Ceremony Information
Spring 2023 Commencement exercises will be held on April 28-29 at the Stroh Center, on the Bowling Green campus.
Please review all ceremony information below. If you have questions after reviewing, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact us at commencement@bgsu.edu.
- Date and location - Spring 2023 Commencement exercises will be held on Friday, April 28, and Saturday, April 29, at the Stroh Center on the Bowling Green campus.
- RSVP requirement - All graduates who wish to attend their ceremony must complete the online RSVP form. The form will be sent to each graduate’s BGSU email and will close on April 7.
- Ceremony length - The ceremony should last approximately 2 hours. Out of respect for all graduates, guests and participants are expected to stay until the conclusion of their ceremony.
- Ceremony breakdown by college - The ceremonies are broken down by college as follows:
- Friday, April 28, 2023 - 7 p.m. ceremony
- Doctoral and master’s candidates from the Graduate College
- Bachelor’s candidates from the Allen W. and Carol M. Schmidthorst College of Business
- Associate and bachelor’s candidates from Firelands College
- Saturday, April 29, 2023 - 10 a.m. ceremony
- Bachelor’s candidates from the College of Arts and Sciences
- Bachelor’s candidates from the College of Health and Human Services
- Saturday, April 29, 2023 - 3 p.m. ceremony
- Bachelor’s candidates from the College of Education and Human Development
- Bachelor’s candidates from the College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering
- Bachelor’s candidates from the College of Musical Arts
- Friday, April 28, 2023 - 7 p.m. ceremony
- Guest tickets - Graduates who RSVP to their ceremony will receive five (5) electronic guest tickets. Tickets are required for entry into the Stroh Center, and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Electronic tickets will be sent to graduate’s BGSU email by April 21. No additional tickets will be provided. Guests age 2 and under do not require tickets.
- General parking - Free parking will be available in the parking lots surrounding the Stroh Center. Please follow all traffic signage, as well as directions of the parking staff and police officers.
- Handicap parking - Handicap parking will be available in the lots nearest to the Stroh Center. A state-issued disability placard or state-issued disability plate will be required for entry into these lots. Golf cart transportation will be available to those with accessibility needs.
- Pets - Pets are not permitted. Only service animals will be permitted.
- Accessibility Services - BGSU is committed to an inclusive and equitable Commencement experience. To individuals with disabilities, please indicate if you need special services, assistance or appropriate modifications to fully participate in this event by contacting Accessibility Services, access@bgsu.edu, 419-372-8495. Please notify us prior to the event.
- RSVP form - The RSVP form will capture accessibility needs of graduates and guests. In advance of the ceremony, a member of the commencement team will reach out to anyone who indicated accessibility needs. If you have any questions, please email commencement@bgsu.edu.
- ASL interpreter - An American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter will appear on all video screens and broadcasts.
- Arrival time and location - All graduates must arrive no later than 45 minutes prior to their ceremony. Graduates should enter through the Schmidthorst Pavilion entrance of the Stroh Center, located on the southwest corner of the building, which faces Wooster Street.
- Pick up your announcer card - Once graduates arrive, they must go to the check-in tables to receive and fill out their announcer card. The announcer card includes the graduate’s name and is used to recognize each graduate as they cross the stage. If you are concerned with the pronunciation of your name, please write your name phonetically on your card to help the announcer.
- Find your college area - Once you fill out your announcer card, volunteers will direct you to the location your college is assembling. Graduates should find their college and line up to prepare to enter the ceremony area.
- Entering the ceremony - Commencement staff will direct movement throughout the ceremony. Graduates will process into the ceremony area approximately 10 minutes prior to the start time of the ceremony. Staff will direct graduates to their seats.
- Crossing the stage - Commencement staff will direct graduates to the stage at the appropriate time. Graduates should bring their announcer card to the stage with them. Doctoral students should bring their hood to the stage with them. After crossing the stage, graduates must return to their seats.
- Late arrivals - Any graduate who is late may not be able to sit with their college. Graduates arriving late should go to the check-in tables. Event staff will try to assist you.
- Attire and personal items - Graduates should arrive in complete academic regalia (cap and gown). Attire under regalia is business casual. Appropriate clothing must be worn at all times. Comfortable, flat shoes are recommended. Any valuables or personal items should be left with family members or guests.
- Arrival time and tickets - Guests may be seated starting at one hour prior to the ceremony. Tickets are required for entry. Guests should have their guest tickets printed or on their mobile device ready to be scanned. Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
- General parking - Free parking will be available near the Stroh Center and throughout campus. Please follow all traffic signage, as well as directions of the parking staff and police officers.
- Handicap parking - Free handicap parking will be available in the lots nearest to the Stroh Center. A state-issued disability placard or state-issued disability plate will be required for entry into these lots.
- Golf cart assistance - Golf cart transportation will be available for those with mobility issues. Golf cart passengers will be picked-up and dropped-off at the designated areas.
- Academic regalia - Learn more about our caps and gowns policies and guidelines. You can purchase your cap and gown by visiting Falcon Outfitters or you can order online. If you have questions regarding Falcon Outfitters merchandise, call 419-372-2851 or toll free 866-517-9766.
- Livestream - For graduates and guests not able to attend in person, the Commencement ceremony will be livestreamed at BGSU.edu, BGSU YouTube and BGSU Facebook. Videos of graduate names being read will be made available online prior to the ceremonies.
- Photography vendor - GradImages will photograph graduates receiving their diploma, standing in front of the University backdrop, and as they are waiting in line. GradImages mails proofs with no obligation to purchase. Graduates can pre-register their email. Pre-registration allows GradImages to notify graduates within 72 hours after the ceremony about viewing the digital proofs and online ordering. For more information, call 800-261-2576 or email ecc.giservice@gradimages.net.
- Social media sharing - Graduates and guests are encouraged to share their photos on social media using the hashtag #BGSUGrad. Photos could be featured online or on-screen prior to a ceremony.
- Graduates must be approved for graduation by Registration and Records by April 7, 2023 in order to be included in the printed program, graduate name videos and to have their name displayed at the ceremony.
- After this deadline, a graduate may still be allowed to attend Commencement, cross the stage and receive their diploma cover. The Commencement team cannot guarantee their name will be included in the printed program, online graduate name videos or displayed on screen when crossing the stage.
Updated: 02/09/2023 10:38AM