Frequently Asked Questions

BGSU will host Commencement exercises on the Bowling Green campus on May 2-3, 2025. Learn more by exploring our Ceremony Information page.

The doctoral hooding will take place during the Doctoral Hooding and Graduate College Ceremony on Friday, May 2 at 7 p.m at the Stroh Center. Learn more by exploring our Ceremony Information page.

During this event, there will be an official procession for doctoral candidates and faculty advisors, formal remarks by University leadership and the reading of each doctoral candidate's name and dissertation title. Upon the reading of your name, you will cross the stage and be officially hooded. University photographers will capture graduate photos with faculty advisors, deans and University leadership. A link to the photos will be sent to each graduate following the ceremony.

All Commencement ceremonies are livestreamed at BGSU.edu/commencement, BGSU YouTube and BGSU Facebook. 

Graduates must be approved for graduation by Registration and Records by April 11, 2025 in order to be included in the printed program and to have their name displayed on screen at the ceremony. 

After this deadline, a graduate may still be permitted to attend Commencement, cross the stage and receive their diploma cover; however their name will not be included in the printed program, or displayed on screen when crossing the stage.

Caps, gowns and other graduation items are available for purchase online from Falcon Outfitters and in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union. Items can also be purchased online from Jostens, the exclusive supplier of graduation products for BGSU. Falcon Outfitters also carries graduation merchandise such as personalized announcements, diploma frames and class rings. If you have further questions regarding Falcon Outfitters merchandise or services, please call 419-372-2851 or toll free 866-517-9766.

Based on undergraduate coursework, students earning a gold honors cord will be notified via their BGSU email and text message approximately 5-7 weeks prior to their ceremony.

Bowling Green campus undergraduates may pick up their cord at Falcon Outfitters inside the Bowen-Thompson Student Union. Firelands campus undergraduates will have their cord mailed to their home address.

If you have questions about your specific honor, please refer to the BGSU Academic Honors page, or email the Office of Registration and Records at graduation@bgsu.edu and include your BGSU ID.

The President's Award is given to bachelor's degree candidates graduating with a 4.0 cumulative BGSU grade point average with no fewer than 60 letter-graded credit hours earned at BGSU.

Family and friends can use the hashtag #BGSUGrad on Instagram or Twitter to share photos, messages and advice for graduates. Your post could be featured on the Commencement website or on screen before the in-person ceremony. Please visit our Share Your Celebration section for more digital fun.

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.

Upon verification of completion of degree requirements, a notification to claim a digital version of the diploma will be sent to the graduate’s BGSU email within 1-3 weeks after commencement.  Printed diplomas will be sent to each graduate approximately 3-6 weeks following commencement. Transcripts will not be available until 3 weeks after Commencement, provided you have completed all degree requirements. 

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. Colleges may communicate via BGSU email regarding outstanding requirements that would delay the confirmation of a degree.

Please direct diploma questions to graduation@bgsu.edu or the Office of Registration and Records at 419-372-8441.

Commencement exercises will be held on the dates below.

• Summer 2025:  Aug. 8-9, 2025
• Fall 2025:  Dec. 12-13, 2025
• Spring 2026:  May. 1-2, 2026

Ceremony times and college breakdowns will be determined approximately two months prior to Commencement based on final graduate counts.