 10-11am. Please contact the Vet School for information regarding the DVM Ceremony at (662) 325-1078.

Meridian Campus Commencement Ceremonies

The Mississippi State University Meridian Campus (MSU-Meridian) commencement ceremonies are held at the MSU Riley Center in Meridian, MS. The ceremony times are as follows:

Spring 2024: Thursday, May 9, 2024 @ 11:00 a.m.

Fall 2024: Thursday, December 12, 2024 @ 11:00 a.m.

For additional questions regarding the MSU-Meridian Commencement Ceremonies, please contact Lynda Gist: lgist@meridian.msstate.edu

Degree Audit

Degrees are awarded after the appropriate representatives from the colleges and schools have reviewed the student records and notified the Office of the Registrar that students are cleared to graduate.

Learn More

University Degree Audit (CAPP)

All MSU students have access to the degree audit system CAPP (curriculum, advising, and program planning) in myState.

Learn More

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES, CONTACT:

Nathan Griffey
Commencement Coordinator
Office of the Registrar
Mississippi State University
(662) 325-4729
ngriffey@registrar.msstate.edu

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT GRADUATION & DEGREE AUDIT, CONTACT:

Office of the University Registrar
P.O. Box 5268
Mississippi State, MS 39762-5268
(662) 325-4123 or (662) 325-9407
Office Hours: M-F 8:00-5:00
graduation@registrar.msstate.edu

Graduation & Commencement (2024)

FAQs

Is graduation and commencement the same thing? ›

Graduation is the completion of all degree requirements as recorded on the official transcript. Commencement is the ceremony that celebrates the completion of a degree.

Can you still graduate if you fail a class? ›

Whether or not you can graduate if you fail a class in your senior year depends on your school's graduation requirements and your specific situation. You will likely need to make up for the failed class to meet the required credits for graduation. This could mean taking an extra class or attending summer school.

What is a good sentence for commencement? ›

noun. They awaited the commencement of the trial. A Nobel Prize winner will speak at the commencement.

Do you say graduation commencement? ›

Meanwhile, "commencement" is the official term for the graduation ceremony, where students, family, and faculty celebrate their accomplishments.

Can you still walk if you don't graduate? ›

At many colleges and universities, you can also walk in commencement without officially graduating. In this scenario, you may be permitted to take part in the commencement ceremony with your classmates as long as you'll meet the graduation requirements soon after commencement.

Does commencement mean start or end? ›

A commencement is the act of starting out, or blazing a new trail. The suffix -ment makes the word commencement a noun — a thing, an activity, a start. The word can be used for the beginning of anything, from a business meeting to a vacation trip to a marriage. Anything that begins has a moment of commencement.

What is a simple sentence for graduation? ›

Examples of graduation in a Sentence

He joined the navy after graduation. We had a party to celebrate her graduation from high school. They took lots of pictures at their son's graduation.

What is the purpose of commencement? ›

The purpose of a commencement ceremony is to affirm each student's educational accomplishments. The most effective commencement speeches celebrate their current achievements in the context of their anticipated future goals and experiences.

What is commencement in simple terms? ›

noun. an act or instance of commencing; beginning: the commencement of hostilities. the ceremony of conferring degrees or granting diplomas at the end of the academic year.

What is a synonym for graduation commencement? ›

convocation dawning graduation initiation kickoff onset outset.

What do you say at commencement? ›

Crafting a graduation speech to remember
  • Start with a personal story. Sharing a personal experience can make any speech more relatable and engaging for the audience. ...
  • Keep it concise. ...
  • Use humor wisely. ...
  • Include inspirational quotes. ...
  • Address the audience directly. ...
  • End on a high note. ...
  • Practice, practice, practice.
Feb 26, 2024

What is a short quote for graduation day? ›

Inspirational graduation quotes

You'll be on your way up! You'll be seeing great sights! You'll join the high fliers who soar to high heights.” — Dr. Seuss, “Oh, the Places You'll Go!”

What does commencement mean in high school? ›

Commencement is a ceremony at a university, college, or high school at which students formally receive their degrees or diplomas.

What is the difference between Commence and commencement? ›

If a congressman wants to start a meeting to vote on an important bill, he might say, "This meeting will begin immediately." Or, he could make the same statement in a more formal way by saying, "This meeting will commence immediately." Interestingly enough, while the word commence means to start, a commencement ...

What is also referred to as commencement? ›

A graduation is the awarding of a diploma by an educational institution. It may also refer to the ceremony that is associated with it, which can also be called commencement, congregation, convocation or invocation. The date of the graduation ceremony is often called graduation day.

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