Frequently Asked Questions

Are tickets required? Do I need to register myself and my guests for Commencement Week/Weekend?

American Struggle Conversation | Friday, May 8 at 2 p.m. | Guerry Auditorium
Tickets are required and may be reserved using this form. Each family may reserve up to four tickets. There is no charge, but all guests must register and present a ticket for entry. Seating is limited, and tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets may be picked up in front of Guerry Auditorium on Friday from 11 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. The event will also be live-streamed on Zoom here.

Baccalaureate | Saturday, May 9 at 10 a.m.
Jon Meacham will deliver the Baccalaureate address on Saturday morning in All Saints’ Chapel. Because seating in the Chapel is limited and reserved first for graduates, faculty, and service participants, guest seating will be managed carefully. The ticket process will work as follows:

  • Tuesday, May 5, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.: Graduates may pick up one paper ticket for a family member at a table outside All Saints’ Chapel. Sewanee Angels will staff the table and keep a list of students who retrieve a ticket.
  • Saturday, May 9, 8 a.m.–9 a.m.: If any remaining tickets remain after the initial distribution, they will be made available at a table in the Wellness Commons on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that it is unlikely that there will be additional seating beyond the one ticket per graduate. 
  • All tickets will be collected at the Chapel doors. Doors will close to non-student guests at 9:45 a.m., and late arrivals will be asked to watch the service on monitors on the main Quad or in Guerry Auditorium. A live-stream will be available.

Commencement | Sunday, May 10 at 10 a.m.
There are no tickets for Commencement and there is no limit on the number of guests who may attend. All guests will watch via live-stream, as only students are permitted to enter the chapel. We will set up approximately 2,500–3,000 chairs on the Quad, and Guerry Auditorium and McClurg Dining Hall will also be open and equipped with the live-stream. We anticipate having ample seating for all guests.

**Please note that large bags and backpacks are not permitted in All Saints' Chapel, Guerry Auditorium, or any other campus event spaces.

What if it rains?

The Commencement ceremony in All Saints' Chapel will take place rain or shine! If it rains, we have a number of indoor locations where you can watch the live-stream of the ceremony, but we ask that you plan accordingly.

What's the process for ordering lunch tickets from McClurg on Saturday and Sunday?

If you would like to buy tickets for the lunch at McClurg following Baccalaureate, or the picnic box lunch following Commencement, we strongly recommend purchasing those in advance.

Do I need to purchase lunch tickets for my student?

Yes, McClurg will close on the last day of exams, Thursday, May 7, at 2 p.m. The meal plan ends with the academic year so we recommend purchasing lunch tickets for your family, including your student, for these two events.

Is there a charge to attend the All-Campus Celebration on Saturday, May 9, from 7-9 p.m.?

No, this event is free of charge for families of graduating seniors.

What is appropriate attire for the weekend?

Dress comfortably and appropriately for the weather. You’ll see everything from shorts to suits. Baccalaureate is essentially a church service, so many women choose the equivalent of a Sunday dress. We also recommend avoiding pointy heels, as you’ll be walking on grass.

What should I do if a member of my family has accessibility or mobility needs?

Please note that most events throughout the weekend will take place on central campus. Various roads will open and close at different times to allow for safe pedestrian traffic and to accommodate those with mobility limitations.

For the American Struggle conversation with Jon Meacham on Friday, May 8, at 2 p.m. in Guerry Auditorium, drop off for those with mobility issues will be at the corner of University Avenue and Georgia Avenue. Please note that Georgia Avenue will be closed to through traffic.

On Saturday and Sunday for Baccalaureate and Commencement services, guests needing special assistance may be dropped off on Georgia Avenue at the sidewalk between McGriff Alumni House and Guerry. Student Angels will be available to assist guests with mobility needs and will have LSVs available to transport those who are unable to walk on their own. After drop off, please plan to park along Georgia Avenue or in the duPont Library lot.

Where can I order my gown, class ring, and graduation announcements?

The gown your student will wear for graduation is the gown they have earned throughout their time at Sewanee. Once comped, all students will have earned their gown. If you need a gown, one can be purchased at the University Bookstore or can be borrowed from the gown library. Sewanee graduates do not wear caps.

Graduation announcements can be ordered using this link. Each box of 10 announcements is $40 if your student picks them up on campus and $50 if you prefer that we mail them to you. You can order your class ring directly through Jostens using this link.

Will there by a photographer?

Professional photographers have been contracted to take two photos of each graduate receiving their diploma in the chapel. Information will be sent to you after the weekend with details on how to access these photos.

What should I make sure NOT to miss?

The Class of 2026 All-Campus Celebration on Spencer Quad, Saturday night from 7-9 p.m., is a must-do! We'll have a full dinner, drinks, fireworks, and live music from Entice (a Sewanee favorite!). This is a great way to meet and mingle with your student's friends, their families, and members of the faculty and staff.

You'll also want to be present at the end of Commencement on Sunday, May 10—when the service is over, graduates will leave All Saints' and walk through a lineup of cheering faculty members. It's always meaningful to see faculty applauding the students they've watched grow and learn over four years. Viewing is best on the Quad near University Avenue, but make sure you leave room for the faculty to line the sidewalks. (Also, note that Commencement doesn't end immediately after diplomas are awarded! The program includes a charge to the graduates, the Vice-Chancellor's remarks, and the singing of Sewanee's Alma Mater.)