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Statesboro Commencement Ceremonies

Thursday, December 14, 2 p.m.

Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro

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

It’s time to RSVP for Fall Commencement! Graduates: Look for the form in your MarchingOrder account!

Home > Fall 2023 Commencement > Statesboro Commencement Ceremonies
Before the Ceremony
During the Ceremony
After the Ceremony

Prepare for the Ceremony

Apply for Fall 2023 Graduation Through WINGS by Aug. 25 >

Graduate Information

Academic Attire

Caps and gowns are required, and only academic attire approved for the ceremony may be worn. The University Honors Medallion as well as stoles—which include, but are not limited to, Honors Society scarves/cords and Sorority/Fraternity scarves—are approved graduation attire. We suggest candidates wear dark flat shoes, dark dresses or dark pants with their graduation gowns.

Tassels

For undergraduate students, tassels should be worn on the right side of the cap hanging over the right eye. At the ceremony, the President will ask you to move your tassel to the left side of the cap during the ceremony. 

For graduate students, tassels should be worn on the left side of the cap hanging over the left eye. The mortarboard of the cap should be parallel to the ground.

Invitations and Commemorative Items

Diploma frames and other commemorative items are available at the University Store on the Statesboro Campus. You may also purchase merchandise online at the University Store’s website. 

Invitations, thank you notes, and certificates can be ordered through Printing and Postal Services, in the Main Dining Commons or on the Printing and Postal Services online webstore.

Class rings can be ordered on the Herff Jones website.

Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro

Allen E. Paulson Stadium, home of the Georgia Southern Eagles football team, is a 25,000-seat capacity stadium on the Statesboro Campus. Construction was complete and the stadium was dedicated on Sept. 29, 1984, with a 48-11 rout of Liberty Baptist. The game was a fitting end to four years of planning and hard work — four years of dreaming of one of the finest football facilities in America. 

1332 Southern Dr.,
Statesboro, GA 30458

Directions to the Stadium

Guests and Family Information

Travel, Food and Lodging

We are excited to welcome families and guests of our graduates for our annual commencement ceremonies. Guests may learn more about our communities on our visitors page. Our out of town guests can view lodging and dining options through Visit Statesboro.

Ticket Information

Guest tickets will not be required for guests of graduates who choose to participate in the ceremony at Allen E. Paulson Stadium.

Pictures

A professional photographer from GradImages will take a picture of your graduate as they cross the stage. A proof of this picture will be emailed to graduates Georgia Southern email addresses and mailed to their home address. Graduates can preregister for photos and receive 20% off if they decide to purchase.

Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro

Allen E. Paulson Stadium, home of the Georgia Southern Eagles football team, is a 25,000-seat capacity stadium on the Statesboro Campus. Construction was complete and the stadium was dedicated on Sept. 29, 1984, with a 48-11 rout of Liberty Baptist. The game was a fitting end to four years of planning and hard work — four years of dreaming of one of the finest football facilities in America. 

1332 Southern Dr.,
Statesboro, GA 30458

Directions to the Stadium

Venue Policies

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.

Faculty and Staff Information

Help Us Host Commencement

As Commencement is a respected University-wide event, the Commencement Committee is currently seeking faculty and staff volunteers to serve as hosts and candidate assistants for each ceremony.

As a Commencement Host, your primary tasks will be to greet guests, assist with guest seating and post-ceremony departure.  

As a Candidate Assistant, you will need to ensure that students are in the correct college seating area, ensure each student has a GradPass, and that college rows have an equal number of students, in addition to other assigned duties throughout the ceremony. 

Learn more about volunteering for commencement.

Sign Up to Volunteer

Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro

Allen E. Paulson Stadium, home of the Georgia Southern Eagles football team, is a 25,000-seat capacity stadium on the Statesboro Campus. Construction was complete and the stadium was dedicated on Sept. 29, 1984, with a 48-11 rout of Liberty Baptist. The game was a fitting end to four years of planning and hard work — four years of dreaming of one of the finest football facilities in America. 

1332 Southern Dr.,
Statesboro, GA 30458

Directions to the Stadium

During the Ceremony

Decorum

Commencement is a special and significant occasion in your life. Many of your family and friends will come from a long distance to witness this memorable ceremony. Our faculty, staff and administrators have planned the program and arrangements with every consideration to make this an impressive and enjoyable event for all candidates and spectators.

Please follow these decorum guidelines for Commencement:

  • Arrive an hour before the ceremony.
  • Remain quiet and in your seat except when going to the stage or being recognized by your dean and the President. You are not allowed to leave before the ceremony concludes.
  • No smoking.
  • No alcoholic beverages.
  • No balloons.
  • Umbrellas are permitted, please bring a poncho in case of rain.
  • Wear proper graduation attire. Candidates should wear dark, flat shoes and dress attire with graduation gowns.
  • A stole associated with an honor society, a student organization/group represented on campus, or a department of Georgia Southern University may be worn at the commencement ceremony.
  • Cell phone ringers must be turned off during the Commencement ceremony and only text messaging is allowed during the ceremony.
  • No gathering for group photos during the ceremony.
  • No use of selfie sticks or noise makers such as cowbells, horns, megaphones, etc. will be allowed.
  • Other items not allowed into the ceremony include: Outside food/drink, posters 
  • Do not engage in other disruptive behavior during the ceremony.

Commencement Program

A commencement program listing the names of all candidates will be placed in the candidates’ seats at the ceremony. A digital program is available below as well. 

Download the Commencement Program (2 MB PDF)

Live Webcast of Commencement

The commencement ceremonies will be broadcast live on the University’s Facebook page and an embed of the livestream will also be placed on the main commencement page during the time of the ceremonies. The Facebook Live event will begin approximately 5-15 minutes before the ceremony. Due to technical constraints, some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) do not permit the use of their systems to transmit such broadcasts. Should you not be able to view the broadcast, please contact your local ISP.

Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro

Allen E. Paulson Stadium, home of the Georgia Southern Eagles football team, is a 25,000-seat capacity stadium on the Statesboro Campus. Construction was complete and the stadium was dedicated on Sept. 29, 1984, with a 48-11 rout of Liberty Baptist. The game was a fitting end to four years of planning and hard work — four years of dreaming of one of the finest football facilities in America. 

1332 Southern Dr.,
Statesboro, GA 30458

Directions to the Stadium

Parking and Shuttles

Parking is available at Paulson Stadium and other locations on campus. To minimize traffic congestion, carpooling is encouraged. 

Shuttles will be available on commencement days. The shuttles will begin running one hour before each ceremony and run for one hour after each ceremony. Each parking lot stop is listed below: 

  1. Russell Union/The University Store
  2. Engineering Building/Performing Arts Center
  3. RAC

View the parking and shuttle maps below:

Candidate Information

Academic Attire

Caps and gowns are required, and only academic attire approved for the ceremony may be worn. The University Honors Medallion as well as stoles—which include, but are not limited to, Honors Society scarves/cords and Sorority/Fraternity scarves—are approved graduation attire. We suggest candidates wear dark flat shoes, dark dresses or dark pants with their graduation gowns.

Tassels

For undergraduate students, tassels should be worn on the right side of the cap hanging over the right eye. At the ceremony, the President will ask you to move your tassel to the left side of the cap during the ceremony. 

For graduate students, tassels should be worn on the left side of the cap hanging over the left eye. The mortarboard of the cap should be parallel to the ground.

Accessibility

Candidates who need accommodations during the graduation ceremony due to limited mobility should contact the Student Accessibility Resource Center (SARC) at 912-478-1566.

On the day of the ceremony, they may also speak with a Guest Services representative upon arrival. ADA representatives will assist them with getting to their seat.

Candidate Arrival

Candidates should arrive at Paulson Stadium an hour before the ceremony. Enter through gates 9 and 11 and proceed to the seating area on either side of the Bishop Building, based on your college for undergraduates and degree level for graduate students (masters, specialist, doctorate).

Parking

Parking is available at Paulson Stadium and other locations on campus. To minimize traffic congestion, carpooling is encouraged. 

Shuttles will be available on commencement days. The shuttles will begin running one hour before each ceremony and run for one hour after each ceremony. Each parking lot stop is listed below: 

  1. Russell Union/The University Store
  2. Engineering Building/Performing Arts Center
  3. RAC

Shuttle Map

Photography

A professional photographer from GradImages will take a picture of you as you cross the stage. A proof of this picture will be emailed to you at your Georgia Southern email address and mailed to your home address so that you may decide if you wish to purchase these photos.

If you preregister, you can get 20% off of your purchase.

Candidate Seating

Seating for the Paulson Stadium ceremonies will begin an hour before each ceremony.  Please enter at the west end of Paulson Stadium — gates 9 and 11. Please proceed to the seating area on either side of the Bishop Building. Your seating location is determined by your college for undergraduate students and by your degree level for graduate students. Staff members will help direct you to your seat in the seating area.

Name Cards (GradPass)

A GradPass will be sent to you through Marching Order. You MUST have the electronic GradPass accessible on your cell phone or a printed copy of the GradPass before entering the stadium seating area. If you do not have the GradPass when you arrive at the stadium, please see a staff member at the Candidate Check In table near the entrance to Paulson stadium. During the ceremony, you will present your GradPass to the scanner in front of the stage so your name can be read as you cross the stage. If you choose to use your cell phone to present your Grad Pass, make sure it is fully charged before you arrive.  You can save it to your phone (make sure to turn your brightness all the way up and do not enlarge the QR code.)  We strongly encourage you to bring a printed copy of your GradPass in case anything happens to your cell phone.

Guest and Family Information

Accessibility

Visitors with accessibility concerns are strongly encouraged to arrive early to the ceremony.  A designated handicap parking area is available on a first-come, first-served basis. A state handicap parking permit is required.

See map below.

If one or more of your guests require accessible seating, all guests in your party should enter Paulson Stadium through the Media Gate or Gate 13 and sit together in the accessible seating area, which is located along the South Concourse adjacent to sections A and G, and along the North Concourse in sections H through P, sections 101 through 113.  See map below. Reservations are not required and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Due to the design of Paulson Stadium, the walkway to the concourse is an inclined distance and all who experience mobility issues are strongly advised to be prepared with mobility devices (i.e. wheelchairs, scooters, walkers) and/or personal assistance. Wheelchairs will not be available at the venue. Please come with a wheelchair if one is needed.   

Additionally, guests may contact the Student Accessibility Resource Center for guest-related accessibility questions at 912-478-1566 or sarcboro@georgiasouthern.edu.

Guests Requiring American Sign Language

American Sign Language interpreting is available. Guests who need access and desire close proximity to the ASL interpreter may choose to sit in Section J of Paulson Stadium.  

Ticketing

Tickets for guests are not required at Paulson Stadium. Graduates will not need tickets. Their cap and gown is their ticket.

Guest Parking, Entrance and Seating

Relatives and friends may enter Paulson Stadium through Gates 1, 5, 7, 8, 12 or 13. Guests and candidates will not be allowed to hold or reserve seats for other guests. 

Gates/doors open 1 hour prior to the start of each ceremony. Please note that the ceremonies begin promptly at 10 a.m. with a processional. 

Please note that parking at Paulson Stadium is limited due to a construction project. Carpooling is encouraged, and shuttles are available at three locations around campus to transport guests to the stadium. 

Certain items are not permitted into the stadium including: Balloons, selfie sticks, noisemakers, outside food/drinks, posters.

Concessions

Concessions will be available for food and drink purchases. 

Featured Commencement Ceremony Speakers

Tuesday, May 9
10 a.m. Ceremony

Dr. Kathryn Lanier
Read Lanier’s Biography

Kathryn Lanier, Ph.D., is a highly accomplished science education leader and master communicator, currently serving as the Director of STEM Education Outreach at Southern Research in Birmingham, AL. Lanier’s position was the first of its kind—a job with no guidebook. Since 2017, Lanier and her team have built their program from the ground up — crafting learning experiences that have impacted over 225,000 students across Alabama.

As a STEM education advocate on Alabama’s political stage, Lanier serves on a number of state committees and councils that influence education policy. In 2019, she was appointed to Governor Kay Ivey’s Advisory Council for Excellence in STEM, where she chaired the STEM Exploration and Discovery Committee, a group charged with making recommendations to shape STEM education across Alabama. Lanier was also appointed to represent Alabama’s 6th congressional district on the Mathematics Course of Study Committee and Alabama’s 7th congressional district on the Science Course of Study Committee.

She serves as one of Governor Ivey’s at-large representatives on the Alabama STEM Council. Her work on the council resulted in the creation of Alabama STEM Explorers, an Emmy Award-nominated series of stimulating 30-minute television episodes that air on PBS. Lanier also hosted the show, drawing in an audience of over 100,000 viewers each week.

Lanier is an accomplished scientist, having earned her Ph.D. in chemistry from Georgia Tech, where she worked as part of the NASA Center for the Origin of Life. She received the Georgia Tech Presidential Fellowship, an award allocated to the top 5% of each doctoral class for all four years of her doctoral studies and was also a Molecular Biophysics and Biotechnology fellow for three years.

She graduated from Georgia Southern University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry. Throughout her time at Southern, she made her mark on campus as a SOAR Leader, Southern Ambassador, SGA Senator, SAACS President, and VP of Education for Alpha Omicron Pi. She was also selected as a Homecoming Court representative in 2009 and 2011 and was named Georgia Southern’s Panhellenic Woman of the Year in 2011.

Lanier has been honored with several awards, including being selected as one of Georgia Southern University’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2018 and named as part of Georgia Tech’s inaugural 40 Under 40 class in 2020. Her pioneering work in STEM education is a testament to her unwavering dedication to motivating the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Wednesday, May 10
10 a.m. Ceremony

H.E. Geraldine Byrne Nason
Read Nason’s Biography

A native of the town of Drogheda in County Louth, Ireland, Her Excellency Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason assumed her role as Ireland’s 19th Ambassador to the United States in August 2022. Immediately prior to that appointment, she was Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Ireland to the United Nations in New York (2017- 2022). Previously, she served as Ambassador of Ireland to France (2014-2017); Second Secretary General in the Department of the Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) (2011-2014); Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Ireland to the European Union (2005-2011); and Director of Ireland’s National Forum on Europe (2004-2005).

During her career, Ambassador Byrne Nason has served in Brussels, New York, Paris, Vienna and Helsinki. As Second Secretary-General in the Department of the Taoiseach (2011-2014), she was the highest-ranking female public servant in Ireland. During that period, she also was Secretary General of Ireland’s Economic Management Council.

Upon her arrival at the United Nations in New York, Ambassador Byrne Nason led Ireland’s successful campaign for a seat on the U.N. Security Council; and she led the New York Security Council team for the 2021-2022 term. A passionate advocate of women’s rights and empowerment, she served as Chair of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (C.S.W.) for 2018 and 2019. She also co-chaired high-level political negotiations on the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Nelson Mandela and on the “Samoa Pathway” for Small Island Developing States.

In 2014, Ambassador Byrne Nason was elected a Member of the Royal Irish Academy (M.R.I.A.), the highest academic honor bestowed in Ireland. Ambassador Byrne Nason holds an Honorary Doctorate of Law from Maynooth University as well as Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Literature from Saint Patrick’s College, National University of Ireland Maynooth. Ambassador Byrne Nason is married and has one son.

On her visit to Georgia Southern University, Ambassador Byrne Nason is accompanied by Ms. Caoimhe Ní Chonchúir, Consul General of Ireland to the Southeastern United States.

Thursday, May 11
10 a.m. Ceremony

Brandon Butler
Read Butler’s Biography

Brandon Butler is a seasoned marketing and creative leader, currently serving as the CEO of ButterATL, Atlanta’s premier culture channel that showcases the people, places, and experiences that make the city exceptional. Under Brandon’s guidance, ButterATL expanded its ownership group to include recording icons Antwan “Big Boi” Patton and Michael “Killer Mike” Render. As a result, Butter has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers and readers throughout the region.

Throughout his career, Brandon has been involved in notable campaigns for major brands like Sprite, Amazon, Major League Baseball, NBA, and Nike. In addition to his role at ButterATL, Brandon is a Partner and Chief Content Officer at Majority, AdWeek’s 2022 Breakthrough Agency of the Year, co-founded by Shaquille O’Neal. In this capacity, he utilizes content to boost internal and external brand awareness across digital and traditional media channels.

As an active participant in community and local initiatives, Brandon serves as an advisory council member for Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens’ “2023 Year of the Youth” Campaign. His commitment to community engagement showcases his passion for making a difference beyond his professional achievements.

Recognized as one of Adweek’s Creative 100 in 2021 and listed among Atlanta Magazine’s 500 Most Powerful Leaders for 2020, 2021, and 2022, Brandon has become a sought-after speaker and panelist within the region and beyond. He has shared the stage with prominent figures, leaders, and creatives.

Brandon holds a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from Georgia Southern University and an MBA from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

After the Ceremony

Ceremony Archives

You can view the archives of past commencement ceremonies on the archives section of the main commencement page.

View Ceremony Archives

Commemorative Items

Diploma frames and other commemorative items are available at the University Store in the Student Union on the Armstrong Campus. You may also purchase merchandise online at the University Store’s website. 

Order Commemorative Items
Order Class Ring

Diplomas/Transcripts

Diplomas will be mailed to the graduates at their diploma mailing address or their permanent home address. Please remember to update your diploma address in WINGS to an address that will be valid eight weeks after completing all degree requirements. If there is no diploma address, the diploma will be mailed to the current mailing address. Diplomas should be mailed six to eight weeks after graduation for students who have applied for graduation and completed all requirements.

When applying for employment, transcripts should be used instead of diplomas. Three weeks after graduation, if requirements are complete, graduates may request a transcript with the degree conferred.

Photography

A professional photographer from GradImages took a picture of you as you crossed the stage. A proof of this picture was emailed to you at your Georgia Southern email address and mailed to your home address. See the email and mailed items to purchase the photos directly from GradImages.

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