Spring 2026 University-Wide Commencement
May 16, 2026, 10-11:30 a.m.
The University-wide Commencement at Canvas Stadium brings together the entire graduating class to celebrate this milestone alongside peers, mentors, and the community.
Please visit the commencement website for full details about spring commencement ceremonies, including:
- Frequently Asked Questions.
- Graduate Checklists.
- Information for family and guests to prepare for spring commencement.
- Order your regalia and find details about regalia distribution events here.
Graduate School Recognition Ceremony Event Details
Recognition ceremonies complement University-wide Commencement by providing the traditional opportunity to hear your name called, walk across a stage, and receive your diploma cover. Doctoral candidates will be hooded by their advisors.
All doctoral and master’s students are welcome to participate in the Graduate School Recognition Ceremony; however, College of Business master’s candidates are included in COB ceremonies, and DVM candidates have a dedicated hooding ceremony hosted by the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. RSVP to recognition ceremonies on RamWeb.
Saturday, May 16
Location: Moby Arena
Doors open/student processional lineup: 12:30 p.m.
- Line up by 12:30 p.m. on the south concourse ramp at Moby Arena.
- Master’s graduates will head to their respective college lines on the south concourse.
- Doctoral graduates and hooding faculty will proceed to Bob Davis Hall via the south concourse of Moby Arena.
- Name Cards – ALL graduates must pick up their name card before commencement. Students must bring their printed name card to the recognition ceremony.
- Where: Graduate School, Student Services Building, Room 108
- When: Monday, May 11 , through Thursday, May 14, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday, May 15, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Students must wear regalia to participate in the ceremony.
- Clear Bag Policy is in effect at the Moby Arena
- Guest Seating – Guests may enter the north side of Moby Arena as early as 12:30 p.m.
- View the order of ceremony and list of graduates here.
- GradImages will be the on-site photographer. Please preregister to receive an email when graduation photos are available.
- Review frequently asked questions about the graduate school recognition ceremony here.
First Destination Survey
Please tell us about your post-graduation plans. Did you find a full-time job, enroll in another graduate program, or are you exploring other opportunities? We ask all graduating students to complete this survey before moving on. The survey takes less than ten minutes to complete, and all results are reported in aggregate to protect your confidentiality.
Doctoral Hooding
The Doctoral Candidate Hooding is a unique recognition of the achievement of students who have earned a doctoral degree.
Tradition at Colorado State calls for doctoral students to be hooded by their advisors at the commencement ceremonies. In some cases, this may be a member of the student’s committee or someone else who has been significant to the student during their graduate career.
Hood color varies by degree; the regalia provider has the full information, including eligible students and their degrees, and will ensure you receive the correct regalia. Each candidate will bring an appropriate hood to the ceremony as provided with the regalia purchase
Hooding ceremony instructions for faculty members can be found here.
How to apply to graduate
All graduate students must fill out the GS25 application form to begin the multi-step Graduate School process toward degree completion. Review the Graduate School’s deadlines for completing degree requirements to ensure you’re checking every box for commencement.