Candidates for all graduate degrees (Masters & Doctoral) will graduate on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at the Murphy Fine Arts Center. Candidates and guests are asked to arrive by 8:30 am.
Spring Ceremony for the Graduate School
Guest Admit Tickets Required
Guests attending the Graduate School Commencement Exercises are required to have Guest Admit Tickets. Each graduate student who is certified for graduation will be given Guest Admit Tickets to distribute to their guests (please see Guest Admit Tickets page for details). Guest must present those Guest Admit Tickets for scanning in order to be admitted to Gilliam Concert Hall for the exercises. Ticket scanning provides the University with quick and accurate attendance figures and controls fraudulent, duplicate, or invalid tickets from entering the Concert Hall.
These Guest Admit Tickets are valid ONLY for the Graduate School Commencement Exercise on that date.
They are NOT valid for the Undergraduate Commencement Exercises.
Spring Schedule
8:30 a.m. Students will assemble in the Academic Quad in front of Holmes Hall and the Welcome Bridge. They will, with the assistance of marshals, assemble by college/school. Please look for the signs for your school/college. The Ceremony usually lasts from 2-3 hours.
Determining Eligibility
Candidates completing degree requirements between _______ and _______ are invited to participate in Spring Commencement. Candidates for all master’s, doctorate, should attend the graduate ceremony. Candidates for all associate and bachelor’s degrees should attend the undergraduate ceremony.
Candidates who have completed degree requirements between _______ and _______ are invited to participate in the Winter Commencement ceremony.
Seating
Guest Seating
Guest seating is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Ushers will be stationed throughout the building to direct all guests to the best possible seats.
Special seating is available for guests in wheelchairs and with limited mobility. Check ADA accommodations to learn more.
ORDER OF THE CEREMONY
The Processional
Will leave the assembly locations and will process into Hughes Memorial Stadium.
Guests should be in their seats by 8:30 am as access to certain areas will be restricted after this time until the processional has concluded.
Graduates should remain standing upon reaching their seats.
Welcome from the President
Invocation
Hymn – “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing“
Welcome from the Board of Regents
Introduction of Commencement Speaker
Commencement Address
Musical Selection
Conferring of Honors
Honorary Degree Recipients
Presentation of Special Awards
Recognition of Commissioned Officers
Conferring of Degrees in Course
Doctorate and Master’s Degree Recipients
The Provost will ask the graduates to rise and will present them to the President. When all colleges have been presented and are standing, the President will confer the degrees.
Awarding of Diplomas
Graduates will rise by rows and move to the platform as directed by the marshals.
Salute of the Graduates
Induction into the Morgan State Alumni Association
Musical Selection
Singing of the Alma Mater
Graduates and guests will be led in the singing of the alma mater.
Benediction
Recessional
Graduates should remain seated until the marshals signal their rows to rise and join the recessional line. The lines will move out after the faculty.
As a courtesy to all those attending commencement, graduates and guests are asked to refrain from using horns and other noisemakers during the ceremony.
Commencement Day Reminders
for Graduate School Candidates
- Dress for the weather. You may want to bring an umbrella in case of rain if we remain outdoors.
- Do not bring briefcases or any other personal items as they cannot be stored during Commencement.
- Wear business or business-casual attire with comfortable—though formal—footwear.
- Wait until you arrive at the lineup to put on your cap and gown.
- All degree candidates in attendance are expected to stay for the entire ceremony.
- No alcoholic beverages are permitted at Commencement.