Day of Commencement

Commencement is a dignified occasion honoring important educational accomplishments. Decorum and courtesy are important to you and your family, and to your fellow degree candidates and their families. Students that elect to act offensively, disrespectfully, or in any way that disrupts or delays the ceremony will be reported immediately to the Dean of Students for a review of the students actions. During this review a hold will be placed on the students record preventing the mailing of the diploma or releasing the students transcript. After the review, the hold may be lifted pending completion of any sanctions. Once degree candidates have entered the coliseum and have been seated they are expected to remain seated until the conclusion of the ceremony marked by the recession of the faculty. 

• Adherence to the University's alcohol policy is expected.
• Improper attire, signs, and insignia will be removed by the marshals.
• Cell phones and other electronic equipment should be turned off.
• Most importantly, when candidates cross the stage to receive their diplomas, they are to do so by walking at a deliberate pace and without any undue actions of celebration.

Dress Code

Commencement is a formal celebration. We encourage candidates to take this into consideration in regards to wardrobe. Comfortable shoes are STRONGLY encouraged since candidates will be walking long distances and standing for long periods of time. Please choose appropriate footwear.

Prohibited Items

In order to be respectful of all guests and graduates, the following items are prohibited in the Coliseum.

• Air horns or noise makers of any kind
• Alcohol of any kind
• Balloons, banners or posters
• e-Cigarettes or tobacco of any kind
• Weapons or sharp objects of any kind

HATTIESBURG CAMPUS PARKING
All university parking lots, unless otherwise marked, will be open to the public on the day of Commencement. Handicap parking will be on the West side of M. K. Turk Circle and on Kay James Drive. The Southern Miss parking garage (map) adjacent to West Fourth Street will be open for Commencement parking. Please review the Commencement Parking Map for recommended parking areas for graduation candidates and guests.

HATTIESBURG CAMPUS TRAFFIC CONTROL
To maintain safety for pedestrians, traffic flow is restricted around M.K. Turk Circle 20 minutes prior to each ceremony. All participants and guests should review the Commencement Traffic Flow plan to ensure safety and traffic assistance prior to the ceremony. To accommodate the large volume of traffic after the ceremony, traffic flow will be changed for approximately 45 minutes immediately following each ceremony.

• M. K. Turk Circle will be closed to vehicular traffic.
• All traffic exiting the Payne Center parking lot via the East exit will be required to turn right onto Golden Eagle Avenue southbound, in order not to conflict with traffic exiting the parking garage.
• All traffic exiting the parking garage will be required to turn right onto Golden Eagle Avenue northbound, towards West 4th Street, in order not to conflict with traffic exiting the Payne Center lot.
• All traffic exiting Golden Eagle Avenue and the Physical Plant lot onto West 4th Street will be required to turn eastbound on West 4th Street.
• All traffic exiting Pete Taylor Park and M. K. Turk Circle onto West Fourth Street will be required to turn westbound on West 4th Street.
• Traffic that is already on West Fourth Street, either eastbound or westbound, will be allowed to continue in that direction.

   

Disabilities or special needs’ parking accommodations

Special parking lots will be reserved for persons with disabilities or special needs that meet ADA guidelines

Seating cards will be distributed at check in on the day of their commencement ceremony. These seating cards will denote the students’ row and seat numbers in the coliseum.

We encourage graduates and their families to arrive early enough to take photos at various landmarks across campus prior to checking in at the Payne Center (Hattiesburg) or the Coast Coliseum (Biloxi). Family and friends will also be able to take photos from their seats. 

Please help the Physical Plant maintain the beauty of our campuses when taking pictures at various landmarks by doing the following:

• If you use confetti, please choose one that is biodegradable and water-soluble.
• Do not put confetti or any other items in the water fountains.
• Do not release balloons. 

For questions, call the Hattiesburg Physical Plant at 601-266-4414.

The Grad Team Photography

A commencement photographer from The Grad Team Photography will be available to take photos of the candidates as they cross the stage and receive their diploma covers.

The Grad Team will reach out to students after commencement to provide info on how to purchase their pictures. Their Customer Service Department can be reached by completing the Help Desk request form.

Video

The Commencement ceremonies will be webcast live via the USM website. Southern Miss videos of Commencement are available for viewing at a later time via the Southern Miss YouTube channel.

In the event of rain, umbrellas can be used to walk from the check-in location to the coliseum and left in the tunnel until the recessional. If weather is severe enough (heavy rain, thunderstorms, tornado watch/warning) to necessitate a delay in the start of the ceremony, instructions will be announced on-site to students and guests. If the forecast indicates no change in the severity of the weather, cancellation of the ceremony will be announced.

If the ceremony is underway but is interrupted by severe weather, students and guests should follow instructions as announced. It is advised that you prearrange a meeting place with your family and guests in case the ceremony is canceled. Instructions and updates will be provided via the USM Website and through local media outlets.

HATTIESBURG HANDICAP PARKING
Available on the west side of M.K. Turk Circle and on Kay James Drive. It can be accessed from West 4th Street. Kay James Drive can be accessed from M.K. Turk Circle or Montague Boulevard. See commencent parking map. If you have difficulty finding handicap parking, please ask for assistance.

HATTIESBURG & GULF PARK ACCESSIBLE GUEST SEATING
Guests needing accessible seating are encouraged to arrive at least 90 minutes early. Persons with disabilities should bring their own assistive personal devices (scooters, wheelchairs, walkers, etc.) so they can move independently in the coliseum.

HATTIESBURG GRADUATES REQUIRING SPECIAL ASSISTANCE
Students with disabilities requiring special assistance should contact the Office for Disability Accommodations at (601) 266-5024 or email the Office%20for%20Disability%20Accommodations one week ahead of time to make arrangements. The Office for Disability Accommodations will coordinate with the Office of the University Registrar to ensure that all students requiring special assistance are provided with the assistance needed.

GULF COAST GRADUATES REQUIRING SPECIAL ASSISTANCE
If you have special needs for attending or participating in the Gulf Coast Commencement ceremonies, please email the Gulf%20Park%20Department%20of%20Student%20Services.

SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING
This service will be available at both campuses. For those who use sign language, seating can be reserved in the coliseum to get a better viewing angle. Please contact the Office for Disability Accommodations at (601) 266-5024 or email the Office%20for%20Disability%20Accommodations one week ahead of time to make arrangements.

HEARING IMPAIRMENTS
Individuals with Hearing Impairments: May use the Mississippi Relay Service at 1-800-582-2233 to contact any campus office.

OTHER QUESTIONS OR INFORMATION
If you have special needs that are not addressed by the above information, please contact the Office for Disability Accommodations at (601) 266-5024 or email the Office%20for%20Disability%20Accommodations one week ahead of time to make arrangements.

Hooding Professors
Information for faculty who will be hooding doctoral candidates will be provided by the Graduate School.

Faculty Processional
Faculty will line up in the West tunnel of Reed Green Coliseum approximately 30 minutes prior to their respected college ceremony. After the platform party has been seated, faculty will then process down the center aisle and be seated in the gold chair back seats. Faculty should remain in the gold chair back seats until the conclusion of the ceremony.

Faculty Recessional
After the platform party has exited, faculty will recess and exit through the East and West tunnels of the coliseum.

Faculty Regalia
Faculty participants are required to wear appropriate regalia. Faculty members should wear their own regalia or make arrangements through Barnes & Noble Bookstore to rent or purchase.

Hooding Professors
Information for faculty who will be hooding doctoral candidates will be provided by the Graduate School.

Faculty Processional
Faculty will line up outside of the Green Room of the MS Coast Coliseum at 2:15pm. After the Platform Party has been seated, faculty will process up the center aisle, loop around and return to the faculty seating area behind the graduates on the Commencement Floor. Faculty will remain in the faculty seating area until the conclusion of the ceremony.

Faculty Recessional
In keeping with the Gulf Coast commencement tradition, faculty will play a memorable role in the student recessional.

Faculty Regalia
Faculty participants are required to wear appropriate regalia. Faculty members should wear their own regalia or make arrangements through Barnes & Noble Bookstore to rent or purchase.

HATTIESBURG CAMPUS COMMENCEMENT VOLUNTEERS
Commencement is a special occasion for our institution and we want the University community to celebrate with the graduates and their guests.  The Commencement Team is asking for volunteers to take part in this memorable event on Commencement Day on the Hattiesburg campus.

Volunteers can sign up using our Commencement Volunteer Site to assist commencement staff the week of commencement or on commencement day. Volunteer staff and Floor Marshals are asked to wear university colors along with their Southern Miss nametag (if applicable) to aid students and guests in identifying assistants. 

Faculty, staff and students in need of community service hours are encouraged to volunteer. Questions regarding volunteering can be directed to Dana%20Berry or our Graduation%20Listserv. 

Dana Berry, Assistant Registrar for Degree Audits and Commencement
E-Mail: Dana.BerryFREEMississippi | Phone: (601) 266-6175

Robin Johnson, Director of Student Services & Assistant Registrar for Gulf Park
E-Mail: Robin.JohnsonFREEMississippi | Phone: (228) 214-3432

Erin Little, Senior Degree Auditor
Email: Erin.LittleFREEMississippi | Phone (601) 266-6813

Phoebe Magee, Degree Auditor
Email: Phoebe.MageeFREEMississippi | Phone (601) 266-4808

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Undergraduate%20Degree%20Progress%20Specialists%20%28DPS%29

Mona Williamson, Degree Progress Specialist 
E-Mail: Ramona.WilliamsonFREEMississippi | Phone: (601) 266-4522

Anita Hobgood, Degree Progress Specialist
E-Mail: Anita.HobgoodFREEMississippi | Phone: (601) 266-4963

Denise Crozier, Degree Progress Specialist
E-Mail: Denise.CrozierFREEMississippi | Phone: (601) 266-6095

Michelle Dawson Simon, Degree Progress Specialist
E-Mail: Michelle.DawsonFREEMississippi | Phone (601) 266-4522

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Graduation%20Staff%20%28Graduate%20School%29

Erica Brock, Graduate Degree Auditor
E-Mail: Erica.BrockFREEMississippi | Phone: (601) 266-5137

Brittney Hawkins, Asst Director - Grad Prog Mgmt
E-Mail: Brittney.M.HawkinsFREEMississippi | Phone: (601) 266-4369

Michelle Templeton, Grad School Degree Auditor
E-Mail: Deborah.TempletonFREEMississippi | Phone: (601) 266-4181

Fall 2024 Commencement ceremonies have been scheduled for the following dates. 

Thursday, December 12, 2024
Bernard Reed Green Coliseum, Hattiesburg, MS | 5:00 p.m.
All Doctoral, Specialist, and Master's Students

Friday, December 13, 2024
Bernard Reed Green Coliseum, Hattiesburg, MS | 9:00 a.m.
Undergraduate Students | College of Business & Economic Development 
and the College of Education & Human Sciences 

Friday, December 13, 2024
Bernard Reed Green Coliseum, Hattiesburg, MS | 2:00 p.m.
Undergraduate Students | College of Arts & Sciences and the 
College of Nursing & Health Professions

WATCH OUR CEREMONIES LIVE HERE!

Degree candidates should check in at the appropriate location and time listed below. Please do not be late.

Gulf Park
Spring ONLY - All Candidates 

 

Hattiesburg
Fall 2024 – Graduate School

Hattiesburg
Fall 2024 9am Ceremony

STUDENTS	LOCATION	CHECK-IN
Baccalaureate Candidates	Payne Center Gym	8:00 a.m.

 

Hattiesburg
Fall 2024 2pm Ceremony

BACCALAUREATE
Candidates should check in with their caps and gowns. Name cards will be issued by the commencement staff during check-in.

MASTERS/SPECIALISTS
Candidates should check in with their caps, gowns, hoods. Name cards will be issued by the commencement staff during check-in.

DOCTORAL
Candidates should check in with their doctoral regalia (cap and gown); hoods and name cards will be issued by the Graduate School at check-in.

Seating Name Cards & Pronunciation

Seating name cards will be distributed at check-in. If you are concerned about accurate pronunciation of your name at Commencement, you will also have a brief moment before you cross the stage to whisper the pronunciation to the reader.

To begin the Hattiesburg ceremonies, students will be seated on the coliseum floor prior to the start of the ceremony.  Students and guests will be asked to stand for the platform processional.

To begin the Gulf Coast ceremony, doctoral candidates followed by specialist's and master's candidates will lead the baccalaureate candidates in a processional from the West tunnel. Afterward, the students and guests will be asked to stand for the platform processional.

Following both ceremonies, the platform party will lead the students in a recessional exiting through the East and West tunnels.

Diplomas are sent out after the degree clearance process has concluded for the current semester. Find out more on our After Graduation page.