Statesboro Commencement Ceremony

Academic Attire

Caps and gowns are required, and only academic attire approved for the ceremony may be worn. The University Honors Medallion as well as stoles—which include, but are not limited to, Honors Society scarves/cords and Sorority/Fraternity scarves—are approved graduation attire. We suggest candidates wear dark flat shoes, dark dresses or dark pants with their graduation gowns.

Tassels

For undergraduate students, tassels should be worn on the right side of the cap hanging over the right eye. At the ceremony, the President will ask you to move your tassel to the left side of the cap during the ceremony. 

For graduate students, tassels should be worn on the left side of the cap hanging over the left eye. The mortarboard of the cap should be parallel to the ground.

Invitations and Commemorative Items

Diploma frames and other commemorative items are available at the University Store on the Statesboro Campus. You may also purchase merchandise online at the University Store’s website. 

Invitations, thank you notes, and certificates can be ordered through Printing and Postal Services, in the Main Dining Commons or on the Printing and Postal Services online webstore.

Class rings can be ordered on the Herff Jones website.

Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro

Allen E. Paulson Stadium, home of the Georgia Southern Eagles football team, is a 25,000-seat capacity stadium on the Statesboro Campus. Construction was complete and the stadium was dedicated on Sept. 29, 1984, with a 48-11 rout of Liberty Baptist. The game was a fitting end to four years of planning and hard work — four years of dreaming of one of the finest football facilities in America. 

1332 Southern Dr.,
Statesboro, GA 30458

Directions to the Stadium

Travel, Food and Lodging

We are excited to welcome families and guests of our graduates for our annual commencement ceremonies. Guests may learn more about our communities on our visitors page. Our out of town guests can view lodging and dining options through Visit Statesboro.

Pictures

A professional photographer from GradImages will take a picture of your graduate as they cross the stage. A proof of this picture will be emailed to graduates Georgia Southern email addresses and mailed to their home address. Graduates can preregister for photos and receive 20% off if they decide to purchase.

Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro

Allen E. Paulson Stadium, home of the Georgia Southern Eagles football team, is a 25,000-seat capacity stadium on the Statesboro Campus. Construction was complete and the stadium was dedicated on Sept. 29, 1984, with a 48-11 rout of Liberty Baptist. The game was a fitting end to four years of planning and hard work — four years of dreaming of one of the finest football facilities in America. 

1332 Southern Dr.,
Statesboro, GA 30458

Directions to the Stadium

Venue Policies

Both graduates and guests must comply with the policies that are required by Paulson Stadium fan code of conduct. Those guidelines are available at the Fan Code of Conduct page. Clear bags will not be required.

Help Us Host Commencement

As Commencement is a respected University-wide event, the Commencement Committee is currently seeking faculty and staff volunteers to serve as hosts and candidate assistants for each ceremony.

As a Commencement Host, your primary tasks will be to greet guests, assist with guest seating and post-ceremony departure.  

As a Candidate Assistant, you will need to ensure that students are in the correct college seating area, ensure each student has a GradPass, and that college rows have an equal number of students, in addition to other assigned duties throughout the ceremony. 

Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro

Allen E. Paulson Stadium, home of the Georgia Southern Eagles football team, is a 25,000-seat capacity stadium on the Statesboro Campus. Construction was complete and the stadium was dedicated on Sept. 29, 1984, with a 48-11 rout of Liberty Baptist. The game was a fitting end to four years of planning and hard work — four years of dreaming of one of the finest football facilities in America. 

1332 Southern Dr.,
Statesboro, GA 30458

Directions to the Stadium

Academic Attire

Caps and gowns are required, and only academic attire approved for the ceremony may be worn. The University Honors Medallion as well as stoles—which include, but are not limited to, Honors Society scarves/cords and Sorority/Fraternity scarves—are approved graduation attire. We suggest candidates wear dark flat shoes, dark dresses or dark pants with their graduation gowns.

Tassels

For undergraduate students, tassels should be worn on the right side of the cap hanging over the right eye. At the ceremony, the President will ask you to move your tassel to the left side of the cap during the ceremony. 

For graduate students, tassels should be worn on the left side of the cap hanging over the left eye. The mortarboard of the cap should be parallel to the ground.

Accessibility

Candidates who need accommodations during the graduation ceremony due to limited mobility should contact the Student Accessibility Resource Center (SARC) at 912-478-1566.

On the day of the ceremony, they may also speak with a Guest Services representative upon arrival. ADA representatives will assist them with getting to their seat.

Candidate Arrival

Candidates should arrive at Paulson Stadium an hour before the ceremony. Enter through gates 9 and 11 and proceed to the seating area on either side of the Bishop Building, based on your college for undergraduates and degree level for graduate students (masters, specialist, doctorate).

• Stadium Parking Map
• Shuttle Map
• Stadium Seating Map

Parking

Parking is available at Paulson Stadium and other locations on campus. To minimize traffic congestion, carpooling is encouraged. 

Shuttles will be available on commencement days. The shuttles will begin running one hour before each ceremony and run for one hour after each ceremony.

Photography

A professional photographer from GradImages will take a picture of you as you cross the stage. A proof of this picture will be emailed to you at your Georgia Southern email address and mailed to your home address so that you may decide if you wish to purchase these photos.

• Preregister for Photos

If you preregister, you can get 20% off of your purchase.

Candidate Seating

Seating for the Paulson Stadium ceremonies will begin an hour before each ceremony.  Please enter at the west end of Paulson Stadium — gates 9 and 11. Please proceed to the seating area on either side of the Bishop Building. Your seating location is determined by your college for undergraduate students and by your degree level for graduate students. Staff members will help direct you to your seat in the seating area.

• Stadium Seating Map

Name Cards (GradPass)

A GradPass will be sent to you through Marching Order. You MUST have the electronic GradPass accessible on your cell phone or a printed copy of the GradPass before entering the stadium seating area. If you do not have the GradPass when you arrive at the stadium, please see a staff member at the Candidate Check In table near the entrance to Paulson stadium. During the ceremony, you will present your GradPass to the scanner in front of the stage so your name can be read as you cross the stage. If you choose to use your cell phone to present your Grad Pass, make sure it is fully charged before you arrive.  You can save it to your phone (make sure to turn your brightness all the way up and do not enlarge the QR code.)  We strongly encourage you to bring a printed copy of your GradPass in case anything happens to your cell phone.

Accessibility

Visitors with accessibility concerns are strongly encouraged to arrive early to the ceremony.  A designated handicap parking area is available on a first-come, first-served basis. A state handicap parking permit is required.

See map below.

If one or more of your guests require accessible seating, all guests in your party should enter Paulson Stadium through the Media Gate or Gate 13 and sit together in the accessible seating area, which is located along the South Concourse adjacent to sections A and G, and along the North Concourse in sections H through P, sections 101 through 113.  See map below. Reservations are not required and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Due to the design of Paulson Stadium, the walkway to the concourse is an inclined distance and all who experience mobility issues are strongly advised to be prepared with mobility devices (i.e. wheelchairs, scooters, walkers) and/or personal assistance. Wheelchairs will not be available at the venue. Please come with a wheelchair if one is needed.   

• Stadium Parking Map
• Stadium Seating Map

Additionally, guests may contact the Student Accessibility Resource Center for guest-related accessibility questions at 912-478-1566 or sarcboro@georgiasouthern.edu.

Guests Requiring American Sign Language

American Sign Language interpreting is available. Guests who need access and desire close proximity to the ASL interpreter may choose to sit in Section J of Paulson Stadium.  

Ticketing

Tickets for guests are not required at Paulson Stadium. Graduates will not need tickets. Their cap and gown is their ticket.

Guest Parking, Entrance and Seating

Relatives and friends may enter Paulson Stadium through Gates 1, 5, 7, 8, 12 or 13. Guests and candidates will not be allowed to hold or reserve seats for other guests. 

Gates/doors open 1 hour prior to the start of each ceremony. Please note that the ceremonies begin promptly at 10 a.m. with a processional.

Carpooling is encouraged, and shuttles are available at three locations around campus to transport guests to the stadium. 

Certain items are not permitted into the stadium including: Balloons, selfie sticks, noisemakers, outside food/drinks, posters.

• Stadium Parking Map
• Shuttle Map
• Stadium Seating Map

Concessions

Concessions will be available for food and drink purchases.