Commencement 2026

Shaw University Graduates should arrive at the C.C. Spaulding Gymnasium by 7:30 am to line up and process (walk) to the Raleigh Convention Center (using the McDowell Street entrance) The procession will begin promptly at 8:00 am.

No. The Shaw University Commencement Exercise will not be a ticketed event.

Guests can park in the McLaurin parking deck located on Lenoir Street for all events for a fee of $7 per day. Also, visit the Raleigh Convention Center directions webpage for details.

Handicapped parking for individuals with valid, state-issued handicapped permits/plates will be available in the parking lots surrounding the Raleigh Convention Center.

No. The venue does not allow balloons, noise makers or large flyers as it may present a fire hazard in the event of an emergency. The Commencement ceremony is a traditional and professional academic ritual.

Guests can begin to enter the venue by 8:00 am. Please allow time for traffic and parking.

Guest may enter through the main entrance on Salisbury Street. From the main lobby, guests can take the stairs, escalators or elevator to the bottom level to enter the ceremony.

TBD

Yes. A photographer from Photo Specialties will be on hand taking pictures as graduates walk across the stage. Additional details for ordering these pictures will be sent to your bears email directly from Photo Specialties. Contact information for Photo Specialties can be found in your Program (919) 967-9576.

Yes, commencement will be streamed live. It is available to watch on Shaw University’s Facebook Page, You Tube Channel.

FaceBook:
https://www.facebook.com/ShawUniversity

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/c/ShawUniv

You may order your cap and gown, as well as additional graduation products from the Herff Jones website. The cost of the cap and gown are included in your graduation fee. Please remember that the deadline to order all graduation items is March 1 by 11:59 p.m.

You may purchase or order graduation announcements from Herff Jones up through March 30. Herff Jones has created school-specific personalized announcements for Shaw University, and you may order them through the Herff Jones website. Generic graduation announcements may also be purchased from the Shaw University Bookstore (Willie E. Gary Student Center, 919-828-1730). Remember it takes several weeks for personalized printing so order them well in advance.

The graduation fee should be paid on or before April 15. All balances must also be paid. For further questions pertaining to clearance, seniors should contact the Student Accounts Office at (919) 546-8228 or via email to sa@shawu.edu.

Yes, students can contact the Cashier’s Office at 919-546-8678. Hours of Operation for Cashier’s Office are 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., located on the1st floor of Tyler Hall. Students can pay via certified check, debit card, credit card, money order or on-line payments through the Cashier’s Office. No checks can be accepted after April 15, 2025.

No. Only students who have completed the Graduation Clearance Process (which includes clearing all outstanding balances) will be allowed to participate in the Commencement Exercise.

No. Only students who have completed the Graduation Clearance Process (which includes a final degree audit) will be allowed to participate in the Commencement Exercise.

Yes. If you have completed your graduation application your name will appear in the commencement program. However, the commencement program is for ceremonial purposes only and does not reflect the official graduation status of the participants. The diploma of Shaw University, signed and sealed by its proper officers, remains the official testimony of the possession of the degree.

It is possible that your name is listed in the program if you are a prospective graduate as of April 15. However, your name will not be included in the program if you do not have a completed Graduation Application and Senior Audit form. The commencement program contains the most accurate graduation information available at press time and is for ceremonial purposes only. The commencement program does not reflect the official graduation status of the participant and should not be used to determine a student’s academic or degree status. The diploma of the University, signed and sealed by its proper officers, remains the official testimony of the possession of the degree.

All students must apply to graduate in order to receive a diploma, regardless of whether you intend to participate in any commencement exercises.

September 30 – Graduation applications for prospective Fall 2025 graduates

November 14 – Graduation applications for prospective Spring 2026 graduates

Senior exams are scheduled between November 17-21 (Fall) and May 4-8 (Spring).

No. Participation in the commencement ceremony is not mandatory. If you wish to have your diploma package mailed to you, contact the Office of the Registrar (919-546-8414).

Appropriate business attire should be worn beneath the regalia and you should wear black shoes that you feel comfortable walking across stage in. Note: If you do not have proper academic regalia, you cannot participate in the Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies. Those persons not dressed properly will be immediately asked to leave the assembly area and will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony. If you already have your own cap and gown, you must obtain approval by April 24 to wear them from appropriate staff in the Shaw University Bookstore. Students are permitted to decorate their mortar boards and must adhere to all restrictions regarding appropriate décor.

Any undergraduate student that has a GPA with in the range of 3.25 to 4.00

No. Graduate students do not receive Honors cords.

Honor Cords will distributed to undergraduates during Graduation Rehearsal.

Only Active and/or Discharged Servicemen/women receive a cord. VA dependents and benefit recipients do not receive a cord.

Graduation cords can be worn at Commencement if they represent high academic achievement.

Please leave all personal belongings with your guests or in a safe place during the ceremony. It may be difficult to keep up with a purse or bag during the ceremony.

Immediately following Commencement diplomas can be picked up in Spaulding Gymnasium up to 1 hour after Commencement ends.

You may come to the Registrar’s Office any day Monday through Friday, during regular business hours of 8am – 5pm to pick it up.