Due to limited seating inside the AAC, entrance for attendees will be on a first-come, first-served basis. However, overflow crowds will be directed to the Rose E. McCoy Auditorium.
No tickets are being distributed, so guests are urged to arrive early.
The Commencement Speaker is Actress and JSU alum Tommie “Tonea” Stewart of “In The Heat of The Night” fame.
Information for Graduate Students
Jackson State University’s Fall Combined Commencement Ceremony will be held on Friday, December 6, 2019 at 10:00 A.M., in the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center. All graduating students should plan to arrive by 8:30 A.M., in order to line up to march into the facility under the leadership of the Faculty and Student Marshals.
Assembly and Seating of Graduating Students
All graduates should plan to arrive at least an hour and a half prior to the start of the commencement program. Graduates will assemble at their designated areas and will march in during the processional at the beginning of the ceremony. All graduates, faculty and administration will march out during the recessional, as the audience remains seated.
Commencement Rehearsals
The rehearsal for the Fall Combined Ceremony will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2019 at the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center and will begin promptly at 9:00 A.M. All diploma recipients are urged to attend, along with both Faculty and Student Marshals, as well as all College Standard Bearers.
The Exemplary Doctoral Scholars Reception
The Fall 2019 Exemplary Doctoral Scholars Reception will take place on Thursday, December 5, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at the Mississippi e-Center Convention Hall. For more information please contact the Division of Graduate Studies at (601) 979-2455.
Academic Regalia Requirements
All graduating students are required to wear academic regalia during the commencement ceremony. Students may decorate their graduation caps as long as it is done in a tasteful and respectful way. Students should contact personnel in the Jackson State University Bookstore to order their academic regalia. The deadline for purchasing a cap and gown is October 25, 2019 and the deadline for a rental is November 15, 2019. Regalia may be rented at https://gradsupply.com/jsu/. Personalized graduation invitations and other regalia may be ordered at www.herffjones.com/college. The JSU Bookstore is located on the first floor of the JSU Student Center. The telephone number is (601) 979-2021. ALL graduates, faculty and staff participating in the Commencement Exercises should be measured for regalia rentals.
Dress, Decorum and Graduation Etiquette
Graduating students are requested to wear conservative and program appropriate clothing under their academic regalia. Please remind your friends and family to try to keep their celebratory outbursts to a minimum, as this can prevent the audience from hearing the next student’s name when it is called. We will have plenty of time to celebrate in a grand fashion upon the conclusion of the commencement exercises. Finally, we are requiring all graduating students to remain on the floor for the entire ceremony, except for medical emergencies and restroom breaks. Leaving during the ceremony can be very disruptive to the panel, audience and the other remaining graduating students.
The Pick-up and Return of Academic Regalia
Graduating students will be able to pick up their academic regalia on Tuesday December 3rd until Thursday December 5, 2019, on the 2nd Floor of the New Student Center’s Meditation Room from 9:00 A.M. until 4:30 P.M. Please be reminded that academic regalia must be returned immediately following the commencement ceremonies. A drop-off station will be located at both of the commencement venues. A Penske rental van will be located right outside of the entrance gate at the Veteran’s Memorial Stadium, and at the back of the parking lot behind the Lee E. Williams Athletic and Assembly Center (AAC) (near the large Billboard Sign) following both Commencement Ceremonies for students to return their graduation gowns.
Graduating Students Requiring Accommodations Due to a Disability or Impairment
Graduating students requiring accommodations due to a disability or a special need should notify Mr. Aaron Richardson, by telephone at (601) 979-3704 or via e-mail at aaron.l.richardson@jsums.edu. American Sign Language interpreters will be available to provide services throughout the commencement exercises. Seating will also be available for guests who require special accommodations. One family member or friend may accompany guests seated in this designated area. As seating in this area is limited (and provided on a first come, first serve basis), individuals with special needs who require seating in this area should plan to arrive at least an hour and a half early. Guests who require and use specialized mobility equipment are encouraged to bring that equipment with them to the ceremony.
First Aid Station
A first aid station will be located at a designated area inside of the Veteran’s Memorial Stadium, as well as the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center.
Commencement Seating for Guests
Commencement seating for the Fall Combined Ceremony will begin at 8:00 A.M., at the AAC on Friday, December 6, 2019. All graduates should inform their family, friends and guests of the scheduled seating times.
Commencement Parking
The Jackson State University Campus Police Department will be in charge of guest parking at the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center. The JSU Campus Police will direct guests in the various parking lots. Wheelchair access will be available at both of the commencement venues.
Commencement Ceremony Webcast
Family members and friends who are unable to attend the Commencement Ceremonies may view the ceremonies live over the Internet. Coverage will begin at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, December 6, 2019 for the Fall Combined Commencement Ceremony. Please visit www.jsums.edu to log onto the webcast.
Graduate Photographs
Photographs of each graduate will be taken by Candid Campus Photography as he/she crosses the stage. Graduation proof pictures will be sent to each graduate after the ceremony, with the option to purchase packages.
Mailed Diplomas
Diplomas will be mailed to students by the Registrar and Records office approximately four to five weeks following the Commencement Ceremonies. Diplomas will be shipped via the United States Postal Service. Students should make sure that the diploma mailing address that they provided on their graduation application is accurate prior to the time that the diploma will be shipped. For more information, please contact the Registrar and Records office at (601) 979-2732.
Contact Us
Graduating students may continue to refer to this website to view Commencement information when necessary. If students have questions or need additional information regarding the Commencement Ceremony, they should contact Dr. Dion Porter, Chair, of the University Commencement Committee at (601) 979-3364, Ms. Deborah Crenshaw at (601) 979-2732 or Mr. Alfred Jackson at (601) 979-2809.