Ceremony Overview
Commencement is a university-wide celebration for all students. Students will process from the Quad to the Spectrum, led by bagpipes, faculty, and dignitaries. At the ceremony, you will hear from the USU President, as well as our Commencement speaker. The Provost will present candidates for graduation.
College Convocations are planned by each college and have some variance. In each, the students' names are read as they cross the stage and receive their diploma cover. A professional photo will be taken of them as this happens.
Schedules for all graduation ceremonies can be viewed on the schedule tab.
The University Commencement will last approximately 90 minutes. College convocation times vary and range from approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours.
USU provides professional photography during the ceremonies free of charge. Each graduate will get a personal photo taken after receiving their diploma cover. All photos will be available for download within 24-48 hours of the ceremony ending.
Participation and Eligibility
The first step is to complete your graduation application on the Registrar's website. This application allows you to receive your diploma. The deadlines for each semester are:
- Fall 2025 - October 31, 2025
- Spring 2026 - February 28, 2026
- Summer 2026 - July 15, 2026
The second step is to complete your RSVP in ServiceNow. On the RSVP, you will have the opportunity to select all the ceremonies you plan to attend as well as specify how you would like your name read as you walk across the stage.
Yes. All students must complete a graduation application in order to have their degree officially awarded and their diploma issued, regardless of whether they plan to participate in any Commencement or Convocation ceremonies.
Yes. Students who will complete their degree requirements in the summer semester are eligible to participate in the Spring Commencement ceremonies. Be sure to talk with your academic advisor and get their approval before making plans to walk early.
Spouses can absolutely walk together for the University Commencement! If they also want to participate in a college convocation together, they will need to talk to the college graduation representative(s) for the college(s) involved. A list of college reps can be found below:
- S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences - jen.snyder@usu.edu; lisa.hunsaker@usu.edu
- College of Arts and Sciences – susie.parkinson@usu.edu
- Jon M. Huntsman School of Business - morgan.kuethe@usu.edu
- Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services - lisa.christensen@usu.edu
- College of Engineering - angie.peterson@usu.edu
- College of Veterinary Medicine - paula.reese@usu.edu
- Integrated Studies Bachelor's Degrees and Associate's Degrees - ruth.jensen@usu.edu
Yes. Statewide students are welcome to participate in the Logan Commencement and College Convocation ceremonies in addition to their local campus celebrations.
Graduation Announcements, Regalia and Adornments
Candidates for degrees should wear the black gown and cap with a tassel that is a color distinctive of the degree being received.
- S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources: Maize
- College of Arts and Sciences: White
- Jon M. Huntsman School of Business: Drab
- Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services: Light Blue
- College of Engineering: Orange
- College of Veterinary Medicine: Gray
- Bachelor of Integrated Studies and Associate of General Studies: Black
- Doctoral Degrees: Old Gold
Associate's, Bachelor's and Master's candidates should wear the mortarboard cap, while Doctoral students should wear the tam cap.
Students may also qualify to wear stoles, cords or medallions offered by professional organizations or academic societies in their field-of-study. Students should contact these organizations directly to inquire about obtaining adornment.
Graduates can purchase their caps and gowns at the Grad Fair at the Campus Store on March 16 and 17. If you can't make it to Grad Fair, online ordering opens on the campus store's website on March 18.
If you are a statewide student, please note that many Statewide Campuses provide regalia rentals for the ceremonies. If you plan to attend at USU Eastern or USU Blanding, you must purchase your own regalia through the campus store or online. Contact your statewide campus coordinator for more information.
- USU Southwest – kayleen.evans@usu.edu
- USU Tooele – tiffany.allen@usu.edu
- USU Brigham City/Kaysville - misti.nielsen@usu.edu
- USU Moab – samantha.campbell@usu.edu
- USU Blanding – priscilla.arungwa@usu.edu
- USU Eastern – erin.rowley@usu.edu
- USU Uintah Basin – molly.ellender@usu.edu
The Grad Fair will be held on March 16 and 17 at the USU Campus Store on the Logan campus. Starting March 18th, regalia will be available to purchase online from the USU Campus Store.
View the list of approved university-issued adornments.
You are also welcome to wear personal adornments, such as leis or other items of cultural significance, as long as they are respectful and appropriate for the occasion.
Honor cords are available for pickup at the Grad Fair on March 16 and 17. After that, cords can be picked up from the Registrar's Office in the Taggart Student Center. The Registrar's Office will verify your honors status upon pickup.
Honor cords for students at statewide campuses will be mailed to the campus student services director and distributed prior to the campus' graduation ceremony.
Undergraduate Students: Wear your tassel on the right side of the cap before the ceremony begins. During the Commencement ceremony, the university president will instruct you to move your tassels to the left side to signify the conferring of their degrees.
Graduate Students: Master's and doctoral students wear their tassels on the left side throughout the ceremony and do not move them.
Yes! Graduates are welcome to decorate their caps as a way to celebrate their achievements and express themselves. Decorations should be respectful, appropriate for the occasion, and should not obstruct the view of others or include any offensive content.
Yes! Graduates are welcome to wear leis or other personal adornments to celebrate their achievements. Please be sure any items are respectful and appropriate for the occasion.
Graduates can order their official Utah State graduation announcements through Jostens at the Grad Fair at the Campus Store on March 16 and 17. Announcements can also be ordered on the Campus Store website beginning March 18.
Day-Of Information: Graduates
Graduates should assemble on the University Quad at 5:45 p.m. to prepare for the Academic Procession to the Spectrum.
Graduates should arrive wearing their cap, gown, and any approved adornments. Comfortable shoes are recommended, as you'll be walking up to ½ a mile during the procession and standing for extended periods. Personal belongings should be kept to a minimum, as there is no secure storage available during the ceremony.
Tickets are not required for graduates or guests of any of the graduation ceremonies. However, graduates are strongly recommended to RSVP to help with proper planning and to ensure that we have a seat for you and your guests.
There is no secure storage available for personal items during the ceremony. Graduates are encouraged to leave purses, backpacks, and other belongings with family or friends before assembling for the procession.
We encourage all graduates to participate in the Academic Procession. If you are unable to do so, you may wait in the south parking lot of the arena and join in line with your college when the procession arrives before entering the Spectrum.
If you need special accommodations due to a disability, please contact the Disability Resource Center at 435-797-2444 or via email at drc@usu.edu.
In the event of inclement weather, graduates will receive an Aggie Alert with instructions to line up for the Academic Procession in the Aggie Recreation Center (ARC). From there, students will process into the Spectrum and the ceremony will continue as planned.
Family members are welcome to take photos from their seats during the ceremonies. Professional photographers will also be onsite capturing candid moments and taking portraits of each graduate with their diploma cover. Individual headshots will be available to download at no cost approximately one week after each event.
Day-Of Information: Family and Guests
Tickets are not required for any of the graduation ceremonies.
The Spectrum doors will open at approximately 4:45 p.m.
Yes, a clear bag policy will be in effect for all Commencement events.
- Only clear bags made of plastic, vinyl, or PVC will be permitted.
- Bags must not exceed 12 inches x 12 inches x 6 inches.
- Small clutch bags, approximately 4.5" by 6.5", with or without a handle or strap, can be taken into the venue with one of the clear plastic bags.
- Diaper bags and medical bags are permitted and are subject to screening. After a search, permitted bags will be tagged and will be rechecked at each entry.
- Exceptions will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at designated gates.
- All other exceptions to this policy will be approved on a case-by-case basis after consultation with the Venue Manager and Public Safety Officer running the venue command, or by the Guest Services Representative in charge if an onsite command is not open.
You are permitted to bring flowers and gifts for your graduate, but please note that balloons and signs are not allowed in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum or Newel & Jean Daines Concert Hall.
Yes! Family and friends are welcome to cheer along the route. The 30-minute procession is also broadcast live inside the Spectrum.
The procession will begin on the Quad, first heading east toward the Agricultural Sciences Building, then turning north and heading straight down the sidewalk toward the Spectrum. A downloadable map of the route is available on our website.
Free parking is available throughout campus to all students and their guests during Commencement. Downloadable parking maps are available for the Spectrum and Newel and Jean Daines Concert Hall.
ASL Interpreters are available to be present upon request. Please contact the Disability Resource Center at 435-797-2444 or via email at drc@usu.edu.
ADA accommodations can be made at both the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum and the Daines Concert Hall. To make arrangements, please contact the Disability Resource Center at 435-797-2444 or via email at drc@usu.edu.
Yes. Accessible parking is available in the lots east of Legacy Field. Please view the Spectrum parking map for more details. Parking shuttles will also be running to transport guests from the Maverik Stadium and Spectrum tiered lots to the Spectrum.
In the event of inclement weather, graduates will receive an Aggie Alert with instructions to line up for the Academic Procession in the Aggie Recreation Center (ARC). From there, students will process into the Spectrum and the ceremony will continue as planned.
Family members are welcome to take photos from their seats during the ceremonies. Professional photographers will also be onsite capturing candid moments and taking portraits of each graduate with their diploma cover. Individual headshots will be available to download at no cost approximately one week after each event.
Diplomas
Graduates who participate in live Commencement events will receive a diploma cover. Graduates will receive their diplomas in the mail approximately three weeks after the end of the semester when grades have been verified and degrees conferred. These will be mailed to the address provided on the graduation application. All 2025-26 graduates should make sure that both their preferred address and their diploma address in Banner are correct. Students can update the address in Banner and then should inform the Registrar's Office via email at registrar@usu.edu.
To change the name on your diploma, please reach out to the Registrar's Office via email at registrar@usu.edu.