During the Ceremony

Ceremony Logistics for Graduates

This guide will help each of our graduates know what to expect during the In-Person Commencement Ceremonies held at the Pan American Center. We look forward to seeing your cap decorations. Share them before the ceremony with hash tag #nmsugrad.

Before Entering Ceremony

  • Graduates should print their registered GradPass, before April, 2024. This is the graduate’s ticket across the stage and into the venue.
  • Bring no bags or personal items, NMSU has a clear bag policy should graduates need to bring anything.
  • Plan your route to campus accordingly, the ceremony starts exactly at the announced time, graduates need to be there one hour early for seating.

Ceremony Entrance

  • Graduates will enter through the East side of the Pan American Center, the side facing the Organ Mountains.
  • Graduates should arrive one hour prior to the ceremony for check in and seating.
  • There is no rehearsal ceremony.
  • The GradPass is the graduate ticket across the stage, please bring this printed.
  • Graduates should leave their gowns unzipped entering the venue, the NMSU Police will conduct a gown check before entering the venue.

Procession and Degree Recognition

  • Graduates will be seated by college.
  • Doctoral Graduates should have their Doctoral hood draped on their arm and not around their neck yet.
  • The Ceremony begins promptly, graduates should arrive one hour early for seating.
  • All candidates need to be prepared to present their GradPass to the Commencement Scanner for personal recognition before proceeding to the stage.
  • During the ceremony, professional photos will be taken by Grad Images. Graduates can view their Commencement photos online www.gradimages.com or by calling 1-800-424-3686. GradImages will email these photos to each graduate’s email.
  • There will be a formal recessional and all graduates will be marched in an orderly fashion out of the venue.
  • Graduates should plan to meet their guests at their vehicles at the conclusion of the event.
  • Each ceremony will last approximately 2 hours.
  • The ceremonies will be streamed live on NMSU YouTube.