Winter Commencement

Congratulations to the Class of 2019!

Help us say congratulations to our graduates on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #MarshallGrad19!

Event Information

Marshall University will hold its annual winter commencement ceremony to honor July, August, and tentative December 2019 graduates on Saturday, December 14th at 10:00 a.m. at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena.  If you plan to attend the ceremony, please fill out the commencement participation response form.  If you attended Countdown to Commencement, you do not need to fill out the form again.

No tickets are needed for this event.  Doors open at 8 a.m. Graduates must report by 9 a.m. and are encouraged to arrive as early as possible to get through security.

Graduate Instructions

Degree candidates will be recognized individually prior the conferral of degrees, therefore the degree granting portion of the program will be at the end. Please help us maintain the formality of this event by remaining in your seats for the entire ceremony. Information and instructions for winter 2019 graduates.

Commencement Speaker

The guest speaker for Marshall University’s 2019 Winter Commencement teaches psychology and has interests in the psychology of learning as well as the psychology of popular culture.  Professor April Fugett is a graduate of Morehead State University and completed her doctoral degree in cognitive psychology at the University of Kansas.  She joined our faculty in 2008 and has served the university in a variety of academic and administrative positions. Professor Fugett was named the 2019 recipient of the Hedrick Outstanding Faculty Award here at Marshall.

Event Parking

Parking is available in the parking garage on Third Avenue across from the Big Sandy Superstore Arena. Parking in this garage is available on weekends at no charge. Parking is available in the Pullman Square garages for a fee.

Marshall will provide shuttle buses to transport graduates and guests from campus to the Arena. Graduates and guests are encouraged to park on University lots at the 6th Avenue Parking Facility, Performing Arts Center, football stadium or across from Smith Hall (Lot F). Shuttle service will begin at 7:30 a.m. for the 10 a.m. ceremony. After Commencement, buses will transport passengers back to campus.

Security Procedures

The Big Sandy Superstore Arena and Convention Center has implemented new security procedures including walk-through metal detectors for all events occurring in the building including Marshall University’s Commencement ceremonies. Graduates and guests should allow additional time to make it through security and find seats before the ceremony begins.

Prohibited items include: illegal drugs or substances, outside food and drink, knives, guns, pepper spray, lasers, glow sticks, fireworks, wallet chains, sharp spiked jewelry, selfie sticks, tripods and umbrellas. For a full list of prohibited items, please visit www.bigsandyarena.com.

Live Stream

The Commencement ceremonies will be streamed live on the Web for guests who are not able to attend. The link will be available at www.marshall.edu/it/livestream.

#MarshallGrad19 Photo Booths

Look for our free photo booths in the lobby of the Big Sandy Superstore Area! They provide the perfect backdrop for photos with your friends and family. Don’t forget to share your photos on social media using #MarshallGrad19.

Event Photos and Videos

University Communications will be taking candid photographs throughout the ceremony. Those photos will be available for free download through this site after the ceremony. View photos and video from the spring events below.

• Marshall University Class of 2019 Video
• Spring 2019 Commencement Photos
• Spring 2019 Commencement Video

Professional Graduation Photos

The professional photographer (Grad Images) will email proof information to graduates a few days after the ceremony. Purchase of photographs is entirely optional.

Diploma Covers

Diploma covers are presented to students at the Commencement ceremony. If you do not attend Commencement, you may stop by the Registrar’s Office to pick up your diploma cover. The office is located in Old Main 106A and open Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Diploma covers for Summer 2019 and December 2019 graduates will be available for pick up after January 2, 2020. Diploma covers cannot be mailed.

Questions

For questions regarding Commencement, please contact commencement@marshall.edu or 304-696-6410.