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.

Tickets:

• Graduates will claim their tickets through the Tassel software.
• Graduates do not need a ticket if you are walking across the stage.
• Extra tickets are not guaranteed. If extras become available, FGCU will announce how to claim them before commencement.
• Students who are not walking across the stage must have a ticket.
• All other guests must have ticket to enter the Arena.

Ceremony:

• The ceremony is expected to last about 2-2.5 hours.
• There is no rehearsal for the ceremony.
• Strobe Lighting Warning: Graduates, please note that strobe lighting will be used during the ceremony. If you are sensitive to flashing lights, use caution.

Gown Return:

• Gowns and hoods are rented. Graduates can return gowns and hoods to the Bookstore trailer, outside the arena, at the conclusion of the ceremony.
• Graduates can also return gowns and hoods to the bookstore or ship it back to the vendor. A prepaid return label was included in your regalia order if you placed the order online. Gowns and hoods must be returned by December 19th.
• Caps can be decorated and kept as a keepsake.

Security Measures:

Upon entry to Alico Arena for commencement, please note the following:

1. Screening Process: Upon entry, visitors will pass through the weapon detection system. This process is non-invasive and designed to minimize wait times.
2. Prohibited Items: If the system detects any prohibited items, a secondary search will be conducted, with security and law enforcement personnel taking appropriate action as needed. The list of prohibited items can be found here.
3. Compliance: All visitors, including employees and contractors, must participate in the screening process.
4. Privacy Assurance: The system respects personal privacy and is designed to detect only prohibited items without storing personal information.

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.
• Strobe Lighting Warning: This event will include flashing and strobe lighting effects that may affect individuals with photosensitivity or epilepsy. Guest discretion is advised.

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:

• Students claim their tickets when registering for their ceremony through the Tassel software.
• 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. 

Security Measures:

Upon entry to Alico Arena for commencement, please note the following:

1. Screening Process: Upon entry, visitors will pass through the weapon detection system. This process is non-invasive and designed to minimize wait times.
2. Prohibited Items: If the system detects any prohibited items, a secondary search will be conducted, with security and law enforcement personnel taking appropriate action as needed. The list of prohibited items can be found here.
3. Compliance: All visitors, including employees and contractors, must participate in the screening process.
4. Privacy Assurance: The system respects personal privacy and is designed to detect only prohibited items without storing personal information.

Caps & Gowns

• To order your cap and gown, please visit the Herff Jones website. Cap and gown orders placed March 16–27 will require expedited shipping. This is the only available shipping option during this period to ensure delivery before commencement. 
• Cap and gowns must be rented through the Herff Jones website, not from a third party.
• Gowns and hoods are rented, not purchased to keep.
• Caps can be decorated and kept as a keepsake.

Gown Return:

• Graduates can return gowns and hoods to the Bookstore trailer, outside the arena, at the conclusion of the ceremony.
• Graduates can also return gowns and hoods to the bookstore or ship it back to Herff Jones by May 10th. A prepaid return label was included in your gown order if you placed the order online.

Stoles and Cords:

• First Gen stoles-
  • Students will receive an email with information about where they can pick up their First Gen stole. 
• White FGCU stoles-
  • Optional and are available for purchase for everyone through the Herff Jones website when ordering your cap and gown. Also available in the FGCU Bookstore on April 15th, if you did not pre-order one.
• Stoles
  • Stoles cannot exceed 5.5 inches in width. The First Gen and FGCU stoles meet this guideline.
• GPA cords-
  • This is only for Bachelors students with a 3.5 GPA or higher. Distributed by the FGCU Bookstore in person only, starting April 15th. 

Order your cap and gown

When can I claim tickets?
Each student that applied to graduate in Gulfline and meets FGCU's eligibility requirements will receive an e-mail the week of February 18th from commencement@fgcu.edu to register to participate in their designated commencement ceremony. After registering to participate in their designated ceremony, each student will be able to claim up to 4 tickets for their specific ceremony. 

Will extra tickets be available?

Further Information will be released as we get closer to the ceremony

Does every guest need a ticket?
Yes. All guests, including children age 3 and older, must have a ticket.

How do I use my ticket?
Tickets can be printed or saved to a phone. We recommend downloading them before arriving. Once scanned, tickets cannot be reused for re-entry.

Are tickets transferable to another ceremony?
Each ticket has a unique barcode. Duplicate tickets will not be accepted. Tickets are valid only for the ceremony listed.

Does FGCU sell guest tickets?
No. Be cautious of online resales—scam tickets with duplicate barcodes will not work.

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:

Guests and Grads may only park in garage 1 near the Cohen Student Union or garage 3 near Howard Hall. Shuttles will be available for pick up and drop off.

Guests parking in garage 1 can enjoy a 1/2 mile walk along the boardwalk toward the arena. From garage 3 it is a .8 mile walk to the arena.

No 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 ADA parking spaces located in the front of Alico Arena and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. An ADA person parking permit or license plate is required.

For other locations on campus, use our interactive map:

FGCU CAMPUS MAP

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

Ensuring the safety and security of Florida Gulf Coast University’s students, staff, faculty and visitors is our top priority. Over the coming months, the university will enhance its campus security measures and law enforcement presence at FGCU. Among these efforts is the addition of OPENGATE®, a walkthrough weapon detection system that will be used at Alico Arena. This system allows for faster screening of individuals with bags, backpacks and purses.

Upon entry to Alico Arena for commencement, please note the following:

1. Screening Process: Upon entry, visitors will pass through the weapon detection system. This process is non-invasive and designed to minimize wait times.
2. Prohibited Items: If the system detects any prohibited items, a secondary search will be conducted, with security and law enforcement personnel taking appropriate action as needed. The list of prohibited items can be found here.
3. Compliance: All visitors, including employees and contractors, must participate in the screening process.
4. Privacy Assurance: The system respects personal privacy and is designed to detect only prohibited items without storing personal information.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we work to maintain a safe and welcoming environment.

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

FGCU has partnered with Pro Pics to take professional portraits of all graduates during the ceremonies. Photos will be available for purchase after the ceremony. There is no cost to have your photo taken and no obligation to purchase. If you would like to receive your photo proofs, please click here to register and upload a selfie.

If you have any questions regarding photos, please contact Pro Pics at support@propicsusa.com

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. 

Register for Photos

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.

STUDENT WORKER FORMFULL TIME EMPLOYEE WORKER FORM

Dear Students, 

There are three weeks left to sign up to participate in spring 2026 commencement. The deadline to register is Friday, April 10. 

Eligible students should have received email notifications from Tassel (commencement@fgcu.edu) with instructions on how to register for commencement (the event) and the process for claiming four guest tickets.     

Missing the deadline means:   

• Your name won’t be printed in the commencement program, a keepsake for you and your family.   
• Guest tickets will not be guaranteed. Graduates may be able to walk, but guests cannot watch in person at Alico Arena.  

Need to order your cap, gown and class ring?  

To place an order, students can shop online at herff.ly/fgcu. Online orders for express shipping are open March 16-27. If you missed the deadline for online orders, in-person orders begin April 15 at the FGCU Bookstore. Honor cords for students with a 3.5 GPA or higher will be distributed in the bookstore starting April 15. Regalia must be returned by May 10. 

Requesting additional tickets   

At this time, FGCU is only able to offer four tickets per student due to the number of graduates at each ceremony and capacity limitations at Alico Arena. You have until April 10 to claim your tickets. Should additional tickets become available for a ceremony, FGCU will make an announcement the week of April 15 with instructions on how to claim them. All five 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.    

Questions?   

Visit the commencement website, www.fgcu.edu/commencement, for more information. Commencement questions can be directed to commencement@fgcu.edu. Questions about graduation applications should be directed to Records & Registration at orr@fgcu.edu. Questions about finishing your degree requirements should be directed to University Advising. 

Wings Up!   

Dear Students,  

FGCU’s spring commencement is May 2-3, and we are celebrating a record-breaking class of more than 2,600 students who are eligible to graduate – the largest in our university’s history. We have expanded to five ceremonies this semester, which means we have more roles to fill! 

Help us make commencement a great experience by 

signing up as a volunteer. You will earn service‐learning hours!  

Student volunteers 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, May 2 
• Sunday, May 3  

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, May 1, and your 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.  

I have other questions. Who should I contact? 

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

Wings Up! 

Dear Employees, 

This spring, FGCU is celebrating a record-breaking class of more than 2,600 students who are eligible to graduate – the largest in our university’s history. To ensure every graduate and their guests enjoy a safe, comfortable and meaningful experience, FGCU is expanding to five commencement ceremonies (May 2-3) at Alico Arena.  

As we prepare for these ceremonies, we need your help. 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 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.   
    
2. Sign up to participate in a ceremony (faculty-only)

Faculty members who sign up to participate in a ceremony have the opportunity to wear their regalia, sit with graduates and be part of the commencement march. Sign up by filling out this form. If you do not own regalia, you may rent it through the FGCU Bookstore. To order regalia in your institution’s specific colors, email Tanya Preisinger at AM8356@BNCollege.com or call (239) 590-1150 by Friday, March 20. (Faculty renting regalia from the bookstore will receive a 25% employee discount.) After March 20, you will be fitted with FGCU regalia colors, as supplies allow, through the bookstore. 

Here is the schedule for the five ceremonies:  

Saturday, May 2  

Ceremony 1 | 9 a.m.   

• Lutgert College of Business  

Ceremony 2 | 2 p.m.  

• College of Education  
• Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship  
• The Water School  

Ceremony 3 | 6:30 p.m.   

• Marieb College of Health & Human Services  

Sunday, May 3  

Ceremony 4 | 11 a.m.   

• College of Arts & Sciences (minus psychology and integrated studies majors)  

Ceremony 5 | 3:30 p.m.   

• College of Arts & Sciences (only psychology and integrated studies majors)   
• A. Whitaker College of Engineering

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

Good afternoon, FGCU Students!    

Registration for spring 2026 commencement is now open. Earlier today, all students who applied to graduate and have been verified as eligible to graduate should have received an email from Tassel (commencement@fgcu.edu).    

The email from Tassel includes:  

• Instructions on how to register for your commencement ceremony.  

• The process for claiming four guest tickets by the April 10 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 four tickets per student due to the number of graduates at each ceremony and capacity limitations at Alico Arena. You have until April 10 to claim your tickets. Should additional tickets become available for a ceremony, FGCU will make an announcement the week of April 15 with instructions on how to claim them. All five 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, www.fgcu.edu/commencement, for more information. Commencement questions can be directed to commencement@fgcu.edu. Questions about graduation applications should be directed to Records & Registration at orr@fgcu.edu. Questions about finishing your degree requirements should be directed to University Advising.  

Wings Up! 

Dear FGCU Students, 

FGCU is celebrating spring 2026 commencement at Alico Arena May 2-3. Here is the schedule for the five ceremonies: 

Saturday, May 2 

Ceremony 1 | 9 a.m.  

• Lutgert College of Business 

Ceremony 2 | 2 p.m. 

• College of Education 

• Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship 

• The Water School 

Ceremony 3 | 6:30 p.m.  

• Marieb College of Health & Human Services 

Sunday, May 3 

Ceremony 4 | 11 a.m.  

• College of Arts & Sciences (minus psychology and integrated studies majors) 

Ceremony 5 | 3:30 p.m.  

• College of Arts & Sciences (only psychology and integrated studies majors)  

• U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering 

Now that you know when your ceremony is going to be, view the checklist here to make sure you are eligible to participate, understand your next steps for spring commencement and review ticket information. 

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

Wings Up! 

Good afternoon, Colleagues! 

FGCU is celebrating spring 2026 commencement at Alico Arena May 2-3. For the first time in FGCU’s history, we are hosting five ceremonies – and we will need your help to support them. Details and instructions on how FGCU staff and faculty can pitch in to make all the ceremonies a great experience for students and their guests will be released soon. 

Here is the schedule for the five ceremonies: 

Saturday, May 2 

Ceremony 1 | 9 a.m.  

• Lutgert College of Business 

Ceremony 2 | 2 p.m. 

• College of Education 
• Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship 
• The Water School 

Ceremony 3 | 6:30 p.m.  

• Marieb College of Health & Human Services 

Sunday, May 3

Ceremony 4 | 11 a.m.  

• College of Arts & Sciences (minus psychology and integrated studies majors) 

Ceremony 5 | 3:30 p.m.  

• College of Arts & Sciences (only psychology and integrated studies majors)  
• U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering

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

Wings Up! 

The weekend of Saturday, December 5th and Sunday, December 6th

Colleges and ceremonies will be determined during the beginning of the fall semester.