Each student that applied to graduate in Gulfline and meets FGCU's eligibility requirements will receive an e-mail the week of October 1st from noreply@marchingorder.com to register to participate in their designated commencement ceremony. After registering to participate in their designated ceremony, each student will be able to claim up to 4 tickets for their specific ceremony.
Schedule
Ceremony 1 - Saturday, December 14th - 10 a.m.
College of Arts & Sciences (minus students in the Integrated Studies program)
Ceremony 2 - Saturday, December 14th - 3 p.m.
Lutgert College of Business
College of Arts & Sciences (only students in the Integrated Studies program)
Ceremony 3 - Sunday, December 15th - 10 a.m.
The Water School
U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering
College of Education
Marieb College of Health & Human Services
Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship
FGCU celebrates two commencement events a year – at the conclusion of the Spring and Fall semesters.
Prospective fall graduates who want to walk in December must complete a graduation application in Gulfline.
Only candidates who have met the requirements for graduation, including completion of all credit hours, will be considered eligible to walk in a ceremony.
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Arrival: Candidates should arrive 1 hour prior to the ceremony start at Alico Arena, wearing your cap and gown. Leave personal belongings with your guest or in your vehicle. Parking: Due to the large attendance, early arrival and carpooling are encouraged. Parking is located in parking garage 1, near the Cohen Student Union. Guests parking in Garage 1 can enjoy a 1/2 mile walk along the boardwalk to the Arena. Pick up and drop off for guests with limited mobility are available at the front of the arena before and after the ceremony. There are limited disabled parking spaces located in the front of Alico Arena and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A disabled person parking permit or license plate is required. More information about directions and parking is located in the Directions section below. Check In: Check in starts 1 hour prior to the ceremony. Any candidates arriving earlier than this time will be waiting outside. Check in will be to the left of Alico Arena. Candidates will receive a card at check in. This card will inform the reader how to correctly pronounce your name. Attire: Please dress appropriately: shoes, shirts, etc. are required. High heels are not recommended as you will be standing for long periods of time. Ceremony: The ceremony is expected to last about 2-2.5 hours. There is no rehearsal for the ceremony. Gown Return: Gowns are required to be turned in to the Bookstore. If purchased online, you are able to return your gown through the mail. You are welcome to keep your cap. What you need to know video
Gown Return:
Gowns are required to be turned in to the Bookstore. If purchased online, you can return your gown through the mail. You are welcome to keep your cap.
Stoles:
After registering to participate in their designated ceremony, each student will be able to claim up to 4 tickets for their specific ceremony. Based on the seating capacity of Alico Arena and the number of fall graduates, we cannot guarantee there will be any extra tickets. If extra tickets become available, FGCU will make an announcement prior to commencement with instructions on how to claim them. Each guest must have a ticket. Children 3 and over must have a ticket. Tickets can be printed or saved to a phone. We suggest downloading your tickets to your phone before you get to the Arena. Guests will not be able to re-enter once their ticket has been scanned. Each ticket will have a unique barcode. Duplicate tickets will not be accepted. Tickets are only valid for the ceremony listed on the ticket. The university does not sell guest tickets for commencement, and those attempting to purchase tickets online should be wary of scams and the potential of fake tickets with duplicate barcodes.
Pick-up and drop-off for guests with limited mobility is available at the front of Alico Arena before and after each ceremony. There are limited accessible parking spaces located in front of Alico Arena and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A disabled person parking permit or license plate is required. Seating for individuals with special needs is located in designated areas on the second floor of Alico Arena and is available on a first come, first served basis. FGCU Adaptive Services: We're here to enhance access for students, faculty, staff and guests with disabilities. We help by providing effective, reasonable accommodations, educating the campus community and promoting equal access and opportunity in the process. Visit FGCU Adaptive Services
Each ceremony will be streamed live. This will be published on the Commencement website on the day of the ceremony.
From the south (via I-75)
How to get to Alico Arena:
Parking is located in parking garage 1 near the Cohen Student Union. Guests parking in garage 1 can enjoy a 1/2 mile walk along the boardwalk toward the arena.
Additional parking is located in garage 3 near McTarnaghan and Howard Halls. From garage 3 it is a .8 mile walk to the arena.
Limited parking is available in the housing parking lot adjacent to Alico Arena.
Pick up and drop off for guests with limited mobility are available at the front of the arena before and after the ceremony.
There are limited disabled parking spaces located in the front of Alico Arena and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A disabled person parking permit or license plate is required.
For other locations on campus, use our interactive map:
The local FGCU community offers numerous restaurants and hotels for visitors. Search hotels near Florida Gulf Coast University . This information is provided to help you search for lodging. It is not an FGCU endorsement of listed properties. Hotels close to campus
Explore galleries that bring our university to life by showcasing the unique features that define the FGCU experience. and make for great photo spots. Photo Galleries
GradImages has been hired to take photos of each candidate before, during, and after crossing the stage. Proofs of photos will be sent to candidates after the ceremony with the opportunity to purchase photos. For any questions related to these photos, please reach out to the Grad Images Customer Service Department at (800) 261-2576, online at www.gradimages.com, or email ecc.giservice@gradimages.net By entering the event premises, you consent to the recording of your image and likeness, and you authorize Florida Gulf Coast University to release, publish, exhibit or reproduce any audio or video recordings, as well as photographs, which include your likeness in connection with this event.
Graduating FGCU students join together to leave their legacy at YOUR University. As a Senior, you can pay it forward to the next generation and express gratitude to your college, Azul’s Attire, CAPS, FGCU Athletics, ROCK Center, Veterans Entrepreneurship, and more! You can browse over 60 areas of support on FGCU Foundation’s Giving Platform to make a gift and spread the word to your friends. Graduating Eagles donating $10 or more will receive an exclusive FGCU Graduation Medallion to wear at Commencement. Medallions can be picked up at the Alumni Office in the Campus Support Complex from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Graduation and commencement are two separate activities and have different requirements, processes and deadlines. As you complete your academic journey, students apply to graduate in order to receive their degree and diploma. Commencement is a ceremony that celebrates students' accomplishments and marks the transition of becoming part of the FGCU alumni family.
Interested? You can sign up to work one day – or both! Sign up by filling out this form.
What happens after I register as a volunteer?
The Commencement Team will be in touch about a one-hour commencement training meeting on Friday, December 13, and day-of commencement duties.
How do I submit my service-learning hours after commencement?
The Commencement Team will cover this in the one-hour commencement training meeting. Please note that students must complete both the training and the service experience to be able to track any hours.
I have other questions. Who should I contact?
Visit the commencement website, www.fgcu.edu/commencement. General commencement questions can be directed to commencement@fgcu.edu.
Ceremony 2 | 3 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 15
Ceremony 3 | 10 a.m.
Now that you know when your ceremony is going to be, use the checklist (linked here) to make sure you are eligible to participate, understand your next steps for fall commencement and for ticket information.
Below is the schedule for the three ceremonies:
Saturday, Dec. 14
Ceremony 1 | 10 a.m.
Ceremony 2 | 3 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 15
Ceremony 3 | 10 a.m.
Commencement questions can be directed to commencement@fgcu.edu.
