10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Mandatory Commencement Walkthrough
Corbin J. Robertson Center, Walzel Courts
Congratulations, seniors! These pages provide important information that you’ll need to navigate your senior year on the way to Commencement. We encourage you to visit this resource often to stay up to date with the latest news, events, and information leading up to graduation.
Commencement
We are excited to share that for the second year in a row, Commencement will be an outdoor ceremony on campus. This year’s Commencement will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025 on the Roy H. Cullen Academic Mall, allowing graduating seniors to celebrate their achievements in the heart of our picturesque campus.
Save the Date
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Class of 2025 Commencement Convocation
9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
No tickets required to attend.*
Roy H. Cullen Academic Mall
Southwestern University
1001 E. University Ave.
Georgetown, TX 78626
*In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved indoors and seating will be limited.
Regalia, Announcements, Photography, and Class Rings
Regalia
All graduates must wear the University-approved regalia (cap, tassel, and gown) to participate in Commencement Convocation. Students are required to rent academic regalia through the SU Bookstore. No borrowed regalia or substitutions are allowed.
Gown rental for Commencement 2025 will begin in early spring
A link to order regalia will be provided once it is available.
Academic regalia distribution will take place in the Walzel Courts of the Corbin J. Robertson Center on Friday, May 9, 2025. Rented robes must be returned to Bishop’s Lounge after Commencement. The cap and tassel are yours to keep.
Graduation Cords
Each individual academic department is responsible for issuing cords. Please reach out to your academic department to inquire about cords.
Announcements
Custom commencement announcements are available at Jostens.
Photography
Flash Photography photographs each graduate at Commencement Convocation and provides free proofs via mail within two weeks of the ceremony. Southwestern will provide the photographer with your home and/or e-mail address unless otherwise notified. Click here for more information.
Class Rings
Class rings can be ordered by contacting Balfour at 866.225.3687 or San Jose Jewelers at 254.666.5455.
San Jose Jewelers will be in the McCombs Campus Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, October 25 and Friday, November 1.
Balfour will be in the McCombs Campus Center from 10:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 23 and Thursday, October 24.
The Southwestern Ring Ceremony will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2025. If you have any questions, please call the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations at 512.863.1410.
Schedule
Friday, May 9, 2025
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Graduate Robe Distribution
Corbin J. Robertson Center, Walzel Courts
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Multicultural Recognition Ceremony
Charles and Elizabeth Prothro Center for Lifelong Learning, Atrium
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Lavender Graduation
Charles and Elizabeth Prothro Center for Lifelong Learning, Atrium
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Phi Beta Kappa Induction Ceremony
McCombs Campus Center, McCombs Ballrooms
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Baccalaureate Worship Service
Lois Perkins Chapel
Saturday, May 10, 2025
8:00 a.m.
Graduate Check-In
Corbin J. Robertson Center, Walzel Courts
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Commencement Convocation
Roy H. Cullen Academic Mall
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Robe Return
Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center, Bishops Lounge
Directions
Getting to Southwestern University
-
From Interstate Highway 35
Exit 261 (Georgetown). Follow Texas Highway 29 east into Georgetown, approximately 1.5 miles. Turn left at the Maple Street stoplight, the first street after the train tracks. -
From State Highway 130 (Tollway)
Exit 415 (Georgetown). Follow Texas Highway 29 west into Georgetown, approximately 2.2 miles. Turn right at Southwestern Blvd.
Parking
Please note that campus parking is limited. Carpooling is recommended.
Additional Maps
Special Needs
Parking
We are pleased to offer special needs parking on a first-come, first-served basis in the Finch Plaza Parking Lot, located north of the Chapel. Golf carts will be available around campus to assist those who park further away. This service will be available from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, May 10.
Seating
Please note that all seating will be on the same level, so there is no designated special needs seating.
Accessibility Map
If you have additional questions concerning special needs for Commencement Convocation, please contact sucommunications@southwestern.edu.