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Office of General Studies
The University of Mississippi

Are you ready for May 2025 commencement?

This year’s commencement activities will be held on Saturday, May 10th. December 2024 graduates are invited to join in May commencement along with applicants for May and August 2025 graduation.

May and August graduates should complete the graduation application process (outlined below) to have their degree conferred, even if they do not plan to participate in the ceremony.

Commencement Overview

There are two ceremonies in which Multi-Disciplinary Studies and University Studies graduates are invited to participate:

Campus-Wide Ceremony: Morning Convocation

  • Date and Time: Saturday, May 10, at 9:00 a.m.
  • Location: The Grove (Sandy and John Black Pavilion in case of inclement weather).
  • Seating: No assigned seating for graduates.

General Studies Commencement Ceremony

This ceremony includes graduates of both of the degree programs administered by the Office of General Studies—the Bachelor of Multi-Disciplinary Studies and the Bachelor of University Studies.

  • Date and Time: Saturday, May 10th, at 11:00 a.m.
  • Location: Gertrude Castellow Ford Center for the Performing Arts
  • Details: Individual names will be called, and you will cross the stage to receive your diploma cover and have a photo taken with the Dean of General Studies.

Before Graduation

Graduation Application Process

December 2024 graduates do not need to submit any additional paperwork but should complete the UM Commencement checklist to participate.

If you plan to complete your degree requirements to graduate in May or August 2025, you must complete the application process. You must apply for graduation to have your degree conferred, even if you do not plan to attend the commencement ceremony.

    • BUS students who have completed all coursework for their degree: We have emailed you a combined Intent to Graduate and Diploma Application form. Please submit it to us, and we will submit it to the Office of the Registrar on your behalf.
    • BMDS and BUS students with remaining coursework: To be included in May 2025 commencement, you must submit the following two forms:
      • Intent to Graduate: You must be logged in with your go.olemiss.edu email address to access the form. If you submitted an Intent to Graduate form for a previous semester but did not complete your degree, you must submit a new form to the Office of General Studies.
      • Online Diploma application: Log into MyOleMiss. Under the “Student” tab, select the “Academics” box. Complete the “Diploma Application” listed under the links. If you have already completed the diploma application, you will not be able to open the application again.
      • If you are not sure whether you completed both of these applications, please contact our office at generalstudies@olemiss.edu  or 662-915-3787.

Commencement Checklist

Find the checklist for graduates on the UM website.

Cap and Gown Orders

Graduation regalia must be ordered through Grad Supply. For all ordering information and deadlines, see the Grad Supply UM commencement website.

Guest Tickets

  • Allocation:  Up to six guest tickets per graduate. Children ages 3 and above must have a ticket. Infants and small children seated on an adult’s lap do not need a ticket.
  • Unclaimed tickets:  The deadline for obtaining tickets was April 15th.  Any unclaimed tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. If you would like to request additional tickets, email the UM Box Office at umbo@olemiss.edu or contact by phone at (662) 915-7411.
  • To pick up tickets in person:  Visit the UM Box Office on the first floor of the Ford Center between 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • If you prefer to receive tickets via email
    You must print emailed tickets and distribute them to your guests. Guests without a printed ticket in hand will not be admitted to the ceremony.

Reader Cards & Honor Cords

Reader Cards:  We do not read names from a program, and seating does not follow a set order. Instead, each student will receive a printed reader card with information that will be announced when they cross the stage.

Reader cards include: your name, along with any minors (for BMDS degrees), emphasis areas (for BUS degrees), and Latin honors.

You must hand this card to the reader at the podium. Be sure to bring it with you to the podium, and do not leave it in your seat.

Honor Cords:  Multi-Disciplinary Studies students who meet the university requirements for Latin Honors (Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, or Summa Cum Laude) will see these honors listed under their name on their reader card.

If you are receiving Latin Honors, you can pick up a gold honor cord when you collect your reader card. The honor cord is yours to keep.

The UM requirements for honors are:

  • At least 60 hours completed from the University of Mississippi
  • A minimum UM and overall GPA (we are required to use the lower of the two) of:
    • 3.5 for Cum Laude
    • 3.75 for Magna Cum Laude
    • 3.9 for Summa Cum Laude

Reader Card and Honor Cord Pick-Up: Reader cards and Latin honors cords will be available at the check-in tables at the Ford Center on commencement day.

Early Pick-Up Option:  You can also pick up your reader card early from May 7-9 on the Oxford campus at the Office of General Studies at the Jackson Avenue Center – Central, Suite K.

Graduation Day Details

General Studies Ceremony

May 10 at 11:00 a.m. Gertrude Castellow Ford Center for the Performing Arts

Parking

  • The lots surrounding the Ford Center are recommended for ADA and all guest parking.

Arrivals & Check-In

  • Arrive between: 10:00 a.m. (earliest) and 10:30 a.m. (latest).
  • Check-in: Begins at 10:00 a.m. All grads must check-in by 10:45 a.m.
  • Check-in Location
    • Graduates will go backstage to check in. Enter the Ford Center through the loading dock at the rear of the building. This entrance has 5 steps and no ramp.
    • If you need an alternate entrance, use the main doors at the drop-off circle, and a staff member will guide you to the hallway leading to the loading dock check-in.
  • Check-in Tables
    • When you enter the building, you’ll find the check-in table with reader cards and honor cords if you did not pick them up earlier.
    • You must check in at one of these tables so we can ensure you have your reader card and direct you to the correct seating area for your degree program.
    • If you forgot your reader card, we will have an extra set of cards here.

Seating

After you check in, staff will seat you according to your degree program (Multi-Disciplinary Studies students together and University Studies students together), but there is no specific order.

All graduates will be seated on stage for the ceremony, and there is no student processional.

During the Ceremony

  • Stand when “Pomp and Circumstance” begins to play. Dean Ammeter will seat you when he reaches the podium.
  • For the degree presentation, UM staff will guide you row by row to the front of the stage.
  • When you reach the podium, hand your reader card to the reader. If your name is often mispronounced, you may quietly inform the reader of the correct pronunciation when you give them your card.
  • As your name and any honors are announced, walk across the stage to receive your diploma cover from Dean Ammeter. A photographer will take your picture with Dean Ammeter and another photo in front of a backdrop before you return to your seat.
  • Please return to your seat to allow other graduates to receive their diplomas. The program typically does not last longer than an hour.
  • After the ceremony, exit the building the same way you entered, and meet your family out front.

After Graduation

Diploma Mailing: At commencement, you will receive a diploma cover. Your actual diploma will be mailed to you.

  • December Graduates: Diplomas will have already been mailed to you.
  • May Graduates: Diplomas typically mailed by mid-July after grades are finalized. (Grades for May graduates are not available until aftercommencement. Our office will then have 30 days to verify final grades and finalize the list of students who earned their degrees by the end of spring semester.)
  • August Graduates: Diplomas typically received by mid-October (after August Intersession grades are finalized and verified).

More Information

  • ADA Accommodations: Graduates or guests needing ADA accommodations should contact the UM Box Office by phone at (662)915-7411 or by email at umbo@olemiss.edu.
  • UM Commencement Updates: Check the UM Commencement website for updates on parking maps, ADA accommodations, weather changes, etc.
  • Contact Information: generalstudies@olemiss.edu
  • 662-915-3787