Dear Class of 2026,  

Commencement week at Tulane is an experience like no other, and we cannot wait to welcome your friends and families to New Orleans to celebrate your accomplishments. As we begin the countdown to May, please read the following message in its entirety. It contains information for all students and guests.

The Unified Commencement ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 16, 5 p.m. at the Caesars Superdome. At this special milestone ceremony, which will feature an academic procession, keynote speaker, and live jazz, President Michael A. Fitts will officially confer degrees upon all Tulane University degree candidates (undergraduate, graduate, and professional).

In addition to the Unified Commencement ceremony, graduates are invited to the ceremony of the school awarding their degree. At these ceremonies, graduates’ names are called individually as they cross the stage. Visit the Commencement website for the schedule of school ceremonies.

All students intending to participate in Commencement exercises must complete their application for graduation by April 8, 2026 to have their names published in the Commencement program. The graduation application link can be accessed through the student tab of the Gibson online portal. For more information regarding the process to apply for graduation, please visit the Commencement website.

Students who have selected the confidentiality option in their Gibson account will not have their names listed in the Commencement program or other public reports. Their families will also not receive communications about Commencement or graduation. To update confidentiality settings, students must make changes in the Gibson portal by April 8, 2026.

Tickets will be required for attendance at the Unified Commencement in the Caesars Superdome. Instructions for requesting tickets (up to 20 per graduate) will be shared in April via email and the Commencement website.

Students must wear regalia at all in-person ceremonies to participate and/or cross the stage. We recommend ordering as soon as possible to ensure that regalia arrives in time. The final date for online orders of Bachelor, Master, and Doctoral souvenir regalia is April 12, 2026 via Oak Hall's Tulane portal. Online orders will ship directly to students. For more information regarding regalia, please visit the Commencement website.

Visit the Travel Information page for details about special discounts and benefits for Tulane travelers attending Spring Commencement.

Congratulations!

2026 Commencement Planning Team