Commencement

Friday, May 8, 2026

• 10:00 am: Phi Beta Kappa Induction Ceremony
  Booth Ferris, Steinman College Center 
  Invitation only 
  
  
• 3:00 pm: Graduate-only rehearsal
  
  
• 3:30 pm*: Lux et Lex Walk for the Class of 2026 
  *Immediately following graduate rehearsal
  
  
• 4:15 pm: Class of 2026 champagne toast

Saturday, May 9, 2026

• 7:30 - 9:00 am: 32nd Annual African American Alumni Council (AAAC) Graduation Breakfast
  Booth Ferris, Steinman College Center 
  Register by May 3
  
  
• 7:30 - 9:00 am: 5th Annual Asociación Latino para Movimiento Alumnal (ALMA) Graduation Breakfast
  Catering Suite, Benjamin Franklin Dining Hall
  Register by May 3
  
  
• 10:00 am: 239th Commencement Ceremony
  
  
• 12:30 - 2:30 pm: Graduates & Families Reception with Faculty

• Tickets are required for admission to the Alumni Sports & Fitness Center. 
• Graduates will receive registration details in March 2026 to confirm ceremony participation and reserve ceremony tickets — up to 6 tickets per graduate.
• Additional tickets are available on a limited basis and will be announced once all eligible graduates confirm their participation by the graduate registration deadline.
• Tickets are issued as electronic e-tickets and must be shared directly by graduates with their guests
• Tickets are individually numbered and cannot be duplicated
• All tickets are for general seating only and are not assigned to a specific seat number.
• Tickets must be presented at the door. They may be printed or shown on a mobile device. All guests in a party must be present together for tickets to be scanned. 
• All tickets will be scanned for entry. Guests must possess a ticket to enter, exit, and re-enter the venue.

• Doors to the Alumni Sports & Fitness Center open at 9:00 am The ceremony begins promptly at 10:00 am.
• A seating hold will occur at the beginning and end of the ceremony start time. 
• Seating is general admission and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• While tickets are numbered, they do not correspond to a specific seat number.
• Seats may not be held or reserved in advance.
• Guests are asked to remain seated through the ceremony program.
• Large celebratory items are prohibited, including but not limited to; large posters, floral arrangements, balloons, or any form of noise maker. 

• All guests are encouraged to park in the north parking lots on West Liberty St.
• A shuttle service will run between the north parking areas and the ceremony venue from 8:30 am - 1:30 pm. 
• Parking in the ASFC west lots (K/L on the parking map) is limited and prioritized for guests with state-issued Persons with Disability parking placards. For those needing further assistance, there is a designated drop-off area near the entrance doors.

• An online broadcast of the ceremony will be available to view on the College’s website. 
• The online broadcast will begin at 10:00 am.
• All are welcome to also attend the remote indoor viewing party at the Ann & Richard Bashinger Center for Musical Arts. Doors open at 9:00 am. No tickets are required. This is a great option for guests wishing for a more flexible and comfortable on-campus participation.

• A professional photographer will capture each graduate as they receive their diploma on stage and an off-stage portrait. 
• Photos are provided by the official Commencement photography company, Legacy Photographic. 
• Graduates will receive information from Legacy Photographic on options to purchase these photos following the ceremony to their F&M Gmail account.

• The safety and comfort of our attendees is our top priority.
• For the respect of all guests, large celebratory items are prohibited, including but not limited to posters, floral arrangements, balloons, and noise makers. 
• The Alumni Sports & Fitness Center provides on-level accessible seating with folding chairs; however, no reserved or designated special seating is available. 
• Due to the scale of the event, accommodations beyond general seating cannot be provided for individual health and wellness concerns.
• Closed-captioning of the ceremony is provided. 
• Guests who may require a more flexible or less crowded environment are encouraged to watch the live broadcast or attend the viewing party available in the Ann & Richard Barshinger Center for Musical Arts. 
• Guests regarding accommodations may be directed to commencement@fandm.edu. 

We encourage families to make overnight accommodations in advance of the weekend. There are several hotels near campus, including our hotel and bed and breakfast partners that offer a special rate for F&M visitors. We recommend making reservations early as overnight accommodations tend to book up quickly.

Lancaster is also home to more than 100 restaurants, cafes and eateries, featuring food from around the world. We strongly recommend scheduling lunch reservations in advance; we suggest a reservation time anytime after 1:30 pm.