2024 Commencement Ceremony Details

Commencement ceremony ticket distribution will begin on Friday, March 15 at 9 a.m. The deadline to claim guest tickets is Friday, May 3. Detailed instructions on how to claim tickets will be emailed to each eligible participant, as well as posted on the Ceremony Tickets webpage.

Graduates are asked to arrive in regalia at The Sanborn Activity Center located at 815 S. Alabama Avenue one hour prior to their ceremony.

In preparation for the processional, graduates will be placed in alphabetical order by the degree they are receiving. All personal belongings must accompany graduates to the ceremony, so it is suggested to limit the number of items.

Faculty play an important role in the success of each commencement ceremony. It permits the community to recognize those who have contributed so greatly to the academic development and achievements of our graduates. All faculty are invited and encouraged to participate. 

Participating faculty are asked to arrive in regalia at the Sanborn Activity Center located at 815 S. Alabama Avenue one hour prior to the start of the ceremony they are participating in. Faculty-assigned parking is located in the Department of Transportation parking garage, across the street from the Sanborn Activity Center (space is limited). Carpooling is recommended.

Faculty and graduates will line up outside The Sanborn Activity Center to begin their procession twenty minutes prior to the start of each ceremony. The procession will walk down Alabama Avenue to Spec Martin Memorial Stadium where the platform party will join them. *Please note that access to the home side bleachers will be blocked from the South gate for 10-15 minutes to allow for procession access on the field.

As the procession enters Spec Martin Memorial Stadium, both faculty and graduates will be split into two lines for seating on the left or right side of the field. Graduates will be announced on stage in alphabetical order for the degree they are receiving.

The ceremony will be closed captioned and shown on the large screen adjacent to the stage. The Spec Martin Memorial Stadium is accessible to all guests with seating available on both the ground level and in the permanent bleachers. Accessible access for those unable to navigate stairs is through the South Gate on E. Hubbard Avenue.

Stetson University does not have the capacity to provide personal assistive devices such as wheelchairs or electric scooters to attendees; this is the responsibility of each individual/family. There are several local businesses in the surrounding area that offer wheelchairs, electric scooters and other assistive device rentals. Stetson University does not endorse any of these businesses.

Graduates and Faculty

If you foresee barriers or challenges regarding your participation in the Commencement ceremonies, please contact the Office of University Events ([email protected]) for assistance.

Friends and Family

Guests with disabilities or health concerns who will require tented seating on the grass surface behind the graduates will need to make a reservation (space is limited). Guests in this area will be allowed one companion. All guests and companions must provide a confirmed ticket number to request accommodation seating and attend the in-person event. Accessible access to the stadium is through the south gate located on E. Hubbard Ave.

Requests may be submitted via the Accessible Seating Request Form. Requests will be accepted on a first come, first served basis, and capacity may be reached prior to the deadline of Friday, May 3, 2024. Please note that should the tented seating reach capacity, Spec Martin Memorial Stadium is still accessible to all guests with seating available on both the ground level and in the permanent bleachers.

For additional questions or concerns, please contact the Office of University Events ([email protected]) for assistance.

There are multiple parking lots located around the stadium which can be used for Commencement parking. Parking is on a first-come, first-served basis; parking in undesignated lots will be at your own risk.

Parking for persons with disabilities is available in Lot 5 on the corner of Hubbard and Alabama Avenues. Cars parked in this area are required to display a disabled parking permit.

Please review the Commencement Parking Map for more information.