Get Ready for Commencement

Commencement ceremonies are held in Stewart Hall's Ritsche Auditorium. Once published, commencement ceremonies schedule by college is posted on the commencement homepage. Guests resources including parking information for commencement day can be found under Guest Resources.

Use these resources to prepare for your special day.

Get Ready for the Big Day

Spring 2025 Commencement Expo
4-6p.m. Wednesday, March 12
Husky Bookstore in Centennial Hall

Spring 2025 graduates are invited to the commencement expo for all things commencement! Purchase regalia at the Expo or stop by to create a shopping list. Services and departments available during this time include: Student Accessibility Services, Career Center, HuskyTech, Jostens, Graduate Studies, Financial Aid, International Studies, and more.

Regalia may be purchased online through the St. Cloud State Jostens Store and shipped to home addresses prior to the Expo. A ship to home option for Spring 2025 commencement ceremonies is April 2, 2025. The Expo is the official launch of regalia purchases in store. 

After the Expo, regalia can be purchased in the Husky Bookstore during normal business hours until and on commencement ceremony days.

A Graduate's Commencement Day Schedule

  1. Check-in. Check in 45-60 minutes prior to your ceremony time to receive your name card (used to walk across stage) and guest tickets. Give your tickets and all items you do not wish to carry during the ceremony to your guests. 
  2. Line up. Go to the Stewart Hall first floor hallway at least 15 minutes prior to your ceremony time. SCSU staff volunteers will direct graduates how to line up.
  3. Guests. Guests with tickets may take their seats in Ritsche Auditorium. 
    • Guests without tickets may watch from the overflow room. A family room is available for those who need space for small children. Volunteers will provide directions. 
  4. The ceremony. The commencement ceremony will last approximately 60 minutes. All graduates in attendance will have their names read as they walk across stage. Master and doctoral students will be hooded during their ceremony.
  5. Post ceremony. At the conclusion of the ceremony, guests and graduates may connect with one another on Atwood Mall or the Atwood Ballroom for photos and mingling.

Academic Regalia and Honors

Black academic regalia is required to participate in commencement ceremonies. Regalia may be purchased online at the St. Cloud State Jostens Store before the Commencement Expo and shipped to home addresses. The ship to home deadline for Spring 2025 commencement ceremonies is April 2, 2025. Regalia may be purchased in person during after after the Commencement Expo. Jostens is our official provider of regalia, however caps and gowns may be purchased elsewhere. 

The Husky Bookstore has regalia available to purchase during and after the Commencement Expo in person and will continue to sell these items through the day of commencement ceremonies.

Starting point for your regalia checklist:

  • Undergraduate Students
    • Gown (differs by degree level, required)
    • Cap (differs by degree level, required)
    • Optional tassel (red/black)
    • Optional cords and stoles
    • Optional honors cords (colors differs by honor, see below)
  • Graduate Students
    • Gown (differs by degree level, required)
    • Cap (differs by degree level, required)
    • Hoods (differs by degree type detailed below)
    • Optional tassel (colors differ by degree type)
    • Optional cords and stoles

Undergraduate Student Regalia and Honor Cord Colors

Graduate Student Regalia Colors

Guest Resources

Photographs and Diplomas

Privacy

Graduates wishing to have their name omitted from the commencement program and/or not released to media outlets need to contact the Office of Records and Registration at least eight weeks prior to the end of the semester.

Office of Records and Registration
Email: registrar@stcloudstate.edu 
In person: Administrative Services 118
Phone: (320) 308-2111