Commencement

Congratulations to the class of 2025!

You have persevered through countless obstacles to reach this point in your journey.

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2025 Commencement Convocation information

Saturday, May 10
10 a.m. | 2 p.m.
William Exum Center

Spring 2025 Commencement Program

Commencement will be held Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., William Exum Center.
Ceremony 1 | 10 a.m.| College of Arts and Sciences
Ceremony 2 | 2 p.m.| College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources & College of Business, Engineering, and Technology

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Doors will open at 8:00 AM for Ceremony 1 and 12:00 PM for Ceremony 2. Please note that seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. We kindly ask you to inform your guests about this arrangement and advise them to arrive early to secure their seats.

Please ensure that your family and friends arrive at least thirty (30) minutes prior to the start of the ceremony to be seated. The doors will close approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony and no one will be allowed to enter William Exum Center once the ceremony begins. Once seating hits capacity, guests will be redirected to overflow seating.

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Thoro Farewell Celebration

Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Time: 6:30 pm
Carl M. Hill Student Center Ballroom
RSVP Form

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Baccalaureate Assembly

Date: Thursday, May 8, 2025
Time: 11:00 am
Location: David H. Bradford Hall Auditorium

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Commencement Convocation

College of Arts & Sciences
Date: Saturday, May 10, 2025
Time: 10:00 am (All graduates are required to arrive by 8:30 am)
Location: William Exum Center

College of Agriculture, Health & Natural Resources
College of Business, Engineering & Technology
Time: 2:00pm (All graduates are required to arrive by 12:45 pm)
Location: William Exum Center

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Rehearsal

College of Arts & Sciences
Date: Friday, May 9, 2025
Time: 11:00 am  
Location: William Exum Center

College of Agriculture, Health & Natural Resources
College of Business, Engineering & Technology
Date: Friday, May 9, 2025
Time: 2:00 pm
Location: William Exum Center

Please bring your regalia to wear during rehearsal, we will have a photographer available to take keepsake photos between 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm.

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Financial Obligations

All candidates for graduation are required to pay non-refundable fee, this excludes regalia. The undergraduate fee is $100.00 per degree and the graduate fee is $150.00 per degree.

*Students must submit a new application for degree if they have been unsuccessful with graduation attempt. A non-refundable graduation fee is assessed each time a student applies for graduation.

Students who apply for graduation and plan to participate in the ceremony must have a zero balance. You are required to contact the Bursar’s Office at (502) 597-6278 or bursarmail@kysu.edu to ensure your balance is paid in full prior to May 2.

 *Please note should you have a balance, we will not provide your diploma until account is paid in full.

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Honors

Students who meet honors requirements will be indicated on name card provided to you during rehearsal. You will be provided with honors stole to wear during ceremony.

Honors Requirements

Summa Cum Laude — must have cumulative GPA of 3.8 and have received no grade of “D or F”
Magna Cum Laude — must have cumulative GPA of 3.5 and have received no grade of “D or F”
Cum Laude — must have cumulative GPA of 3.2
Departmental — must have overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 and GPA of 3.3 in major courses

Note: Graduation honors are awarded only to students who have earned at least 50% of their credit hours at Kentucky State University

Guests

Please ensure that your family and friends arrive at least thirty (30) minutes prior to the start of the ceremony to be seated. The gates will close approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony and no one will be allowed to enter the stadium once ceremony begins. Once seating hits capacity, guests will be redirected to overflow seating.

Attire

All graduates are encouraged to wear professional attire, this includes (dresses, blouses, slacks, shirts and ties). However, we want you to be comfortable so wear what makes you happy and dress to impress, it’s your day!

Parking

Priority parking will be available at the Academic Services Building (ASB) on a first come, first served basis. Additional parking will be designated at the Cabinet for Health and Family Services on Martin L. King Blvd.  Golf carts and shuttles will be available to assist families getting to William Exum Center.

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We look forward to celebrating this joyous occasion with you and your loved ones. If you have any further questions, please visit the FAQ page or email the registrar@ksyu.edu.