Commencement 2026
May 14
Congratulations Class of 2026!
Schedule of Events
The Details
RSVP & Academic Attire
Step 1: RSVP to Commencement
- Required for all graduates (even if not attending).
- RSVP opens March 5. Deadline: April 1.
- Check your GCU email for instructions from noreply@tassel.com.
- Submit your RSVP and secure tickets.
Step 2: Order Your Cap & Gown
- Use the Cap and Gown 2026 link or visit Student Links (March 5–April 1).
- Deadline: April 1, 2026.
- Late orders: Email commencement@georgian.edu ($25 fee; attire may arrive day-of).
Step 3: Pick Up Attire
- Strongly recommended: May 7 during Celebration of Success (McAuley Courtyard & North Dining Room, 1:00 PM–5:30 PM).
- Alternate dates:
- May 8, 2026 – Jeffries Hall 131 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- May 11, 2026 – Jeffries Hall 131 | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Academic Attire Guidelines
- Wear: Black gown, colored hood, cap with tassel.
- Bachelor’s: Tassel on the right.
- ABSN, Master’s/Doctoral: Tassel on the left.
- Honor cords: Distributed by departments/honor societies.
- Footwear: Wear comfortable shoes — the procession walks to the Apollo Fountain, past Maria Hall and the Casino, and into the Wellness Center.
- Prohibited: Offensive decorations, purses, or personal items (leave with guests).
- GCU staff will assist with your academic hood during lineup.
- Tip: Press your gown before May 14 — gowns will be wrinkled!
Special Instructions
- Bring a valid GCU ID or state-issued ID to pick up attire.
- GCU@Brookdale students: Pick up attire and packets at the Lakewood campus.
Commencement Tickets
- Undergraduates: 4 tickets per graduate.
- Graduate/Doctoral Students (including ABSN): 6 tickets per graduate.
- Tickets: Unique QR codes emailed after RSVP (mobile or printed). Each guest must have their own ticket — QR codes scan once.
- Extra guests: Welcome to view via simulcast in the Wellness Center Dance Studio, Gavan Lounge, and Library.
- Waitlist: Request extra tickets via Tassel when you RSVP (not guaranteed).
Note: To comply with fire code, only the allotted number of guests will be permitted into the Arena. Guests who have difficulty climbing bleacher stairs or sitting on bleacher seats are encouraged to view the ceremony in a simulcast location.
Commencement Lineup
- Report to Jeffries Hall in full academic attire ON TIME:
- Undergraduates: 11:30 AM
- Graduate/ABSN: 4:30 PM
- Lineup assignments will be provided on-site.
- Late arrivals: Seated after the National Anthem & Invocation.
Professional Photos at the Event
Georgian Court University’s marketing team, PSC (Princeton Strategic Communications), will provide ceremony photography. Photos will be posted on social media and the GCU webpage in the days following the ceremony.
Name Pronunciation & Time Off Requests
- If mispronunciation of your name is a frequent issue, fill out the form on Tassel when you RSVP to ensure correct pronunciation.
- Graduates needing documentation for time off should request a letter from the Office of Conferences and Special Events at 732-987-2263 or commencement@georgian.edu by May 1.
Academic Eligibility
Georgian Court University holds its Commencement Ceremony each May for:
- May graduates of the current year.
- Graduates from the preceding August, December, and February.
Graduation Requirements: To participate, students must have completed all degree requirements.
Graduation Application: To have your degree conferred and receive a diploma, you must apply for a graduation audit. A graduation application is required even if you do not plan to participate in Commencement.
Exceptions for Commencement 2026 Participation: Undergraduate and Graduate students may request to participate without meeting all degree requirements if they:
- Lack no more than 7 credits required for degree completion, OR
- Have two majors (or a major and a minor) and:
- Lack no more than 7 credits for their first major, AND
- Have progressed far enough in their second major/minor to reasonably expect graduation in August or December 2026.
Steps to Request an Exception:
- Submit a graduation application for the expected future graduation term.
- Submit the Request to Participate in Commencement 2026 Without Having Met Degree Requirements Form.
- Deadline: Forms must be received by the Office of the Registrar by March 31, 2026 — late submissions will not be processed.
Student Accounts & Diplomas
- Balances: Contact the Office of Student Accounts at 732-987-2295 to arrange an approved payment plan by May 1 to participate. Payment plans are available.
- Diplomas: Mailed to your home address (as listed in Self-Service) within 6–8 weeks post-Commencement. Please verify your address in Self-Service.
- Name Changes: If you wish your name to appear differently on your diploma, submit a Change of Information Form and any required documents to the Office of the Registrar by May 1. This includes the addition of a middle name.
Degree Honors (Undergraduates Only)
Degree honors are awarded for undergraduates based on your cumulative grade point average earned at GCU. As stated in the university academic catalog, at least 60 credits must be earned at GCU to be eligible for degree honors. Degree honors will appear on your undergraduate diploma and transcript. The required minimum GPAs are as follows (GPAs are not rounded):
- Summa cum laude: 3.9
- Magna cum laude: 3.75
- Cum laude: 3.6
For students participating in the May Commencement ceremony who did not graduate prior to May, degree honors that are read at the Commencement ceremony and printed in the Commencement ceremony program are preliminary and unofficial, and will be determined by whether students have met the criteria based on their record prior to the spring semester of that year’s Commencement ceremony. Degree honors posted to the official transcript will be based on credits and grades earned at the time of graduation.
Safety & Logistics
Security & Prohibited Items
- Screening: Conducted by GCU Safety and Lakewood Police.
- Not allowed: Balloons, air horns, fireworks, canned strings, drones, weapons of any kind, or emotional support/therapy animals. Confiscated items or animals will need to be returned to vehicles.
- Trained and certified working service dogs are always welcome.
Parking & Directions
- Carpool: Max 2 cars per graduate. Once lots are full, vehicles must park on the street.
- Entry to campus halts when the Academic Procession begins. Plan your arrival accordingly.
- Road closure: Lakewood Ave. designated one-way southbound beginning at 7:30 AM. No access to Main Entrance from North Lake Drive.
- Note: GCU’s entrance is now at 900 Lakewood Avenue (the 503 Ninth Street entrance is closed).
- Campus map | GPS directions to main entrance
Special Needs
- Request accommodations via Tassel when RSVPing.
- Guests with special needs will be seated in an open area in the rear of the arena. Due to limited space, only special needs guests will be in this area.
Photos & Refreshments
Apollo Fountain photo times:
- May 7: 1:00 PM – 9:30 PM (Celebration of Success & Champagne Toast)
- May 11: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Doctoral Reception)
- May 13: 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Nurses Pinning Ceremony)
- May 14: 9:30 AM – 7:30 PM (Commencement Day)
- Flowers: Available for purchase outside the venue (Office of Alumni Relations).
- Bookstore: Open for GCU attire purchases on Commencement Day.
- Café: Open 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM in Gavan Lounge.
Key Deadlines & Contacts
- March 5: Cap & gown ordering and RSVP opens.
- April 1: RSVP & attire order deadline (orders after this date incur a $25 late fee).
- March 31: Request to Participate Form due (Office of the Registrar).
- May 1: Balance clearance, diploma name/address updates.
- May 7: Celebration of Success & Champagne Toast — strongly recommended attire pick-up day.
- May 14: Commencement Ceremonies.
Hotels (ask for GCU corporate rate — not available for online reservations):
- Clarion Hotel & Conference Center Toms River – 8.7 miles from GCU | 815 Route 37W, Toms River | 732-703-6034
- Hilton Garden Inn – 6.8 miles from GCU | 1885 Route 70, Lakewood | 732-262-5232
Contact:
- General Questions: commencement@georgian.edu | 732-987-2263
- Student Accounts: 732-987-2295