Important Commencement & Convocation Information for Undergraduate Students
All students who graduated in December 2015 or who will be graduating May 2016 or August 2016 are eligible to participate in S-CAR Convocation and Mason Commencement ceremonies. Click here to learn more about the difference in Convocation and Commencement. Visit the Commencement FAQs page to learn more about the difference in Convocation and Commencement
S-CAR Convocation
Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 6:30 pm
Center for the Arts, Fairfax Campus
George Mason University Commencement
Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 10:00am
Patriot Center, Fairfax Campus, which opens for guests at 9 a.m.
The Office of Events Management will mail ceremony information to graduates in late February 2016. Questions about May 2016 commencement and convocations (tickets, cap and gown, ceremony dates, etc.) can be answered by visiting the Mason Commencement website.
2016 Graduation Fair
March 1 thru 3, 11:00 a.m. to 7 p.m., Johnson Center Atrium, Fairfax Campus
This is an opportunity to purchase your cap and gown, pick up your Commencement tickets and purchase diploma covers/announcements all at the same time
Gowns for Grads
Can't afford to purchase a gown for convocation or commencement? Mason has a Gowns for Grads program where students can borrow a gown for the ceremony.
1. Please fill out the Convocation Commemorative Program form no later than Monday, April 4, 2016 if you would like your information included in the 2016 S-CAR Convocation Commemorative Program. Any information submitted after this date will not be included in the program. You will need the following to complete the form:
- Full name as you would like for it to appear in the Commemorative Program
- Mason G Number
- Email Addresses (Mason email and Non-Mason email)
- Thank you/dedication statement to friends and family (optional and must be no longer than 200 characters)
- CONF 490 Final Project / Paper Title
2. Tickets for Commencement: Seating at Commencement is limited, and guest tickets are required. All graduates will be permitted a maximum of six (6) guest tickets. Graduating students do not need a ticket. All tickets are free and are general admission.
Tickets and detailed instructions may be picked up at the March Commencement Fair or the Patriot Center box office with a Mason ID or valid driver’s license as follows:
TICKET PICKUP (Graduation Fair and Eagle Bank Arena Box Office)
Tuesday, April 19 thru Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Monday – Thursday, 10am – 7pm
Friday – Saturday, 10am – 5:30pm
FINAL DAY TO PICKUP TICKETS:
Wednesday May 11, 2016 10am – 5:30pm
S-CAR Undergraduate Program Graduation Speaker
(3 minute speech)
At S-CAR Convocation one representative from the Undergraduate, Master's, and PhD programs will give a 3-minute speech on behalf of their graduating class. The speech can discuss topics such as class achievements and your outlook for the future. See some example topics below.
Example Speech Topics:
- Types of internships people have been involved in
- Places people have traveled for study abroad, volunteer activities
- What backgrounds do individuals have; where are they coming from?
- How has this class evolved and matured in throughout their time in the program?
- What is unique about this program; what drew people to this field and this program at George Mason?
- Where do people feel they are going to pursue with this degree; what are some of the hopes and dreams for the future?
Things to Avoid:
- Going over three minutes!
- Very specific details about particular elements of the program; the speech is meant to be a broad speech on class achievements and outlook for the future.
If you are interested in being the S-CAR Undergraduate Program graduation speaker, send a self-nomination and your proposed 3-minute speech to [email protected]. The speaker will be selected by a committee of faculty and staff. Nominations are due by 11:59 p.m., Monday, April 4, 2016.