Graduation

Commencement 2026!

The Commencement 2026 Ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at the Crown Coliseum Complex located at 1960 Coliseum Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28306.

We ask students to identify someone important to them to serve as a “sponsor” at the ceremony who will place their graduation hood as they walk across the stage (see hood placement instructional video below).

Commencement Rehearsal

Rehearsal for the commencement ceremony will be held at The Crown on Friday, April 24, 2026 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Participants should plan to arrive at 1:30 to ensure graduate and sponsor information is accurate and assigned seating is secured. Sponsors should attend the rehearsal with graduates. Rehearsal will begin promptly at 2:30 pm.

Participation Form

All students planning to participate in commencement must complete this form to indicate whether they plan to “walk” in the ceremony. Students will also indicate their choice of sponsor on this form.

Even if you are not planning to participate, you are still required to complete the form to indicate non-participation.

Students who have not yet submitted their Intent to Graduate Form should consult with their academic and career advisor for guidance.

Commencement Participation forms are due Sunday, March 1. Additionally, any changes that need to be made to the information submitted for your attendance at the ceremony must also be made no later than March 25 and are to be emailed to [email protected].

Caps & Gowns

Graduates must wear a cap and gown to cross the stage. Graduates and sponsors may not wear jeans, tennis shoes, or hats (other than graduation cap). Recommended dress is business casual or professional dress.

Details for ordering your cap and gown are as follows:

• Website for ordering
• Deadline for ordering: February 27, 2026

• There is no charge to you for your regalia because it is included as part of your commencement fee.

• Caps and gowns for undergraduate students are green. Caps and gowns for graduate students are black.
• Unless otherwise noted, cap and gowns are shipped to the campus bookstore, and pickup will be at Grad Fest on Friday, April 10 at 11 a.m. More information about Grad Fest is below. There is no shipping cost if shipped to the campus bookstore.
• If you want your regalia shipped to your home the shipping cost is $19.95, and regalia will take five weeks from the day of order to ship to home.
• If you are unable to pick up your regalia at the scheduled date/time, you may go to the bookstore during business hours after this date.
• Please note: Because commencement occurs before degrees are officially conferred, Latin honors are not recognized at the ceremony, and honor cords are not distributed.
• If you miss your cap and gown ordering deadline, please note that the bookstore may not be able to accommodate your hood needs. Your hood may be the color of your degree, not your major.
• Cap and gown questions are to be directed to our campus bookstore at [email protected].

Communication

All communication regarding Commencement 2026 and events leading up to the ceremony will come from [email protected]. Questions regarding the ceremony should be directed to this email address only.

Commencement vs. Graduation

A commencement ceremony honors students who have graduated or will soon graduate. It is a time to celebrate the students’ achievements, and for the university to recognize their efforts. However, commencement is a separate process from completion of degree requirements and degree conferral (graduation). Participation in the ceremony does not automatically mean a student has graduated. The university confers degrees three times a year (May, August, December) on the date closest to a student completion of all degree/program requirements. Please see the academic catalog [link] for additional degree conferral information.

Diplomas

Diplomas will be mailed within a few weeks of the conferral date.

Tickets & Livestream

Tickets are not required for guests and there is no limit on the number of guests who can attend. The ceremony will be livestreamed on the homepage of the Methodist University web site under “What’s Happening at Methodist.” The broadcast will begin approximately 10 minutes prior to the event’s start.

Event Parking

Visit the Commencement 2026 Parking Map for details about where to park at the Crown Coliseum.

Venue Policies

Methodist University is partnering with Crown Coliseum for commencement. This event venue has its own rules that guests are required to abide by. Please take a look at the Crown Coliseum Policies before arriving; in particular, pay attention to the Clear Bag Policy.

Graduate Photos

Methodist University Marketing & Communications offers free imagery of our graduates in multiple ways:

1. Graduates may receive free professional head shots on April 10, from 9-11 a.m., on the first floor of Berns. Dress to impress, perfect for resumes!
2. At Commencement, MarCom will photograph every student/sponsor during the hooding on stage and again with their diploma right after leaving the stage. These photos are free and will be available within a week on the MU Flickr page.

Graduation Hooding by Sponsors

The hooding ceremony takes place as you cross the stage to receive your diploma. Your sponsor, who holds the hood during the ceremony, will place the hood over your head just before you receive your diploma cover.

Many of our graduates choose a sponsor who has made a positive impact on their time at the University. This includes a parent, child, and even a university staff or faculty member. Your sponsor and their relationship to you will be announced as you walk across the stage.

The academic hood is a visual representation of your level of academic achievement and the scholastic degree being conferred. The hood is designed to be worn with the velvet side up and the small, tapered end in the front. The small, tapered end has a cord you may attach to a shirt button to prevent the hood from riding against your neck. The velvet trim represents the learning discipline (major), the chevron represents the college conferring the degree, the lining represents the University, and the black shell is the traditional color determined by the Intercollegiate Bureau.

Hooding Instructional Video

Graduation Cap Decoration

Please take into consideration the following guidelines when decorating your graduation caps (gowns may not be decorated):

• Only the flat, top area of the mortar board may be decorated. There may be nothing hanging down from any of the sides of the cap.
• Decorations must be flat on the surface of the cap. 3-D creations are prohibited.
• No advertisements. No symbols, abbreviations, initials, words, slogans, patches, or pictures that refer to drugs or controlled substances, tobacco, alcohol, or weapons or be of a sexual nature, denote an affiliation with gangs or which advocate violence or hate.

Methodist University reserves the right to confiscate any cap that is not in compliance with the university handbooks, policies, and procedures.

Failure to follow these rules will result in being asked to wear a plain cap provided by the Office of Academic Affairs. Students will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony without caps and gowns.

Grad Fest

Welcoming the new Alumni

Friday, April 10 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: Stout Hall lawn

A celebratory senior event where students can:

• Pick up caps and gowns
• Enjoy a cookout/picnic
• Decorate graduation caps
• Take photos and celebrate as a class

Tickets are required for the picnic. You may pick up your complimentary ticket for the picnic when you pick up your cap and gown.

Alumni Panel & Mixer

Friday, April 17 from 11 a.m.-Noon

Life Skills You Wish Someone Told You…A mentorship-style event connecting seniors with alumni through:

• Alumni panel discussion
• Networking and conversation
• Career insights and encouragement
• Leasing an apartment
• Professional etiquette at networking dinners
• Moving to a new city
• Work-life balance in your 20s

Class Toast (Senior Send-Off)

Friday, April 24 | Immediately Following Graduation Rehearsal

A special moment to honor the Class of 2026 and officially welcome them into alumnihood with:

• Short remarks
• Class celebration moment
• Formal toast and photo opportunity

Grads Give Back

In 2014 a group of seniors from the Class of 2014 established Grads Give Back to leave a legacy at MU. Now it is your turn! By supporting the Grads Give Back campaign, your gift to Methodist University is your first chance to pay it forward for students at MU. Make a gift today and receive your Class of 2026 t-shirt (unisex adult sizes S-2XL). Deadline to purchase the t-shirts is March 15. T-shirts can be picked up during Grad Fest on April 10 between 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Baccalaureate: A Moment of Gratitude & Blessing

The Baccalaureate will be seamlessly integrated into Saturday’s commencement ceremony, creating a moment for spiritual reflection by all. A blessing of the academic hoods will be followed by a poignant moment when you (as a graduate) will present the hood to your sponsor recognizing his or her support and guidance throughout your academic journey. The Baccalaureate moment anticipates Commencement, gives honor to God, and celebrates lives dedicated to learning and wisdom.

Hood Presentation Instructional Video

Questions

For questions about Commencement 2026, please reach out to this email address only: [email protected].