Commencement Central | UNCG Commencement

Commencement Central | UNCG Commencement
Commencement Central
Congratulations Class of 2026!
UNCG Doctoral and Master’s Commencement Ceremony | May 7, 2026 | First Horizon Coliseum
UNCG University Commencement Ceremony | May 8, 2026 | First Horizon Coliseum
University Commencement
Doctoral and Master’s Commencement Ceremony
School & Department Celebrations
Quick Links for Commencement Central
Student Check List
On Commencement Day
Parking
Guest Information
Faculty Information
Accessibility Information
Ceremony Livestream
Policies and Protocols
FAQ
#UNCGGRAD
To Do List for Graduating Seniors
Apply to graduate
for Spring 2026 graduation. The undergraduate application closes on March 1, 2026. Your name will not appear in the commencement program if you apply to graduate after the deadline. If you have not already done so, apply to graduate at
for undergraduate students.
RSVP!
Inform the university whether or not you plan to attend the commencement ceremony at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 8th at the First Horizon Coliseum. All Undergraduate students who plan to participate in the ceremony
MUST RSVP
through Tassel
by April 3rd. Emails will be sent to your UNCG inbox prompting you to RSVP for the event beginning in Februaryto those that applied to graduate in Spring 2026. Please note, our RSVP process is done through Tassel and
the email will come from commence@uncg.edu.
Students who fail to submit their RSVP by the deadline will sit at the back of their school or college lineup at the ceremony. For full RSVP instructions, please review the video below.
Purchase Regalia
Regalia purchases may be made online or at the Bookstore, located in the Elliot University Center. Students who are eligible to graduate with honors according to the
guidelines
in the
Undergraduate Catalog
may pick up honors cords in the bookstore around the middle of April. The bookstore will have a list of students eligible for honors cords. The honors designation is tentative until final grades are recorded. If you have questions regarding regalia, contact the bookstore at 336-334-5563.
Pay the graduation fee
. For undergraduate students, the fee is $100.00. All fees must be paid to the Cashiers and Student Accounts Office.
Undergraduate Students
Apply for Graduation
RSVP for the Ceremony- An email will be sent to your UNCG account from commence@uncg.edu!
Doctoral and Master’s Students
Doctoral and Master’s Commencement Ceremony Information
Faculty
RSVP for the University Commencement Ceremony Faculty Processional
no later than 5/1/26
Friends and Family
Friends and Family Letter
First Horizon Coliseum
Commencement Updates
The First Horizon Coliseum has implemented a
new bag policy
and a cashless policy. All guests of the First Horizon Coliseum must adhere to this policy.
There are currently no social distancing requirements at the Coliseum. Seating in the Coliseum is open and no tickets are required.
We will follow University and UNC System COVID-19 protocols that are in place at the time of the ceremony. Closer to the date, please visit the
Spartan Safe website
for the current protocols.
What to Do and Expect Commencement Morning
The UNCG commencement ceremony is a formal, traditional, academic exercise. The ceremony will begin with a processional, followed by greetings and speeches from academic dignitaries, the conferring of degrees, recognition of graduates as names are called, tassel turning ceremony, singing of the Alma Mater, the ringing of the University Bell, and the recessional. The UNCG School of Music will provide music. The ceremony is expected to last about 3 hours.
Participating Students:
Arrive at the Special Events Center no later than 9:00 a.m. for check-in (expect heavy traffic).
Click here
for a map of your assembly area and entrance. Doors will open for check-in at 8:30 a.m., and there will be traffic, so please plan to arrive early.
There is NO rehearsal.
No guest tickets are required at the First Horizon Coliseum.
No parking passes are required at the First Horizon Coliseum. If you arrive after 9:30 a.m., you may not be able to park at the First Horizon Coliseum and should plan to park at UNCG in the Walker Avenue Deck and take the
complimentary shuttle on Stirling Street
. Parking in the Walker Avenue Deck is complimentary on the day of Commencement.
Shuttle service from the UNCG Walker Avenue Parking Deck will start at 7:00 a.m., and will have shuttles every 30 minutes until an hour after the ceremony concludes. The shuttle will pick up on
Stirling Street at the indicated position
All students will be required to go through a metal detector before entering the lineup area.
Please take note of the updated Coliseum Complex bag policy
and full list of prohibited items on the
Greensboro Complex website
Large golf or non-telescopic umbrellas are prohibited from entering the Coliseum Complex.
Commencement programs will be provided in a digital, print-ready format and distributed as a PDF on the Commencement Website. Names of the Spring 2026 graduation candidates will be included in the program.
All student names will be called, and students will walk across the stage to be recognized.
Undergraduate students: Wear your tassel to the right side of your cap. During the tassel turning ceremony, undergraduates will turn their tassels from the right side to the left to indicate receipt of the Baccalaureate.
The ceremony begins promptly at 10:00 a.m.
Tips for an Enjoyable Commencement Experience
Eat breakfast! The ceremony will last approximately 3 hours.
Please note: It is recommended to wear shoes that you feel comfortable in for standing on a concrete floor and walking across the stage.
If you, a friend, or family member has a need for ASL interpretation, we ask that you submit requests for accommodations in your RSVP form for yourself, and to email commence@uncg.edu for your guests. All requests will be reviewed by event organizers, and reasonable accommodations will be made. The requester will be notified of approved accommodations. Please contact
commence@uncg.edu
if you have questions or concerns.
Please note that participation in the ceremony does not presume graduation from the university. Degrees are conferred only after all academic requirements are met and the Board of  Trustees has taken official action. We congratulate you on your accomplishments and look forward to seeing you at the ceremony. Please contact
commence@uncg.edu
if you have questions about the commencement ceremony.
Bell Ringing Ceremony
At the end of the Commencement Ceremony, the University Bell will ring in honor of the Graduates. The University Bell sounded the opening of the State Normal and Industrial School (now UNCG) on October 5, 1892. For forty years—until electric bells were installed—it marked significant moments of the day. The University Bell hung from a belfry in the Anniversary Plaza from 1967 until 1987 when it was removed for the purpose of restoration. The Class of 1940, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of its graduation, commissioned the restoration of the University Bell.
Faculty Marshal & Mace
The Mace is a ceremonial insignia of the University in a tradition that dates back to antiquity. Hand-chased in sterling silver, it bears academic motifs depicting the history of the institution and is carried by the Faculty Marshal on official occasions. The Mace of The University of North Carolina at Greensboro was presented by the Class of 1926 to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of its graduation and the bicentennial of the nation. It was first carried at commencement in 1978.
How to Wear your Tassel
Traditionally tassels are worn
on the right side
and moved to the left during a special portion of the ceremony for high school graduates. For college graduates, Bachelor degree students wear tassels on right side until their degrees are conferred, then move to left. Graduate students wear on left from the beginning.
Parking is free and no passes are required for students or guests. Please carpool, as there will be traffic and all guests and graduates can enter at 8:30 a.m.
Expect heavy traffic on the day of Commencement.
ADA drop off points are indicated on the Coliseum parking map
here
Shuttle Service
As a service to the campus community, Park & Ride buses will transport volunteers, students, staff, and faculty between campus and the Coliseum on commencement day.
Buses will depart campus every 30 minutes beginning at 7 a.m. with the final shuttle returning to campus at 1:30 p.m.
Passengers may board the bus on
Stirling St.
in front of the Elliot University Center.
Faculty – If you plan to participate in the ceremony processional, as you board the bus, please indicate that you will need to be dropped off in the faculty lineup location.
Maps
Maps for parking and assembly have been emailed to students, faculty, and staff and will be resent the day of commencement.
Click the image to the right to view a full parking map for guests and students.
Commencement is both a joyful as well as dignified event. We ask that you express your excitement in ways that will not prevent others from hearing the speakers and enjoying the ceremony. Any distracting noisemakers, such as air horns, are prohibited and will be confiscated by Coliseum security.
Guests will be required to enter the Coliseum through a metal detector.
Click here
to view a full list of prohibited items and the updated Coliseum bag policy.
We will follow University and UNC System COVID-19 protocols that are in place at the time of the ceremony. Closer to the date, please visit the
SpartanSafe.uncg.edu
website for the current protocols.
Alcohol is not permitted in the Coliseum during commencement. Security officers will be present to seize any alcohol and to prohibit from marching any who may have already consumed alcohol.
Security and emergency medical personnel will be available to provide a safe environment for all commencement participants and guests.
All electronic devices should be turned off to help ensure that all guests can hear and enjoy the ceremony.
Tickets and parking passes are not required for guests attending the event on Friday, May 8th.
The Commencement Ceremony will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. and is expected to last approximately 3 hours.
Click here
for a link to the guest parking map and ADA drop off locations.
Be sure to come back to Commencement Central on May 8th at 10:00 a.m. to watch the Commencement livestream. Following the ceremony, the video will be available on the
UNCG Commencement YouTube page
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For more detailed information about the ceremony, please see the
Friends and Family Letter
HOTEL INFORMATION
Greensboro – High Point Marriott Airport
: $145 plus tax when using code U7N in the Corp/Promo section. Rate includes Airport transportation, Hotel Parking, and WiFi
Drury Inn & Suites Greensboro
: $116 plus tax for select rooms when using corporate code 307710.
Restricted Mobility
The First Horizon Coliseum is equipped with seating to accommodate guests in wheelchairs on a first-come, first-served basis. There is limited accessible seating within designated areas, and we ask that only one supporter sit with an ADA guest. When guests arrive at the Coliseum, they should proceed to one of the following restricted mobility seating area sections: 106, 112, 116, 118, 124, or 128 (
see map
). Guests with restricted mobility should enter the Coliseum from the ground floor of the East Wing of the Special Events Center (
see map
). ADA drop-off locations are located in front of the ACC Hall of Champions and in front of the Special Events Center (
see map
). The elevator will be clearly marked. Contact the Guest Services Manager of the First Horizon Coliseum, 336.373.7461, for more information.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Reserved seating for guests who read American Sign Language will be available in section 127; e-mail
commence@uncg.edu
to reserve seats in this section.
The Coliseum offers
Assistive Listening Devices
—for those who are hard of hearing but do not read sign language—which work in any area of the Arena. Upon arrival, go to the Guest Services booth on the Concourse at Section 103 to secure an ALD. Guests should be prepared to leave a North Carolina Driver’s License or other form of ID, which will be returned when the device is returned.
For more information about the Greensboro Complex and the ADA standards in place, please visit their
website here
or contact
commence@uncg.edu
Be sure to come back to Commencement Central on May 8th at 10:00 a.m. to watch the Commencement livestream. Following the ceremony, the video will be available on the
UNCG Commencement YouTube page
The RSVP link to attend the University Commencement will go live in February.
Faculty Invitation Letter will be updated by February.
Parking Information
If you plan to participate in the ceremony processional and ride the shuttle to the Coliseum, as you board the bus, please indicate that you will need to be dropped off in the faculty lineup location.
Commencement Regalia Protocols
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro has core values of Honesty, Fairness, Trust, Respect, and Responsibility. In keeping with our values of Respect and Responsibility, all graduating students are to respect the dignified nature of the ceremony. Formal academic regalia is required for all degree candidates participating in the University of North Carolina at Greensboro commencement ceremonies. It is the responsibility of the degree candidate to secure academic regalia prior to the ceremony from the
University Bookstore
and to bring it to the ceremony. Only adornments provided and/or approved by the university, such as stoles and cords, are allowed.
Candidates for degrees must wear robes appropriate to their degree.
Graduate candidates for master’s or doctoral degrees wear the appropriate hoods around their necks and down their backs.
Undergraduate degree candidates who will graduate with Commencement Honors wear colored stoles and tassels provided by the university. Only one tassel is worn during the commencement ceremony.
Cords or stoles representing registered student organizations, University recognized honor societies, students with an international affiliation, members of recognized social fraternities and sororities, military and veteran students, and members of athletic teams are allowed. Please refer to the Accessory Policy in the tab below.
Undergraduate degree candidates place tassels on the right side of the mortarboard until their degrees are conferred at the commencement ceremonies. The tassels are switched to the left side as a part of the ceremony and are worn on that side any time thereafter.
Mortarboards may be decorated on the top only and must be non-distracting to the ceremony and other graduates.
No modifications may be made to the regalia gown.
Accessories Policy
The Commencement Committee of The University of North Carolina at Greensboro supports the wearing of medals, medallions, stoles, and honor cords at commencement ceremonies by students representing recognized academic honors, honors programs, and honor societies; students with an international affiliation; members of UNCG-recognized Greek letter societies; NCAA-affiliated student athletes; military and veteran students; and students with service recognized by the Office of Leadership and Service-Learning. Sashes will be worn by non-graduating University Marshals assisting with the commencement ceremony. Some academic honor societies order through their chapters; otherwise, academic regalia and accessories should be ordered through the
University Bookstore
Accessories Guidelines:
Gold cords are reserved for graduation honors (assessed by the University Registrar’s Office).
Other cord colors are available for other honorary societies.
Sashes and stoles are designated for international students, athletes, service and service/academic organizations, Greek organizations, etc.
If your planned use of an accessory falls outside of the guidelines above, contact your organization’s advisor or sponsor who should submit a request/justification
here.
The deadline to request a new accessory for the May ceremony is April 1.
Commencement Participation Policy for Undergraduates
Students completing all degree requirements by the end of the spring semester are encouraged to participate in the May Commencement. Students completing degree requirements by the end of the fall semester are encouraged to participate in the December Commencement. Students completing degree requirements by the end of the Summer Session may participate in either the May or December commencement ceremony by applying to graduate, paying the graduation fee, and notifying the University Registrar’s Office. Please note: degree candidates will not earn degrees nor be graduated from the University until they have completed all degree requirements. The names of August graduates appear only in the December commencement program.
Participation in a commencement ceremony does not presume graduation from the University. Students who do not apply for graduation before the published deadline for any semester must apply for graduation during the next semester. Students who have applied for graduation but fail to meet the requirements must reapply for graduation by the published deadline for the semester in which they will fulfill the requirements. Degrees are conferred only after all requirements are completed and the Board of Trustees has taken official action.
Academic Requirements and Honors
Honors Information for Undergraduates
Academic Requirements
Please contact the Registrar’s Office directly for questions about academic requirements and honors.
FAQs
Diplomas are mailed out approximately 12 weeks after the commencement ceremony. Please contact the University Registrar’s Office for questions and information.
Contact the Cashiers and Student Accounts Office at 336.334.5831 or
cashier@uncg.edu
Contact the University Registrar’s Office to change your name in our system. Be sure to also enter your preferred name in your commencement RSVP to ensure your name is called correctly at the ceremony.
No, tickets are not required for students or guests.
Yes, students that attend the commencement ceremony will have their name called.
The Grad Team
is pleased to provide this complimentary service for each graduate during the commencement ceremony. Please do not contact the school with inquiries related to photographic service. For information about commencement photographs, go to
The Grad Team UNCG webpage
Please submit
this form
if you have guest in need of a visa invitation letter for Spring 2026 ceremonies. Some countries have longer wait times for family members to receive appointments for visas, so please contact commence@uncg.edu if you have additional questions.
There is not a Summer University Commencement ceremony. Summer graduates may choose to participate in Spring or Fall. If you choose to participate in the Spring semester, please contact
commence@uncg.edu
to be added to the communications list. The names of the August degree candidates/graduates appear only in the December commencement program.
Show Your Appreciation
Philanthropy Cords
Start your new chapter as a UNCG alumna or alumnus by making a small gift in honor of your accomplishment — one that will help other students like you finish their studies and earn their degree.
Graduating students who make a gift of at least their class year (for example, $20.26) during the academic year will be eligible to wear a special cord during Commencement to recognize your dedication and commitment to UNCG. Learn more at
go.uncg.edu/philanthropycords
Reminder from the Office of Sustainability
Congratulations, Spartans! When you celebrate your achievements this year and take pictures with your friends and family so you can cherish this moment forever, remember
glitter is litter
(#GlitterIsLitter) and will remain in the environment forever, too. Please help keep our
beautiful award-winning campus
clean. Instead of using glitter, confetti, streamers, or balloons in your pictures, we recommend using bubbles or the filters on your phone.
Learn more about UNCG’s zero-waste efforts.
School/Department Ceremonies
The following is not a comprehensive schedule of all Spring 2026 school and department ceremonies taking place. Students with questions regarding their school or department ceremony should contact their respective academic department for more information.
Schools or departments that would like their ceremony information to be provided below can contact commence@uncg.edu for assistance.
Ceremony
Date
Start Time
Location
Contact
AADS Graduation Ceremony
May 6, 2026
4:00 PM
Graham Building
, Room 106
Meggan Reagan,
mlreaga2@uncg.edu
AMSA Department Graduation Reception
May 7, 2026
7:00 PM
Moore Humanities and Research Administration Building (MHRA)
, 1st floor rotunda
Shannon Byers,
slbyers@uncg.edu
Anthropology Department Recognition Ceremony
May 8, 2026
3:00 PM
EUC, Claxton
Kimberly Mozingo,
kdmozing@uncg.edu
Biology Departmental Celebration of Graduation
May 8, 2026
6:00 PM
UNCG Auditorium
(408 Tate Street, Greensboro, NC)
Robin Maxwell,
robin_maxwell@uncg.edu
College of Arts and Sciences International & Global Studies Celebration
May 8, 2026
2:00 PM
EUC, Alexander
Yvonne Matlosz,
ylmatlos@uncg.edu
Communication Studies Graduation Ceremony
May 7, 2026
6:00 PM
EUC, Auditorium
Jenni Simon
jmsimon@uncg.edu
Computer Science Department Graduation
May 8, 2026
2:30 PM
Petty Building
Rebecca Deel,
rldeel@uncg.edu
Department of Kinesiology Bachelor’s and Master’s Graduation Celebration
May 7, 2026
3:00 PM
Coleman Building, Bodford Arena
Aaron Terranova,
abterran@uncg.edu
ELC Graduation Celebration
May 7, 2026
12:00 PM (directly after the ceremony)
Special Event Center
, Room 3 (directly in front of Hall A)
Nor Othman,
NAOTHMAN@uncg.edu
Geography, Environment, & Sustainability Departmental Graduation
May 6, 2026
4:30 PM
Graham Building
, Room 109
Meggan Reagan,
mlreaga2@uncg.edu
Graduation Ceremony and Reception with the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
May 8, 2026
3:00 PM
Sullivan Building
, Room 101
T_PORCHE@uncg.edu
Graduation Ceremony of the Media Studies Department
May 8, 2026
3:00 PM
Curry Building
, Auditorium
Gwen Young,
SGYOUNG@uncg.edu
History Department Recognition Ceremony
May 7, 2026
5:00 PM
UNCG Auditorium
Dawn Avolio,
kdsallie@uncg.edu
IARc Department Recognition Ceremony
May 8, 2026
4:00 PM
TBD
iarc@uncg.edu
LLC Awards and Diploma Ceremony
May 8, 2026
3:00 PM
EUC, Auditorium
Danielle Parmesano,
dlfiore@uncg.edu
Lloyd International Honors College Graduation Ceremony
May 6, 2026
5:00 PM
EUC, Auditorium
honorscollege@uncg.edu
Mathematics & Statistics Department Graduation Celebration
May 8, 2026
1:30 PM
Sullivan Building
, Room 201
Denise Greenwell,
dlgreenw@uncg.edu
Media Studies Graduate Celebration
May 8, 2026
3:00 PM
Curry Building
, Room 225 (Auditorium)
Gwen Young,
sgyoung@uncg.edu
Philosophy Department Graduation & Excellence Day Ceremony
May 8, 2026
3:00 PM
Curry Building
, Room 241
Susanne Simons,
sdsimons@uncg.edu
Psychology Department Graduation Reception
May 8, 2026
3:00 PM
EUC, Cone Ballroom
Malcolm Moon,
a_mohan@uncg.edu
School of Art Graduate Recognition Ceremony
May 8, 2026
2:00 PM
School of Music Building
, Tew Recital Hall
School of Dance Graduation Ceremony
May 8, 2026
4:00 PM
Coleman Building
, Room 306 Theater
Savannah Jenkins,
SMJENKI3@uncg.edu
School of Music Degree Recognition Ceremony
May 8, 2026
3:00 PM
First Baptist Church of Greensboro,
1000 W Friendly Ave, Greensboro, NC 27401
Brad McMillan,
BAMCMIL2@uncg.edu
School of Nursing Graduation Ceremony
May 7, 2026
3:00 PM
Novant Fieldhouse
, Greensboro Complex
nursing@uncg.edu
School of Theatre Graduation Ceremony
May 8, 2026
3:00 PM
UNCG Auditorium
(408 Tate Street, Greensboro, NC)
Brandon Hicks,
bwhicks@uncg.edu
Sociology, Criminology and Justice Studies Department Graduation Ceremony
May 7, 2026
6:00 PM
EUC, Cone Ballroom A
Kimberly Mozingo,
kdmozing@uncg.edu
The Department of English Spring Recognition Ceremony
May 7, 2026
2:00 PM
UNCG Auditorium
(408 Tate Street, Greensboro, NC)
english@uncg.edu
WGSS Program Graduation Ceremony
May 8, 2026
3:00 PM
School of Music Building
, Organ Hall
wgs@uncg.edu