Commencement

Commencement will be held in the Stroh Center and tickets will be required for admission.

Commencement tickets and Honors cords (if applicable) will be available at the Fall Grad Daze event, Novemeber 8 & 9. After the Grad Daze, tickets can be picked up at Falcon Outfitters in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union.

The ceremony will be broadcast throughout the Stroh Center via television monitors in the Hall of Fame Atrium which is ideal for families with small children that may need to step away from the ceremony.

The honors calculation (pertains to undergraduates only) is based on a minimum of 110 hours in courses that count toward the grade point average. If a student has less than 110 hours that count toward the grade point average, the grade point average requirement is figured using a sliding scale. As the number of grade point average hours decreases, the grade point average requirements for honors increases. The hours and grade point average requirements for students with less than 110 grade point average hours may be obtained in the Office of Registration and Records. The grades earned from other institutions are used in the calculation of honors. Transfer students must also complete 56 hours at Bowling Green State University. A minimum of 30 of those hours must be used in the calculation of the grade point average. Please refer to the Undergraduate Catalog for additional information.

This information is presented in lieu of a commencement rehearsal.

The ceremony will last approximately two hours. The candidates from each college will be presented to the president, and the candidates will proceed row by row to the platform under the direction of the marshals. Candidates will remain seated until their row moves to the aisle to proceed to the stage. The name of each graduate will be announced, and those persons graduating with honors will be recognized. Each candidate will pass in front of the diploma table, receive a diploma cover, and return to their original seat and be seated.

After diploma covers have been issued, candidates will be asked to stand for the conferring of degrees. After degrees have been conferred, the Bachelor candidates will change their tassels from the right to the left. GradImages, a professional photography company, will be taking your picture as you wait in line by the announcers’ podium, as you receive your diploma cover, and at the end of the stage ramp in front of the University banner. You will be sent proofs with no obligation to purchase.  

Every effort is made to ensure that the names of all graduates are listed in the commencement program. Please note that a graduates name may be omitted due to the request for records confidentiality (FERPA hold), student status &/or program printing deadlines. Please direct any questions regarding degree requirements, honors, mailing of diplomas, or other concerns to the Office of Registration and Records: 419-372-8435 or 419-372-8441.

Graduates are asked to report to the Stroh Center Practice Court no later than 45 minutes prior to their ceremony for robing. Please enter through the Schmidthorst Pavilion Entrance ONLY, located on the southwest corner of the building. Upon entry, please follow signage and volunteer directives for assembly and line-up details. Graduates are grouped by college and by degree within the college.

Attire is business causal and graduates should not bring personal items or cell phones into the robing area. Please leave these items with family members. Appropriate clothing and shoes must be worn at ALL times.

If you plan to attend the ceremony, student caps and gowns are available for purchase online from Falcon Outfitters in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union or online from Jostens, the exclusive supplier of gradation products for Bowling Green State University. Falcon Outfitters also carries graduation merchandise such as personalized announcements, diploma frames and class rings.

Honors cords (if applicable) must be picked up from the Grad Daze event, Nov. 8 & 9 or from Falcon Outfitters.

If you have further questions regarding Falcon Outfitters merchandise or services, please call 419-372-2851 or toll free 866-517-9766

All campus lots and metered spaces (free to park Friday - Sunday) will be open with the exception of Lot 24, nearest the Stroh Center. This lot is reserved for guest with Commencement parking passes only (see Special Accommodation Seating information). Individuals with state-issued handicapped parking permits may also use Lot 24, nearest the Stroh Center. Please plan accordingly. Traffic on Mercer Rd, Alumni Dr. and Stadium Dr. will all be designated for one way traffic.

Special accommodation seating packets will be available by request for students with guests needing accommodations.

NOTE: Guests with special accommodation seating tickets will also need a standard entrance ticket.

How much is the graduation application fee? A non-refundable $35 fee will be charged to a student's bursar account the first time the student applies for an undergraduate and/or graduate degree. The fee is charged for students receiving an associate, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree. Students who receive multiple undergraduate degrees will only be charged once. Students who receive multiple graduate degrees will also only be charged once.

When will I be billed? You will be billed the $35.00 graduation application fee by the Bursar's Office after your graduation application is submitted. The fee will be applied as a charge to your student account and billed with any other outstanding expenses you may owe to BGSU. You may view your student bursar account activity on MyBGSU under the link "Bursar View Bill/Pay" and current activity by clicking the link on the bill page titled "Your transactions since this bill was produced." Please note you will not receive your official diploma until your bursar bill is a zero balance.

Do I have to pay the fee if I am not attending the graduation ceremony? Participation in the commencement ceremony is optional. Students must pay the non‐refundable graduation application fee regardless of their participation or lack of participation in the commencement ceremony. Failure to pay the fee may result in your final grades, transcript and diploma being withheld until your financial obligation is fulfilled. Again, the graduation application fee is required whether or not you choose to attend the ceremony.

Does the graduation fee cover the cost of my cap and gown? The graduation application fee offsets the costs associated with the commencement ceremonies and receptions, diplomas and diploma covers as well as the business practices associated with communication and records management. The graduation fee does not cover the cost of the cap and gown worn at commencement.

Each degree candidate is confirmed by the candidate’s academic college. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure all degree requirements are fulfilled via their MyBGSU degree audit. Students should check final grades in their MyBGSU Student Center. Colleges will communicate via BGSU email regarding outstanding requirements that would delay the confirmation of a degree. Please see the 'Mailing Diplomas' section for information regarding deadlines for clearance.

Diplomas will be mailed to the graduate's home address on January 18. Please note that transcripts and degree information will not be available until 3 weeks after commencement, provided you have completed all degree requirements.

All requirements for graduation must be recorded in the Office of Registration and Records. Please direct any questions regarding degree requirements, honors, mailing of diplomas, or other concerns to the Office of Registration and Records at 419-372-8441.

GradImages
800-261-2576
service@gradimages.com

Photographers from GradImages will be photographing graduates receiving their diploma, standing in front of the University Flag at the bottom of the ramp, and as they are waiting in line during the ceremony. GradImages offer graduates these photographic opportunities and mails proofs with no obligation to purchase.

As the official photographer, GradImages will be at commencement to capture the moment for you. GradImages gives you the option to pre-register your permanent e-mail address, as well as any other family members'. Pre-registration will allow GradImages to notify you within 72 hours after the ceremony about viewing the digital proofs and online ordering information.

1-800-780-5174
Fresh Flowers and Commemorative Commencement T-Shirts will be available for purchase at the Stroh Center for Bowling Green State University Commencement and are available now for pre-order online at www.CommencementFlowers.com/BGSU.

A live video stream of the Commencement ceremony will be available on the BGSU home page prior to each ceremony, as well as via the Video Streams link on this page.  

Archived Commencement ceremonies dating back to 2003 may be found at the BGSU Commencement Streaming Archive. 

DVD copies of Commencement ceremonies dating back to 2003 are available for purchase via the WBGU-TV website. For additional questions or concerns regarding Commencement DVDs, WBGU-TV may be reached at (419) 372-7020 or toll-free (888) 892-0010.

Share your graduation experience on Social Media:

• Facebook: We will create a Commencement photo album and post pictures taken by University photographers. You’re encouraged to visit this album and tag yourself! We will stream the entire the ceremony live!
  
  
• Twitter: Tag us in your photos using @BGSU use #BGSU2018
  
  
• Pinterest: We will feature some of our favorite graduation caps. Visit our page and repin our pins!
  
  
• Instagram: Tag us in your photos using @OfficialBGSU and tag #BGSU2018.
  
  
• Snapchat: Use the special Geofilter for the day's ceremony. You can also add us at OfficialBGSU and send us your snap to possibly be featured on our story.
  
  

For extended information about the city of Bowling Green Visit BG Ohio. You'll find useful information ranging from lodging and restaurants, to local maps and much more.

Your graduation marks a significant milestone and we’re thrilled to officially welcome you to a network of more than 175,000 alumni across the nation! We ask that you please consider staying connected to BGSU by participating in one of the Falcon regional alumni networks. If you are looking for a way to continuously contribute to the mission of BGSU as an alumnus, the alumni network is the ideal place to start.



Symbolize your pride and gratitude to those who have helped you along the way at BGSU by making a commitment to be a Forever Falcon. By making a charitable gift of $20.18 or more you’ll help future Falcons share in a great college experience. The best part is that you have the opportunity to choose where your dollars go! Did an organization, department or scholarship mean a lot to you? Continue the legacy of that group by designating your gift specifically to them.

If you find yourself with a new email address, mailing address, phone number or have any career updates, please share those with us – we would love to stay in contact and keep you up-to-date with all the happenings at BGSU.



Keep up with BGSU and fellow Alumni online www.bgsu.edu/alumni  

As you prepare for this special celebration, we hope you will consider the Bowen-Thompson Student Union as the location for your graduation party. We have a variety of rooms available, as well as on-site catering. Please call Conference & Event Services at 419-372-9000 to discuss the possibilities. For more information, visit our web site at www.bgsu.edu/union and click on Connect with an Event Specialist. Students and alumni are eligible for a 5% discount on facility fees for private events.