Please review your catalog for specific degree requirements. University graduation requirements are also posted in the catalog and may be found at www.harding.edu/catalog.

By university policy, to be approved to walk in the May commencement ceremony, candidates must have all degree requirements completed by the date of commencement. As the only exception, candidates who will complete degree requirements by enrolling at Harding in their final class during the Harding Intersession term are allowed to participate. Students who complete their degree during Intersession, while they may participate in the May commencement ceremony, their degrees will be awarded after Intersession and they are considered summer graduates.

Students who complete degree requirements after May degrees are verified will participate in the December ceremony, with the exception of pharmacy students who complete degree requirements after May degrees are awarded, and they will participate in the next May ceremony. Similarly, students who complete degree requirements after the December degrees are checked and verified will participate in the upcoming May commencement ceremony.

Get professional 

Students will be able to visit a booth set up for resume building and interact with the variety of career services the university has to offer.

Get connected

The Office of Alumni Relations and Generation HU, the university’s young alumni program, will be set up with stations to meet students and begin relationships with them as they step into their new Harding roles as alumni.

Get swag

Students will have the opportunity to shop for a frame for their diplomas and pick up other various Harding apparel and souvenirs before they leave campus.

Get robed

This will also serve as the location for students to pick up their caps and gowns for commencement ceremonies.

Get excited

Grad Fest will not only provide one place for students to take care of their requirements before graduating, but it will also facilitate fun and excitement among graduates as they celebrate this milestone in their lives together. Throughout the event, we will encourage all students to participate in every opportunity involved in Grad Fest and celebrate their academic achievements as college graduates.

If you are not able to pick up your cap and gown at Grad Fest, you can go to the Bookstore website and complete the ordering information. For any additional questions you may have regarding obtaining your regalia please contact the Harding University Bookstore at 501-279-4351.

If you were not able to pick up your cap and gown at Grad Fest, you can go online to harding.shopoakhalli.com and complete the ordering information.

Beginning the week preceding the commencement ceremony, regalia may be picked up in the Harding Bookstore between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.; and on Saturday morning beginning an hour before the ceremony.

If you pre-ordered a packet, it will be ready with your name on it. Extra packets will be available by size. Be certain you get the correct color of tassel for your degree (see the section on Academic Regalia). If you were unable to order early you should contact the Harding Bookstore at 501-279-4351 with questions.

Wednesday:  After 3 p.m., the Line of March and graduation instructions are available in the "Graduation Information" section above. If your name is on the list but you do not plan to attend, please notify graduation@harding.edu, or call 501-279-4328. If your name is not on the list but you do plan to attend, please notify the office.

There will be no rehearsal for the commencement ceremony. Rather, students will be led in by faculty marshals.

Line up for candidates will be in the science building at 9:15. (Guest seating will begin at 9 a.m.)

Candidates for graduation who need special accommodations due to physical limitations must contact us at graduation@harding.edu so that needed arrangements can be made prior to the ceremony. We want to include all students who have successfully completed their program of study.

Guest attending commencement needing special accommodations will be assisted by Public Safety. Please see an usher for help. Facilities for wheelchairs and special seating is limited, available on a first-come-first-served basis, and often only allows a caregiver to sit next to the individual. We are unable to reserve seating. Handicap parking is available on South Blakeney Street, East Center Avenue, as well as, behind the Benson Auditorium. A ramp is located on the east side of the Auditorium that gives access without climbing steps. Please email graduation@harding.edu with questions.