Are You Ready for Commencement? Here’s What You Need to Know
Super Bowl champion, Ole Miss alumnus to address graduates
OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi is ready to celebrate more than 5,500 graduates at its 172nd Commencement ceremonies from May 7 to 10.
Morning Convocation is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday (May 10) in the Grove.
The program is a campuswide celebration of graduation that includes university awards and the main Commencement speaker. Students and faculty, dressed in academic regalia, sit in the Grove with the banners of the university's schools and colleges.
A.J. Brown, Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagle, former Ole Miss standout wide receiver and philanthropist, will give the Commencement address on the Grove stage.
More than 3,900 May graduates, 630 December 2024 graduates and 940 August 2025 graduates will be among those participating in ceremonies throughout the week.
Hand-held signs are not permitted in any Commencement ceremonies to avoid blocking the line of sight for others.
For more details on the events, visit the university's Commencement website, which includes travel, parking and schedule information to help graduates and their guests.
Full Commencement Schedule
All events will be held at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss, unless otherwise noted.
Wednesday (May 7)
- 9:30 a.m. – Master of Business Administration ceremony, Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts
- Noon – College of Liberal Arts master’s degree ceremony, Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts
- 3:30 p.m. – School of Applied Sciences master’s degree ceremony, Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts
- 6 p.m. – Graduate School doctoral hooding ceremony
Thursday (May 8)
- 11 a.m. – School of Pharmacy
- 3:30 p.m. – School of Law
- 7 p.m. – Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College
Friday (May 9)
- 9 a.m. – School of Education
- Noon – School of Journalism and New Media
- 3 p.m. – School of Applied Sciences
- 6:30 p.m. – School of Business Administration
Saturday (May 10)
- 9 a.m. – Convocation, the Grove. Rain location: The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss
- 11 a.m. – General Studies, Gertrude C. Ford Center for Performing Arts. This is a ticketed event.
- 11 a.m. – Patterson School of Accountancy
- 2:30 p.m. – School of Engineering
- 6 p.m. – College of Liberal Arts
Parking and Transportation
Parking for ceremonies in the Pavilion will be available in the Pavilion Parking Garage and in lots along Hill Drive. For ceremonies in the Ford Center, guest parking will be in surrounding lots.
The university's 172nd Commencement ceremonies will be held May 7-10, with morning Convocation set for Saturday (May 11) on the Grove Stage. Photo by Thomas Graning/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
Carpooling is strongly encouraged, and parking is not permitted along roadways, sidewalks or grassy areas. Oxford-University Transit serves the city of Oxford and the university. serves the city of Oxford and the university.
Complimentary shuttles will be available in all lots surrounding the Pavilion. A shuttle tent in front of the Pavilion will allow guests to wait for the shuttles that will return them to their vehicles after ceremonies conclude.
No parking or drop-off will be available on University Avenue or the Circle for Convocation. Once Convocation starts, vehicle access to the Grove is limited until the ceremony concludes.
For the most up-to-date information, consult the university’s Commencement website.
Accessibility Services
ADA parking: Accessible parking for all Pavilion ceremonies is recommended in the Pavilion garage off Hill Drive.
Besides the morning Convocation, the university conducts separate Commencement ceremonies for each campus school and for advanced degrees on May 7-19. Photo by Thomas Graning/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
Complimentary shuttles will be available in all lots surrounding the Pavilion. A shuttle tent in front of the Pavilion will allow guests to wait for the shuttles that will return them to their vehicles after ceremonies conclude.
ADA parking for ceremonies at the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts is available in designated spots in the Ford Center lot.
ADA seating: ADA seating is available in the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts. Speak with the ushers upon arrival for assistance. ADA seating is available in the Pavilion and for morning convocation in the Grove. See the 2025 Commencement site for details.
ASL interpreters and closed captioning: Each ceremony will be interpreted by ASL interpreters, and closed captioning is available.
Emergency Medical Services
All information booths and ceremony venues will have basic first aid kits. EMS will be staged at various locations and available for rapid response. For immediate assistance, dial 911 or call the University Police Department, 662-915-4911.
Campus Dining Options
All campus dining locations will be open regular hours on Monday and Tuesday (May 5-6).
Wednesday (May 7)
Student Union:
- Chick-fil-A: 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Panda Express: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Blenz Bowls: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Qdoba: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Food trucks:
- The Tea: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
- Pick Thai: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Hotbox Hibachi: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
- G&G Fry: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Thursday (May 8)
Student Union:
- Chick-fil-A: 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Panda Express: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Blenz Bowls: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Qdoba: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Food trucks:
- The Tea: 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
- Hotbox Hibachi: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Pick Thai: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Friday (May 9)
Student Union:
- Chick-fil-A: 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Panda Express: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Blenz Bowls: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Qdoba: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Food trucks:
- The Tea: 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
- Pick Thai: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Saturday (May 10)
Student Union:
- Chick-fil-A: 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Panda Express: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Blenz Bowls: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Qdoba: 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Top: The university celebrate more than 5,500 graduates at its 172nd Commencement ceremonies in May. The ceremonies mark the end of a college journey and the beginning of a career for many. Photo by Kevin Bain/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services