Fall 2023 Commencement
Commencement Live Broadcasts
Saturday, May 13, 3 p.m.
Enmarket Arena in Savannah
colleges of Health Professions and Public Health
The live feed will begin Saturday, May 13 at 2:55 p.m.
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If the issue persists, please view the live feed on Facebook via the button below.
Closing Sweetheart Circle for Graduation Photos
Graduates,
We know many of you want to take pictures in your regalia on campus before graduation. To make this safer and easier for you, we are asking that anyone who wants to take pictures on Sweetheart Circle on the Statesboro Campus to do so only on:
- Friday, Dec. 8, 3-6 p.m.
- Wednesday, Dec. 13, 3-6 p.m.
During these days and time, University officials will limit traffic on one lane on the circle and will prevent anyone from exiting campus on Southern Drive. This will allow graduates a safer experience as they take pictures at one of the prettiest campus locations in the country.
Please see the attached map to see how traffic will flow on these days and times.
To make the experience memorable for you and others, we would ask that when you take pictures:
- Please clean up after yourself
- Preserve the beauty of our campus and don’t walk in the flowerbeds
- Don’t bring or use glass
- Be aware of vehicles in the road – they may not see you
- Don’t use confetti unless it’s biodegradable
Information for Faculty and Staff
Southern Drive will be closed for traffic exiting the university on Friday, Dec. 8 and Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 3-6 p.m. This is being done to provide our graduating students some safe times when they can take their pictures on Sweetheart Circle.
Anyone who parks on or near the circle that day will not be able to exit on the circle between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Instead, traffic will be routed behind Sanford Hall, through the baseball parking lot (Lot 13) and exit campus by the tennis courts. Please see map below.
Thank you in advance for your patience as we try to provide graduating students a safe opportunity to take their graduation photos at one of the prettiest campus locations in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
| question | answer | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| When are the Fall 2023 Commencement ceremonies? |
Georgia Southern University is planning five separate ceremonies:
| timing, length, days, schedule, dates, times, locations, | |
| How do I get my regalia (cap and gown) and from where? |
Students may reserve their cap and gown on the Herff Jones website. Details on cap and gown will be posted on the Office of the Registrar website. | outfit, clothing, clothes | |
| How long will each ceremony last? | With approximately 2,100 total graduates, we anticipate each ceremony will be about two and a half hours. | timing, length, time, hours, minutes, days | |
| Will there be a commencement speaker? | Yes. There will be a different speaker for each ceremony. View the specific ceremony page for the speaker information. | keynote, speech | |
| Will there be a practice for any ceremony? | No. Participants need to arrive at least one hour before the ceremony begins for line up and directions. | reception, rehearsal | |
| Do graduates need a ticket to get into the ceremony? | No, your cap and gown is your ticket. | entry, | |
| Do guests need tickets to enter the venue and if so, how many will I receive? | Students who choose to graduate in either Savannah ceremony at Enmarket Arena will be able to reserve up to 10 tickets for their guests. Students will receive more information about tickets through their Georgia Southern email account closer to the ceremony date. Each guest, regardless of age and including currently enrolled students, will need a ticket to enter Enmarket Arena. Tickets will not be required for guests of graduates who choose to participate in the ceremony at Allen E. Paulson Stadium. Graduates will not need tickets. Their cap and gown is their ticket. | entry, | |
| Will I get my diploma at the ceremony? | You will receive a diploma cover at the ceremony. You will receive your diploma in the mail approximately six to eight weeks after the semester you complete degree requirements. | certificate, paper, mailed, delivered | |
| So, what are my options if I’m graduating with a master’s, specialist or doctorate degree? | Graduate students can choose to graduate in Statesboro on Dec. 14 or in Savannah on Dec. 16. | ||
| Where is the Enmarket Arena and what do I need to know about parking for the Savannah ceremony? | The address for the Enmarket Arena is 620 Stiles Ave, Savannah, GA 31415. View directions and parking information on the Enmarket Arena website. There will be no charge for parking at Enmarket Arena on the day of Commencement. | cars, driving, drive, fee | |
| Do Enmarket Arena’s policies apply to the commencement ceremony in Savannah? | Yes. Please visit Enmarket Arena’s A-Z guide for complete information on the venue’s policies. | purse, venue, conduct, signs | |
| Does the stadium’s policies apply to the commencement ceremony in Paulson Stadium? | Yes, for commencement, both graduates and guests must comply with the policies that are required by Paulson Stadium fan code of conduct. Those guidelines are available at the Fan Code of Conduct page. Clear bags will not be required. | purse, venue, conduct, signs | |
| What about inclement weather? | The ceremony at Paulson Stadium is outside and will take place rain or shine unless the weather is threatening and compromising safety. There will be no rain plan. If rain is in the forecast, graduates and guests are strongly encouraged to bring appropriate rain gear. Umbrellas are permitted. The ceremony in Savannah is indoors. | storm, sunny, thunder, lightning, | |
| If I have a disability and have concerns about participating in the ceremony, what should I do? | Contact the Student Accessibility Resource Center at 912-478-1566. | ada, disabled, disable, assistance, access | |
| If one of my guests has a disability and needs information about attending the ceremony, what should I do? |
Contact the Student Accessibility Resource Center for guest-related accessibility questions at 912-344-2572 or sarcsav@georgiasouthern.edu. | ada, disabled, disable, assistance, access | |
| Are pets or animals allowed at the ceremonies? | Only service animals will be allowed at any Commencement ceremony. | dogs, cats, ada, disabled, disable, assistance, access, emotional support, horse | |
| Can the ceremonies be viewed online? | All ceremonies will be livestreamed on the university’s Facebook page and on the university’s commencement page. | video, feed, simulcast | |
| Do I have to apply for graduation? | Yes. All students, regardless of whether they choose to participate in Commencement ceremonies, must apply for graduation in order to receive their degree. | application, graduation, wings, | |
| How do I apply for graduation? | All candidates must submit an Application for Graduation through your WINGS account at least three semesters before you anticipate completing degree requirements. Please click here for instructions to apply. Please access your WINGS account through MyGeorgiaSouthern to enter a Diploma Address (DA) that is valid six to eight weeks after commencement for delivery of your diploma. For more graduation information, click here. | application, graduation, wings, diploma |
Question not answered above? Email communications@georgiasouthern.edu
Traditions and Commencement Facts
Graduate Stories
Share your photos with #GSGrad23
Archives
Tuesday, May 9, 10 a.m.
Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro
colleges of Arts and Humanities, Science and Mathematics, Health Professions, and Public Health
Wednesday, May 10, 10 a.m.
Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro
colleges of Business and Education
Thursday, May 11, 10 a.m.
Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro
colleges of Behavioral and Social Sciences, and Engineering and Computing
Saturday, May 13, 10 a.m.
Enmarket Arena in Savannah
colleges of Arts and Humanities, Education, Science and Mathematics, Behavioral and Social Sciences, Business, and Engineering and Computing
Saturday, May 13, 3 p.m.
Enmarket Arena in Savannah
colleges of Health Professions and Public Health
Saturday, December 10, 2 p.m.
Enmarket Arena in Savannah
Undergraduate and Graduate Ceremony
all colleges
Tuesday, December 13, 2 p.m.
Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro
Undergraduate and Graduate Ceremony
all colleges
Monday, May 9, 10 a.m.
Statesboro, Allen E. Paulson Stadium
Undergraduate and Graduate Ceremony
colleges of Arts and Humanities, Health Professions, and Public Health
Tuesday, May 10, 10 a.m.
Statesboro, Allen E. Paulson Stadium
Undergraduate and Graduate Ceremony
colleges of Business, Education, and Science and Mathematics
Wednesday, May 11, 10 a.m.
Statesboro, Allen E. Paulson Stadium
Undergraduate and Graduate Ceremony
colleges of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Engineering and Computing
Friday, May 13, 10 a.m.
Savannah, Savannah Convention Center
Undergraduate and Graduate Ceremony
colleges of Arts and Humanities, Business, Education, Science and Mathematics, Behavioral and Social Sciences, and Engineering and Computing
Friday, May 13, 3 p.m.
Savannah, Savannah Convention Center
Undergraduate and Graduate Ceremony
colleges of Health Professions and Public Health
Saturday, December 11, 3 p.m.
Savannah Convention Center
Undergraduate and Graduate Ceremony
All Colleges
Monday, December 13, 2 p.m.
Statesboro Allen E. Paulson Stadium
Undergraduate and Graduate Ceremony
Colleges of Business, Education, Health Professions, and Public Health
Tuesday, December 14, 2 p.m.
Statesboro Allen E. Paulson Stadium
Undergraduate and Graduate Ceremony
Colleges of Arts and Humanities, Behavioral and Social Sciences, Engineering and Computing, and Science and Mathematics
Saturday, May 8 at 10 a.m.
Savannah Convention Center
Savannah Undergraduate and Graduate Ceremony
colleges of Arts and Humanities, Business, Education, Science and Mathematics, Behavioral and Social Sciences, and Engineering and Computing
Saturday, May 8 at 3 p.m.
Savannah Convention Center
Savannah Undergraduate and Graduate Ceremony
colleges of Health Professions, and Public Health
Monday, May 10 at 9 a.m.
Allen E. Paulson Stadium
Statesboro Undergraduate Ceremony
colleges of Arts and Humanities, Health Professions, and Public Health
Tuesday, May 11 at 9 a.m.
Allen E. Paulson Stadium
Statesboro Undergraduate Ceremony
colleges of Business, Education, and Science and Mathematics
Wednesday, May 12 at 9 a.m.
Allen E. Paulson Stadium
Statesboro Undergraduate Ceremony
colleges of Behavioral and Social Sciences, and Engineering and Computing
Thursday, May 13 at 9 a.m.
Allen E. Paulson Stadium
Statesboro Graduate Ceremony
Sunday, December 13 at 2 p.m.
Savannah Convention Center
Savannah Undergraduate Ceremony
Wednesday, December 16 at 10 a.m.
Allen E. Paulson Stadium
Statesboro Undergraduate Ceremony – College of Arts and Humanities, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
Wednesday, December 16 at 3 p.m.
Allen E. Paulson Stadium
Statesboro Undergraduate Ceremony – Waters College of Health Professions and Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing
Thursday, December 17 at 10 a.m.
Allen E. Paulson Stadium
Statesboro Undergraduate Ceremony – Parker College of Business, College of Education and College of Science and Mathematics
Thursday, December 17 at 3 p.m.
Allen E. Paulson Stadium
Statesboro Graduate Ceremony
Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing
College of Arts and Humanities
College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
College of Education
College of Science and Mathematics
Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
Parker College of Business
Waters College of Health Professions
View Photos from the Fall 2019 Commencement
Statesboro Ceremony
Paulson Stadium
Saturday, December 14, 2019 – 1 p.m.
Savannah Ceremony
Savannah Convention Center
Friday, December 13, 2019 – 1 p.m.