Convocation

Spring 2026 Convocation

May 11 and 12

Thunderbird's spring 2026 convocation ceremony will take place Tuesday, May 12 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. MST at Grady Gammage Memorial Auditorium, a multipurpose performing arts center located at 1200 South Forest Avenue along East Apache Boulevard in Tempe, Arizona.

Please find additional details below regarding ASU Commencement ceremonies, regalia and more.

Ceremonies will take place on Monday, May 11 and Tuesday, May 12.

Monday, May 11 at 9 a.m. | ASU Graduate Commencement (Desert Financial Arena, Tempe, AZ)
Monday, May 11 at 7:30 p.m. | ASU Undergraduate Commencement (Mountain America Stadium, Frank Kush Field, Tempe, AZ)
Tuesday, May 12 at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) | Thunderbird School of Global Management (ASU Gammage, Tempe, AZ)

Other special interest ceremonies can be found here.

Grad Pack Pickups

To celebrate your upcoming graduation, all spring 2026 graduates are invited to visit the Alumni Lounge (Room 261) and to pick up your graduate pack that includes your official alumni pin. Grab a light snack and learn how to stay connected with the global T-bird alumni network. Pickup dates and times to be announced soon.

Image of undergraduate students during convocation

Convocation tickets

Tickets are required for the Thunderbird Convocation ceremony.

Due to the number of students participating in Thunderbird's convocation, entrance into the ASU Gammage Auditorium will require tickets, which will be available at no charge, for all attending guests.

NOTE: There is no limit to the number of guests students may invite to attend the convocation. However, each guest must be present to receive their ticket.

Tickets will be distributed at the Southwest walkway outside of ASU Gammage (see map). Attendees can pick up their tickets starting 30 minutes before doors open, no earlier. Doors to the event will open at 3 p.m. Fifteen minutes after the event starts, tickets can be picked up at either entrance to the theatre from House Staff.

Accessible needs will be accommodated at time of ticket pick up. Patrons that require ADA seating can be accompanied by one companion.

Safety and security policies

ASU Gammage values the safety and security of its patrons and has implemented enhanced security measures. Patrons will be screened using metal detectors and limited to one carry-in item per person. ASU Gammage does not use metal detectors that use magnetic waves in them. They are safe to use for any guest who has a medical implant that is sensitive to magnetic waves, such as a pacemaker.
Clear Bag Policy: All guests bringing a bag of any kind must meet the following specifications: clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC (Max size: 12”x6”x12”) or be a small clutch bag approximately the size of a hand (Max size: 4.5”x6.4”).
Prohibited items: Helium balloons are not permitted inside ASU Gammage. If balloons are brought to the venue, guests will be asked to dispose of them before entering. Banners and/or signs of any shape and size are not permitted inside of any ceremony venue.

Charla_Lena_graduate student convocation photo

Register to walk in the convocation ceremony

All ASU graduation ceremonies require reservations (RSVPs) from graduating students who wish to participate. Registration for spring 2026 ceremonies opens the week of March 2. Students will register via Tassel on their MyASU homepage (RSVP Ceremonies link) to attend the events, including undergraduate commencement, graduate commencement, Thunderbird Convocation, and special interest convocations. Failure to properly submit the form will result in your registration not being recorded. Ceremony registration for spring 2026 will close on Monday, April 6, this is the deadline to RSVP. Be sure to register in advance of that date. Learn more at: https://graduation.asu.edu/rsvp-attend-ceremony.

Graduation Awards Ceremony and Reception

The Spring 2026 Graduating Student Awards Ceremony and Reception will take place on Tuesday, May 12 from 1 to 2 p.m. MST inside the Haas Digital Global Forum located on the first floor of Thunderbird Global Headquarters. This event is for the graduate receiving an award and their guests only. Award notices will go out approximately three weeks from the date of convocation.

Image of Thunderbird graduates carrying their country's flags in the flag ceremony

Parade of Flags

Thunderbird graduates have the opportunity to represent their home countries in the long-lived tradition of the Parade of Flags during convocation on May 12. Parade of Flag representatives will need to be available for a short rehearsal at ASU Gammage in the afternoon on that day. Participating students will carry their flags and share a short fact about their country during the ceremony.

Graduating students interested in volunteering for the Parade of Flags should fill out this form. The form will be open Tuesday, February 17 at 10 a.m. - Tuesday, April 21 at 5 p.m.

Flag Bearer volunteers are selected on a first submitted, first selected basis, and further details will be provided to the selected graduates after the registration deadline.

Regalia Orders

All graduating students must wear proper regalia. Undergraduate students wear maroon. Graduate students wear black. Graduating students may purchase regalia directly from Herff Jones. The first deadline to place this order is April 10, with a final deadline of April 21. Regalia will be mailed to the address the graduate provides. After this deadline, regalia may be purchased at the ASU Bookstore in person until the day of graduation. Thunderbird Graduate regalia is only available at the Downtown Bookstore.

Herff Jones will also host an online grad fair with package discounts from Monday, February 16 until Friday, March 6. Graduating students will receive an individualized link via email on the morning (AZ time) of February 16.

Students can email [email protected] or text +1.480.219.3247 for questions regarding regalia. Please include your name, school you attend, order number (if applicable), contact information, and your question or concern.

Faculty deadline to purchase regalia through Herff Jones is April 10. Regalia will be shipped to the address provided during checkout. Custom faculty regalia can be purchased online here through April 10.

Image of Thunderbird graduates in full regalia marching in the flag procession

Diplomas

If all university academic requirements are met, students will receive their diplomas in the mail six to eight weeks after the degree conferral date. Graduates will receive an email notification via their ASU email account when their diploma has been mailed. Diplomas are mailed to the student's diploma mailing address, which can be viewed and updated from My ASU. For more information, visit this website.

Regalia Photos

Once you receive* your cap and gown you may attend one of the following GradImages photography sessions where you may purchase a photo package. This is entirely optional. After the photo session, you will receive your photo proofs via email with instructions on how to select photos to purchase. Learn more and book an appointment here: https://graduation.asu.edu/ceremonies/memories

*Regalia must be individually purchased.

Date	Time	Campus
Monday, April 13	9 a.m. – 6 p.m.	Downtown Campus
Tuesday, April 14	9 a.m. – 6 p.m.	Polytechnic Campus
Wednesday, April 15	9 a.m. – 6 p.m.	West Valley Campus
Thursday, April 16	9 a.m. – 6 p.m.	Tempe Campus
Friday, April 17	9 a.m. – 6 p.m.	Tempe Campus
Saturday, April 18	9 a.m. – 6 p.m.	Tempe Campus

FAQs

What should I bring to robing?

May I bring a sign or flag to wave so my guests can see me?

I want to sit with my friends! How can I make sure we’re all together?

I’m carrying a flag. How can I sit with my friends?

Can I decorate my cap?

My family wants to take pictures. Can I do that in the venue after the ceremony?

May I say a few words when getting my diploma or on stage?

Can I request an exception and have someone (child, parent, spouse) come on stage with me?

Click here to view a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding spring 2026 ceremonies. For further inquiries, please contact [email protected].

Information for convocation guests

Locate hotel accommodations, options with special rates and then select “Phoenix Airport/Downtown Phoenix campus” for options closest to Thunderbird.

If you arrive early to celebrate with your graduate, we invite you to join us in our historic Pub.

Pub Hours: Monday thru Friday: 12 - 5 p.m.
Additional graduation celebrations may be added to the schedule.
Interested in hosting a private graduation celebration? Ask for a quote at: https://wkf.ms/3Y4dEVC

We know you look forward to celebrating your graduate on the day of convocation; however, to ensure everyone has an amazing ceremony experience, we ask that you prepare to say “see you later” around 2:30 p.m. Graduates are required to line up, process in, and sit separately from their families for the ceremony.

Students must be inside the venue and checked-in no later than 6:40 p.m.

We ask that families and friends attending the ceremony be at the venue and seated by 6:30 p.m. Convocation day photos may be taken back at Thunderbird Global Headquarters or outside the venue (ASU Gammage) after convocation. The ceremony will end approximately at 8:30/8:45 p.m.

Parking and shuttle information

Parking details

ASU Gammage is located at 1200 S. Forest Ave. Tempe, AZ 85281 on the campus of Arizona State University. Parking is conveniently located in the ASU Gammage Lot (also referenced as Lot 3 on some maps). Please be prepared to navigate a short distance to the auditorium from your vehicle. There is also a drop off area outside the venue (along NE corner) for those needing closer access to disembark passengers before parking. There is no cost to park. More information can be found at: https://www.asugammage.com/visitors/parking.

View map of parking and faculty entrance location at Gammage Auditorium.

Directions to ASU Gammage Lot (Lot 3)

From US 60 – Exit S. Mill Ave. (Exit 173) – turn north onto S. Mill Ave. to 13th St./Apache Blvd.– turn east onto 13th St./Apache Blvd. – turn north onto S. Forest Ave. to Lemon St. – entrance to lot on your left
From Loop 101 (northbound) – Exit E. Broadway Rd. continue on Frontage (Price Rd.) to E. Apache Blvd. – turn west onto E. Apache Blvd. to S. Forest Ave. – turn north onto S. Forest Ave. to Lemon St. – entrance to lot on your left
From Loop 101 (southbound) – Exit E. University Dr. continue on Frontage (Price Rd.) to E. Apache Blvd. – turn west onto E. Apache Blvd. to S. Forest Ave. – turn north onto S. Forest Ave. to Lemon St. – entrance to lot on your left
From Loop 202 –Exit N. Scottsdale Rd. – turn south onto N. Scottsdale Rd to Apache Blvd. - turn west onto E. Apache Blvd. to S. Forest Ave. – turn north onto S. Forest Ave. to Lemon St.

ASU shuttles

Graduates attending the convocation ceremony at ASU’s Tempe campus are encouraged to take advantage of the ASU intercampus shuttle from the Downtown Phoenix campus if they prefer not to drive. The shuttle provides a convenient and free transportation option for students, faculty, and staff.

Please plan ahead and allow for extra travel time, as multiple shuttles may be in service during peak hours, but schedules can be impacted by traffic delays. For real-time shuttle locations and estimated arrival times, use the ASU Shuttle Tracker to stay informed.