Spring Undergraduate Ceremony

Ceremony start time:

7:30 p.m. – Graduates should arrive by 6:45 p.m.

Doors open:

5:30 p.m.

Guests should enter using Gates 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Graduates should enter using Gate 10.

Tickets are required for all graduates at the Spring Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony to sit on the field. More information will be posted to the website under Tickets. Tickets are not required for guests to the ceremony.

One of the most decorated American athletes of all time, Allison Schmitt is a four-time Olympian and 10-time Olympic medalist in swimming. A veteran leader, Schmitt, known as “Schmitty”, was elected captain by her teammates at the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games. She is still the current American record holder in the 200-meter freestyle, which she has held since 2009.

Out of the pool, she is an avid mental health advocate, speaking out about her personal struggles with depression and her family’s tragedy of losing a loved one to suicide. Passionate about raising awareness and helping those who are battling mental health issues, Schmitt graduated in May 2023 with a master’s degree in social work from Arizona State University, a degree she received 10 years after earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology from UGA. She always intended to teach once her professional swimming career ended. Now, she plans to use her degree, her athletic experiences, and her education skills to empower others to overcome personal battles allowing them to grow in their own journey. Allison Schmitt is committed to making a difference by positively impacting the lives of others.

Outside of athletics and studies, Schmitt likes to maximize her time with those she loves. She enjoys the fresh air, exploring new places and cultures, playing board games, and attending to creative projects. She is the daughter of Ralph and Gail Schmitt, the middle sibling to her three sisters and one brother (Kirsten, Derek, Kari, Sara).

Student Speaker

Trent Nesbit, BBA, Economics, Terry College of Business.

Every year, the Student Government Association nominates a graduating student to serve as the student commencement speaker through an open application and selection process.

For questions regarding eligibility for graduation, please contact the Office of the Registrar at reghelp@uga.edu.

For questions regarding digital tickets, please contact the UGA Ticket Office at 706-542-1231.

FAQs regarding digital tickets

Sanford Stadium gates will open at 5:30 p.m.

Enter through Gate 10.

As you enter, your ticket will be scanned and you will be given a wristband to access graduate seating on the field. Please proceed directly to the field. Only graduates with a wristband will be allowed to sit on the field. 

Graduates will be seated by their schools or colleges. Marshals will assist students in finding their correct section.

Each graduate may bring a sealed bottle of water into the stadium. 

There will be no graduate processional for the Spring Undergraduate Commencement ceremony.   

Graduates will be seated by their schools or colleges. 

Seating charts will be available one week prior to commencement. 

In addition to watching the ceremony in person, the Spring Undergraduate Commencement ceremony will be broadcast live on the Commencement homepage starting at 7:25 p.m.

Undergraduates who apply to graduate for the Spring or Summer 2024 semesters by the March 1 deadline will be allowed to participate in the Spring Undergraduate Commencement ceremony.  Students who have applied for graduation, or who have graduated, in another semester are not eligible to participate.

For general information regarding graduation requirements, consult the UGA Bulletin. To ensure that you have met all the requirements for graduation, check with a degree program specialist in the dean’s office of your school or college. You should also be checking your progress via DegreeWorks. All undergraduates must apply to graduate for the semester in which they will take their last course(s) toward their graduation requirements using the graduation application in Athena.

Apply to graduate

Graduate Recognition

Undergraduate degree candidates will rise with their school or college when degrees are conferred.

Degree candidates earning Latin honors will be recognized during the ceremony. Degree candidates who meet the following GPA criteria and who do not have a FERPA restriction will be noted in the commencement program. Latin honors distinctions effective for Spring and Summer 2024 undergraduates are found below:

First Honor Graduates have maintained a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade point average on all work attempted at the University of Georgia as well as all college-level transfer work attempted prior to or following enrollment at the University. These students are celebrated for their high standards of academic excellence and their outstanding achievements. Their regalia includes a fourragère, a braided cord, worn on the shoulder.

For the purposes of the commencement program, Latin honors recognition is based on the student’s overall undergraduate GPA going into the student’s last semester. Final Latin honors will be determined following the conclusion of the student’s last semester.

UGA merchandise, including diploma frames, can be purchased from the University of Georgia Bookstore located next to Sanford Stadium as well as online at Jostens.

UGA Bookstore

Jostens

UGA Balfour

Digital programs will be available to download for the Undergraduate Commencement ceremony.

The program will contain the names of those students who applied for Spring and Summer 2024 graduation.

If you would like to receive a printed copy of the full Spring 2024 Commencement program, please fill out this form by June 14, 2024.  Limit is two per graduate.

A summary program featuring the order of events will be handed out at the ceremony.

In order to appear in the program, candidates for degrees must remove their FERPA restrictions when applying for graduation.

For items believed to have been lost in Sanford Stadium, please contact the University of Georgia Police Department at detectives@police.uga.edu.

First Aid and ambulance services will be on-site to assist with emergency needs. First Aid stations are located at Section 119 and on the Field Level at the East End Zone Lounge.

• Please follow the Clear Bag Policy.
• On-site wheelchairs are NOT available. Guests with difficulty walking are strongly encouraged to bring their own wheelchair. 
• Wear comfortable shoes. You will be walking and standing for long periods of time.
• Leave purses, coats, and other belongings with your family members.
• Remain standing in front of your seat during the entire procession. Do not stand in the aisles.
• Pick a place to meet your family and friends once the ceremony is completed.
• Please be respectful of those around you and the fact that this is a formal academic ceremony. Beach balls, air horns, and other similar distractions may be confiscated.
• Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at any UGA commencement ceremony.

Security has the right to inspect any item at any time for the purpose of safety.

Prohibited items must be returned to cars or disposed of before entering and will not be accepted by employees nor stored at the gates.

The Undergraduate Commencement ceremony is held rain or shine and will only be rescheduled in the event of severe weather. Severe weather is defined as rain accompanied by high wind, thunder, and lightning. The alternate ceremony time is 10 a.m. the following day.

If it is raining on the morning of commencement, but not declared severe weather, the ceremony will be held as planned in the stadium. Each student will be provided a poncho to wear.

Any changes to the commencement ceremony will be announced by 10:00 a.m. the day of commencement, and the information will be placed on the UGA homepage by 10:30 a.m.

We will provide the information to major local radio stations, but please be aware that many stations rely on computerized programming and are not able to broadcast special announcements.

If weather is a concern for you or a member of your party, you may wish to consider a different viewing option.

Parking for commencement is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Suggested parking areas include, Hull Deck (W05), South Campus Deck (S11), East Campus Deck (E04), and Performing Arts Center Deck (E20).

The Tate Center Deck and lot E12 are reserved for designated participants by permit only.

For disability parking, see disability access.

If you have additional parking questions, please contact Parking Services at 706‑542‑7275.

Undergraduate Commencement Parking Map

Any graduates or guests needing any accommodations for a disability please email ADARSVP@uga.edu by May 1, 2024 so that we can best accommodate your needs the day of commencement.  Questions can also be directed to the Disability Resource Center by calling 706-542-8719.

Visitors with mobility concerns are strongly encouraged to arrive early and be prepared for the exertion required of the day. Stadium Gates open 2 hours prior to the start of the ceremony.

On-site wheelchairs are NOT available. Guests with difficulty walking are strongly encouraged to bring their own wheelchair. Wheelchairs are commonly available for short-term rental from medical supply stores and some pharmacies.

Please review the following for seating reservation information.

Disability Parking and Transportation

Parking for guests with disabilities is available at the East Campus Deck (E04). An ADA accessible shuttle will be available from those areas to the stadium. Personal vehicle drop offs are NOT permitted near the stadium, please plan accordingly.

Parking Map

Wheelchair Disability Seating Reservations

To better accommodate the various needs of our visitors at commencement, UGA is providing two options for wheelchair accessible seating which may be reserved online. Reservations may be made for one person in a wheelchair and one companion. Guests who do not have a reservation will be directed on-site to the section that has available space.

Field Level Wheelchair Section — East End Zone

• Allows access for one person in a wheelchair and one companion (two individuals per reservation).  Additional family members will need to sit separately in general seating. Please plan accordingly.
• This section is located near the East End Zone. This section faces the main stage and provides a direct view of the event; however, this seating area will not be covered or enclosed.
• Guests must access this section from the elevators located between Gate 5 and Gate 6 on East Campus Road. Once you check in at the registration table at Gate 6, a guide will lead you to this area.
• Vehicles are not allowed to drop off and pick-up near the stadium. Shuttles will run from the East Campus Parking Deck. Parking Map.
• Please be advised that Sanford Stadium does NOT provide wheelchairs. Guests with difficulty walking are strongly encouraged to bring their own wheelchair.
• Please prepare appropriately for direct sun — sunscreen and hats are highly suggested. Umbrellas are permitted in the stadium.
• Water is available, and ADA accessible portable restrooms are located nearby.

Interior Covered Wheelchair Section — Level 200

• Allows access for one person in a wheelchair and one companion (two individuals per reservation). Additional family members will need to sit separately in general seating. Please plan accordingly.
• Level 200 wheelchair seating is open air but covered. It has televisions which display a live feed of the ceremony; however, there is no field view, so anticipate watching the ceremony on the television screens.
• This area is located on Level 200 in the East End of the stadium behind section 218.
• Guests must access this section from the elevators located between Gate 5 and Gate 6 on East Campus Road. Once you check in at the registration table at Gate 6, a guide will lead you to this area.
• Vehicles are not allowed to drop off and pick-up near the stadium. Shuttles will run from the East Campus Parking Deck. Parking Map.
• Please be advised that Sanford Stadium does NOT provide wheelchairs. Guests with difficulty walking are strongly encouraged to bring their own wheelchair.
• Water is available, and accessible restrooms are located nearby.

Wheelchair Disability Seating Reservations

Reserve Disability Seating

Use this form if you need wheelchair seating as a guest at UGA's spring 2024 commencement.

Wheelchair Disability seating is limited, and requests will be processed as they are received.

If you have a mobility impairment but plan to sit in general admission seating, you do not need to complete this form. Please email ADARSVP@uga.edu with any questions or concerns. 

On-site wheelchairs are NOT available. Guests with difficulty walking are strongly encouraged to bring their own wheelchair.

Guests who do not have a reservation will be directed on-site to the section that has available space.

For more information or questions, please contact ADARSVP@uga.edu.

Captioning and Interpreting Services

The undergraduate ceremony will have open captioning in Sanford Stadium. A live streaming transcription of the audio portion of the ceremony will be displayed on the large reader boards for guests with difficulty hearing. 

Real time-captioning will be displayed on the large reader boards and will also be able to access it on their personal devices via the livestream. Should an individual need assistance with technology, please contact ADARSVP@uga.edu at least two weeks prior to the event.  

Individuals who need to request an ASL interpreter may do by contacting ADARSVP@uga.edu. Requests should be made two weeks prior to the event to ensure service is available.

The Arch

For University of Georgia alumni with mobility impairments who choose to pass through the Arch after graduation, the University will have a temporary platform in place on Saturday, May 11 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

For related questions, contact Qiana Wilson, director of the Equal Opportunity Office, at 706-542‑7912 or ugaeoo@uga.edu.

Appropriate academic regalia must be worn by graduates in order to participate in the Commencement ceremony.

Program-Specific Colors

With the exception of the honors tassels, the color of tassels are indicative of the academic subject area.

The color of the velvet on the hoods worn by PhD candidates is dark blue regardless of academic subject.

The colors associated with these subject areas are as follows:

Honors Tassels

Review complete information regarding respective standards for honors graduation.

Undergraduate students who anticipate graduating with honors may wear an honors tassel:

Regalia Orders

Caps, gowns and hoods may be purchased online from Jostens.  Please click the button below for  purchasing information. Announcements can be ordered online from Jostens.

Jostens

Please note: If you order your academic regalia from someone other than Jostens, they will not be able to assist you with missing or replacement items.

The grad fair will be hosted by the UGA Bookstore March 20 and March 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The online ordering deadline is February 11 for delivery and pick up at the grad fair.

Students will be issued a printed diploma that will be mailed to the student’s provided address as well as a Certified Electronic Diploma, or CeDiploma, to their UGA email account.  Both the printed diploma and CeDiploma will be issued approximately 8-10 weeks following the official graduation date.  

Please see the Registrar’s Office website for complete information regarding applying to graduate and diplomas.