Graduation Application Deadlines
- Fall Graduation: October 31
- Spring Graduation: February 28
- Summer Graduation: July 15
Complete your application for graduation on the USU Graduation Webpage.
College Convocation and Hooding Ceremonies
Date: Thursday, April 30, 2026
Time: 5:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Location: Dee Glen Smith Spectrum
Graduate Degrees
- Check-In: 4:15 pm — Graduate students check in and lineup at the Wayne Estes Center.
- Procession Begins: 4:45 pm — Students will begin from the Wayne Estes Center and walk to the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.
- Ceremony Begins: 5:00 pm — The awarding of degrees and hooding ceremony will begin once participating students and faculty have been seated.
Undergraduate Degrees
- Check-In: 6:15 pm — QANR students check in and lineup at the Wayne Estes Center.
- Procession Begins: 6:45 pm — Students will begin from the Wayne Estes Center and walk to the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.
- Ceremony Begins: 7:00 pm — The awarding of degrees will begin once participating students and faculty have been seated.
Graduates will need to arrive early to check in at the Wayne Estes Center, the building just to the west of the Spectrum to line up for the processional. At the QANR Convocation, you will walk across the stage, hear your name read, receive your diploma cover, and have a professional photo taken. Graduation photos, programs, and video will be available a short time after the ceremony. Family and friends are encouraged to attend.
USU Commencement
Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Time: 7:00 - 8:15 pm
Location: Dee Glen Smith Spectrum
- Assemble: 5:45 pm — All graduating students and faculty will meet on the University Quad
- Procession Begins: 6:15 pm — Students and faculty will start walking from the University Quad to the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum
- Ceremony Begins: 7:00 pm — The commencement ceremony will begin in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum
This year’s speaker, Bobbie Wagner, is expected to draw a large audience. Please RSVP to help us reserve appropriate student seating, and encourage guests to arrive early for the best seats.
Graduation Regalia and USU Grad Fair
All graduates must wear authorized commencement regalia (cap and gown) during their graduation ceremony.
Regalia may be purchased in person or online from the USU Campus Store where Regalia is 25% off during USU Grad Fair:
- In Person, March 16-17, 8 AM - 6 PM. Jostens will be in store to assist with gown sizing and regalia questions
- Online, beginning March 18
* Latin Honor Cords will also be distributed to qualified bachelor’s degree students at the Grad Fair or at the Registrar's office
Honor Cord designations are earned by completing a minimum of 40 USU credits and are based solely on the USU GPA as follows:
- Summa Cum Laude: 3.95 to 4.00 GPA - Gold cord
- Magna Cum Laude: 3.80 to 3.94 GPA - Silver cord
- Cum Laude: 3.50 to 3.79 GPA - Navy Blue cord
Master’s and PhD students do not receive honor cords.
College medallions will also be given out at the Grad Fair, on the quad prior to USU Commencement and at the line-up for College Convocation at the Wayne Estes Center.
Undergraduate candidates wear a maize tassel representing the S.J. & Jessie E Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Graduate candidates carry their Master’s & Doctoral hoods and will be hooded during the college ceremony.
For USU Statewide Campus ceremonies, contact your campus coordinator for details.
Questions? Contact the USU Campus Store at 435-797-3950
Event Parking & Shuttle
Parking for Convocation and Commencement is available near the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. Please download the parking map below for specific directions. Buses will shuttle guests along designated routes to and from graduation venues.
Spectrum Parking & Shuttle MapIce Cream Social
Come celebrate with us as we honor you at the ice cream social. This is a great chance to say goodbye to your favorite professors and friends, while enjoying some Aggie Ice Cream.
- Thursday, April 30, prior to the college convocation from 1 - 3:00 p.m.
- Agricultural Sciences (AGRS) Building patio. Friends and family welcome.
Statewide Ceremonies
If you plan to attend a ceremony at a Statewide Campus, please reach out to the campus coordinator for information on ceremony information, regalia, and other details or visit the USU Statewide Campuses Graduation Ceremonies webpage.
FAQs
Do I/my guests need tickets to attend Commencement or Convocation?
No, tickets are not required.
Who can walk?
The College Convocation is to celebrate students who graduated fall 2025, who will graduate spring or summer 2026. Students who will graduate later will be invited to participate in next year's spring Convocation
How do I get a diploma cover if I am unable to attend Convocation?
You will need to either go to the Registrar’s office in person or email records@usu.edu and request that a cover be mailed to you.
Is this a clear bag event?
Yes, a clear bag policy will be in effect for all Convocation and Commencement events. Read more about what you can bring into the ceremonies at www.usu.edu/commencement/family-guests.
Do we need to line up alphabetically?
No, Graduate degree candidates line up by department. Undergraduate degree candidates line up with their department by program.
I’m in a dual major/program, which major/program do I line up with?
It’s completely up to you which program you line up with.
My spouse/friend is a different major/program, can we still sit/line up together?
No, please line up with your program by department.
Can I walk in another college's ceremony?
Sometimes spouses or siblings, etc. will choose to walk together in a ceremony other than the one for their own college. If this is the case for you or a loved one, please reach out to the representative for your college and the representative for the college whose ceremony you plan to join. You can find a list of representatives at the bottom of the USU Commencement page.
How do I obtain those photos?
Within a week following the ceremony, you can retrieve photos, programs, and video from USU's commencement site.
There wasn’t a name card for me. What do I do?
Fill out a blank name card with your name and degree (examples: Bachelor of Environmental Planning, Master of Dietetics Administration, Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Science) and line up with your program.
Will my parents/guests be able to take pictures?
They may take pictures from their seats, but they will not be able to walk onto the floor. We have professional photographers who will capture key moments free of charge. You can retrieve these photos from USU's commencement site about a week after the ceremony.
Where do I leave my purse or backpack during the Convocation?
Please take and carry all personal items with you into the event venue (or leave them at home). Staging areas are not secured during the ceremony, and you will not be returning to the staging area afterwards.
I don’t know which department to line up with, what do I do?
Your program is listed on the name card you will receive at the college line up.
I don't know my major/department, what do I do?
Your major is listed on your name card.
Where/when is the ice cream social and who can come?
All graduates and their guests are invited to the Ice Cream Social to be held prior to the Convocation ceremony on April 30 from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm. It will be held on the Agricultural Sciences (AGRS) building patio.
Where should I/my guests park?
Please refer to USU's Commencement parking/shuttle map.
Other USU Commencement questions? Please first visit the USU Commencement site.
Accessibility
For information regarding ASL interpreting, accessible parking, and wheelchair access, please contact the Disability Resource Center at (435) 797-2444 or by emailing drc@usu.edu.
Questions?
If you have other questions, please email kalyn.shorthill@usu.edu or lisa.hunsaker@usu.edu