FGCU Commencement

Arrival:

Candidates should arrive 1 hour prior to the ceremony start at Alico Arena, wearing your cap and gown. Leave personal belongings with your guest or in your vehicle.

Parking:

Due to the large attendance, early arrival and carpooling are encouraged.

Parking is located in parking garage 1, near the Cohen Student Union. Guests parking in Garage 1 can enjoy a 1/2 mile walk along the boardwalk to the Arena.

Pick up and drop off for guests with limited mobility are available at the front of the arena before and after the ceremony.

There are limited disabled parking spaces located in the front of Alico Arena and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A disabled person parking permit or license plate is required.

More information about directions and parking is located in the Directions section below.

Check In:

Check in starts 1 hour prior to the ceremony. Any candidates arriving earlier than this time will be waiting outside.

Check in will be to the left of Alico Arena. Candidates will receive a card at check in. This card will inform the reader how to correctly pronounce your name.

Attire:

Please dress appropriately: shoes, shirts, etc. are required. High heels are not recommended as you will be standing for long periods of time.

Ceremony:

The ceremony is expected to last about 2-2.5 hours. There is no rehearsal for the ceremony.

Gown Return:

Gowns are required to be turned in to the Bookstore. If purchased online, you are able to return your gown through the mail. You are welcome to keep your cap.

What you need to know video

Arrival:

Doors open 1 hour prior to the ceremony. Guests arriving earlier than this time will need to wait outside until door open.

Guests will enter through the main doors at Alico Arena.

No outside food or drinks are allowed inside the Arena. Due to the large attendance, early arrival and carpooling are encouraged. 

Ceremony:

The ceremony is expected to last about 2-2.5 hours.

Parking:

Due to the large attendance, early arrival and carpooling are encouraged.

Parking is located in parking garage 1, near the Cohen Student Union. Guests parking in Garage 1 can enjoy a 1/2 mile walk along the boardwalk to the Arena.

Pick up and drop off for guests with limited mobility are available at the front of the arena before and after the ceremony.

There are limited disabled parking spaces located in the front of Alico Arena and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A disabled person parking permit or license plate is required.

More information about directions and parking is located in the Directions section below.

Tickets:

Each guest must have a ticket. No ticket = no entry.

Children 3 and over must have a ticket.

Tickets can either be printed or saved to a phone.

Guests will not be able to re-enter once their ticket has been scanned.

Tickets are only valid for the ceremony listed on the ticket.

Duplicate tickets will not be accepted.

The university does not sell guest tickets for commencement, and those attempting to purchase tickets online should be wary of scams and the potential of fake tickets with duplicate barcodes.

Seating:

There are no assigned seats. All seating, including accessible seating, is located on the second floor of the Arena. There is an elevator available.

Attire:

Business casual attire is highly recommended.

Photography:

No one is allowed to enter the main floor to take pictures.

There will be professional photographers that will be taking pictures of each candidate before, during, and after crossing the stage.

Proofs of photos will be sent to candidates within 2 weeks after the ceremony with the opportunity to purchase photos.

By entering the event premises, you consent to the recording of your image and likeness, and you authorize Florida Gulf Coast University to release, publish, exhibit or reproduce any audio or video recordings, as well as photographs, which include your likeness in connection with this event. 

Bag Check:

Security will be checking bags and ensuring prohibited items do not enter Alico Arena.

Prohibited Items:

• Large bags (nothing larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches)
• Signs
• Backpacks
• Balloons
• Horns
• Canned string
• Air horns
• Noisemakers
• Alcohol
• Weapons
• Firearms
• Glassware
• Outside food or beverage
• Tripods
• Beach balls

Caps & Gowns

• Details on deadlines and how to order your cap, gown will be available through the FGCU Bookstore or you can order your regalia online here. The FGCU Grad Fair will take place in the Bookstore on October 21st and 22nd from 11am-3pm. During this event, representatives from Herff Jones will be on site and will be available to assist students with ordering rings, announcements, and regalia. 
• The deadline to order your cap and gown is Friday, November 1st. 
• Masters gowns are blue. Bachelors gowns are black.
• Gowns are required to be turned in to the Bookstore. If purchased online, you are able to return your gown through the mail. You are welcome to keep your cap.

Gown Return:

Gowns are required to be turned in to the Bookstore. If purchased online, you can return your gown through the mail. You are welcome to keep your cap.

Stoles:

• College or major specific stoles are coordinated through each college or program. Reach out to your advisor for more information about how to purchase these specific stoles.
• First Gen stoles are distributed by First Year Experience. An email will be sent out in November with more information about how to get them. These are first-come, first-serve. Please email fye@fgcu.edu with any questions.
• The white FGCU stoles are available for purchase for everyone through the Herff Jones website when ordering your cap and gown.
• Honors stoles and cords are distributed by the Bookstore in person only, starting on Friday, November 18th. This includes the GPA specific cords.

ORDER YOUR CAP & GOWN

After registering to participate in their designated ceremony, each student will be able to claim up to 4 tickets for their specific ceremony.

At this time, FGCU is only able to offer 4 tickets per student due to the number of graduates at each ceremony and capacity limitations at Alico Arena. You have until November 15 to claim your tickets. Should additional tickets become available for a ceremony, FGCU will make an announcement the week of November 25 with instructions on how to claim them. All three ceremonies will be streamed on the FGCU commencement website and broadcast live in the Cohen Student Union, where several rooms will be set up with chairs for viewers without a ticket to enter Alico Arena.

Based on the seating capacity of Alico Arena and the number of fall graduates, we cannot guarantee there will be any extra tickets. If extra tickets become available, FGCU will make an announcement prior to commencement with instructions on how to claim them. 

Each guest must have a ticket. Children 3 and over must have a ticket. Tickets can be printed or saved to a phone. We suggest downloading your tickets to your phone before you get to the Arena. Guests will not be able to re-enter once their ticket has been scanned.

Each ticket will have a unique barcode. Duplicate tickets will not be accepted. Tickets are only valid for the ceremony listed on the ticket. The university does not sell guest tickets for commencement, and those attempting to purchase tickets online should be wary of scams and the potential of fake tickets with duplicate barcodes.

Pick-up and drop-off for guests with limited mobility is available at the front of Alico Arena before and after each ceremony. There are limited accessible parking spaces located in front of Alico Arena and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.  A disabled person parking permit or license plate is required.

Seating for individuals with special needs is located in designated areas on the second floor of Alico Arena and is available on a first come, first served basis. 

FGCU Adaptive Services: We're here to enhance access for students, faculty, staff and guests with disabilities. We help by providing effective, reasonable accommodations, educating the campus community and promoting equal access and opportunity in the process.

Visit FGCU Adaptive Services

Each ceremony will be streamed live. This will be published on the Commencement website on the day of the ceremony.

Driving directions to FGCU:

From the north (via I-75)

• Take I-75 south to Alico Road at exit 128. (Tip: stay in right two lanes due to split highway)
• Go east (left) on Alico Road for half-mile.
• Go south (right) on Ben Hill Griffin Parkway for 2 miles.
• Turn left at the stoplight onto FGCU Boulevard at the main entrance (marked by FGCU tower and wall monument).

From the south (via I-75)

• Take I-75 north to Corkscrew Road at Exit 123.
• Go east (right) onto Corkscrew Road for half-mile.
• Turn north (left) onto Ben Hill Griffin Parkway.
• Drive 3 miles to main entrance (marked by FGCU tower and wall monument) and turn right onto FGCU Boulevard.

How to get to Alico Arena:

Parking is located in parking garage 1 near the Cohen Student Union. Guests parking in garage 1 can enjoy a 1/2 mile walk along the boardwalk toward the arena.

Additional parking is located in garage 3 near McTarnaghan and Howard Halls.  From garage 3 it is a .8 mile walk to the arena.

Limited parking is available in the housing parking lot adjacent to Alico Arena.

Pick up and drop off for guests with limited mobility are available at the front of the arena before and after the ceremony.

There are limited disabled parking spaces located in the front of Alico Arena and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A disabled person parking permit or license plate is required.

For other locations on campus, use our interactive map:

FGCU CAMPUS MAP

Bag Check:

Security will be checking bags and ensuring prohibited items do not enter Alico Arena.

Prohibited Items:

• Large bags (nothing larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches)
• Signs
• Backpacks
• Balloons
• Horns
• Canned string
• Air horns
• Noisemakers
• Alcohol
• Weapons
• Firearms
• Glassware
• Outside food or beverage (this includes reusable and plastic water bottles)
• Tripods
• Beach balls

The local FGCU community offers numerous restaurants and hotels for visitors. Search hotels near Florida Gulf Coast University. This information is provided to help you search for lodging. It is not an FGCU endorsement of listed properties.

Hotels close to campus

Explore galleries that bring our university to life by showcasing the unique features that define the FGCU experience...and make for great photo spots.

Photo Galleries

GradImages has been hired to take photos of each candidate before, during, and after crossing the stage. Proofs of photos will be sent to candidates after the ceremony with the opportunity to purchase photos.

For any questions related to these photos, please reach out to the Grad Images Customer Service Department at (800) 261-2576, online at www.gradimages.com, or email ecc.giservice@gradimages.net 

By entering the event premises, you consent to the recording of your image and likeness, and you authorize Florida Gulf Coast University to release, publish, exhibit or reproduce any audio or video recordings, as well as photographs, which include your likeness in connection with this event. 

FGCU Employee - Commencement Worker RegistrationFGCU Student - Commencement Worker Registration

Graduating FGCU students join together to leave their legacy at YOUR University. As a Senior, you can pay it forward to the next generation and express gratitude to your college, Azul’s Attire, CAPS, FGCU Athletics, ROCK Center, Veterans Entrepreneurship, and more! You can browse over 60 areas of support on FGCU Foundation’s Giving Platform to make a gift and spread the word to your friends. Graduating Eagles donating $10 or more will receive an exclusive FGCU Graduation Medallion to wear at Commencement. Medallions can be picked up at the Alumni Office in the Campus Support Complex from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Graduation and commencement are two separate activities and have different requirements, processes and deadlines.

As you complete your academic journey, students apply to graduate in order to receive their degree and diploma.

Commencement is a ceremony that celebrates students' accomplishments and marks the transition of becoming part of the FGCU alumni family.

Good afternoon, FGCU students!

Registration for fall commencement opens this week. All students who have applied to graduate and have been verified as eligible to graduate will receive an email the week of October 1 from MarchingOrder (noreply@marchingorder.com).

The email from MarchingOrder will include:

• Instructions on how to register for your commencement ceremony
• The process for claiming four guest tickets by the November 15 deadline

Don’t remember if you applied?

If you need to verify that you have submitted an application to graduate, contact Records & Registration at orr@fgcu.edu.

Did you submit your required service-learning hours?

You can ensure you are ready to graduate by checking your service-learning hours at the top of Degree Works. Not finished or need assistance? Contact the Office of Service-Learning & Civic Engagement at servicelearning@fgcu.edu or (239) 590-7023.

Requesting additional tickets

At this time, FGCU is only able to offer 4 tickets per student due to the number of graduates at each ceremony and capacity limitations at Alico Arena. You have until November 15 to claim your tickets. Should additional tickets become available for a ceremony, FGCU will make an announcement the week of November 25 with instructions on how to claim them. All three ceremonies will be streamed on the FGCU commencement website and broadcast live in the Cohen Student Union, where several rooms will be set up with chairs for viewers without a ticket to enter Alico Arena.

Be wary of ticket scams!

The university does not sell guest tickets for commencement, and those attempting to purchase tickets online should be wary of scams and the potential of fake tickets with duplicate barcodes.

Questions?

Visit the commencement website, wwww.fgcu.edu/commencement, for more details. Commencement questions can be directed to commencement@fgcu.edu. Questions about graduation applications and eligibility should be directed to the Office of Records & Registration at orr@fgcu.edu.

Wings Up!

Good afternoon, FGCU students!

FGCU’s fall commencement is the second weekend in December, and we’re asking FGCU students to pitch in to make this a great experience. This is a great opportunity to sign up as a volunteer and earn Service‐Learning Hours!  

Student volunteers will help check in students, greet families, scan tickets at the door and serve as an information assistant. Each job is important to ensuring graduates and their families have a great day! 

Commencement dates are as follows: 

• Saturday, December 14 
• Sunday, December 15 

Interested? You can sign up to work one day – or both! Sign up by filling out this form.  

What happens after I register as a volunteer? 

The Commencement Team will be in touch about a one-hour commencement training meeting on Friday, December 13, and day-of commencement duties. 

How do I submit my service-learning hours after commencement? 

The Commencement Team will cover this in the one-hour commencement training meeting. Please note that students must complete both the training and the service experience to be able to track any hours.  

I have other questions. Who should I contact? 

Visit the commencement website, www.fgcu.edu/commencement. General commencement questions can be directed to commencement@fgcu.edu. 

Wings Up! 

Good morning, FGCU students! 

FGCU is celebrating fall commencement at Alico Arena on Saturday, December 14, and Sunday, December 15. Here is the schedule for the three ceremonies: 

Saturday, Dec. 14  

Ceremony 1 | 10 a.m.  

• College of Arts & Sciences (minus students in the integrated studies program)  

Ceremony 2 | 3 p.m.  

• College of Arts & Sciences (only students in the integrated studies program) 

• Lutgert College of Business  

Sunday, Dec. 15  

Ceremony 3 | 10 a.m.   

• College of Education 

• Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship 

• Marieb College of Health & Human Services 

• The Water School 

• U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering 

Now that you know when your ceremony is going to be, use the checklist (linked here) to make sure you are eligible to participate, understand your next steps for fall commencement and for ticket information.  

Wings Up! 

Good morning, Eagles!  

FGCU is celebrating fall commencement at Alico Arena on Saturday, December 14, and Sunday, December 15. Here is how FGCU employees can pitch in to make this a great experience for our students and their guests: 

1. Sign up to provide staff support as a commencement worker 
   Employees who sign up to work the ceremonies will benefit from an alternate work schedule and take on important roles that support our graduates and their guests, such as scanning tickets, lining up students and distributing programs. Sign up by filling out this form.  

1. Sign up to participate in a ceremony (faculty-only) 
   Each college will send out information and instructions on how to register as faculty participants, which is an opportunity to wear your regalia, sit with graduates and be part of the commencement march.  

Below is the schedule for the three ceremonies: 

Saturday, Dec. 14  

Ceremony 1 | 10 a.m.  

• College of Arts & Sciences (minus students in the integrated studies program)  

Ceremony 2 | 3 p.m.  

• College of Arts & Sciences (only students in the integrated studies program) 

• Lutgert College of Business  

Sunday, Dec. 15  

Ceremony 3 | 10 a.m.   

• College of Education 

• Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship 

• Marieb College of Health & Human Services 

• The Water School 

• U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering 

Commencement questions can be directed to commencement@fgcu.edu.  

Wings Up!