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SPRING 2023 Commencement

A Celebration Like No Other

Graduate Hooding and Commencement Ceremony

calendar icon Thursday, May 11, 2023

map-marker icon  Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center

clock icon 6:00 PM

Celebrating all graduate students at Augusta University 

Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony

icon Friday, May 12, 2023

map-marker icon Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center

icon 10:00 AM

Celebrating graduates from the College of Allied Health Sciences, College of Education and Human Development, College of Science and Mathematics, and School of Computer and Cyber Sciences. 

Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony

icon Friday, May 12, 2023

map-marker icon Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center

icon 2:00 PM

Celebrating graduates from the College of Nursing, Hull College of Business, and Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. 

Before Commencement

Don't forget your tickets! While tickets are digital, guests are encouraged to bring a hard copy of the ticket to the ceremony as well. Graduates, don't forget to bring your Grad Pass when you check in. This is your "ticket" into commencement and can be accessed through your Marching Order account. 

Day of Commencement

Doors will open 90 minutes prior to the start of the graduate hooding and commencement ceremony and the 10 am undergraduate ceremony. Doors will open 60 minutes prior to the beginning of the 2 pm undergraduate commencement ceremony. We ask that all graduates arrive on site in full regalia no later than an hour prior to the start of your ceremony. Please plan accordingly! 

Show Your Pride

On social media, tag Augusta University and your college's social media handles. Don't forget to use the hashtag #AUGGrad!

 

Marching Order 

Students turning their tassels at commencement

Marching Order is the system used to manage commencement operations, including graduate RSVP's, guest ticketing, graduate communications, and grad passes. Graduates must create an account in Marching Order to RSVP for the ceremony, access their guest tickets, and ensure their name is pronounced and listed correctly for the commencement ceremony.

Marching Order is open now for the Spring 2023 Commencement Ceremonies. RSVP for this spring's ceremonies now through April 13! 

Having trouble with Marching Order? Email the Graduation and Commencement Team with any questions. 

Log in to Marching Order

 

 

Look back on an experience #LikeNoOther

Feeling nostalgic leading up to commencement, graduates? Fill out one (or both!) of these Instagram story templates and tag us on social media, @aug_university. 

AU Photo MemoriesAn Experience #LikeNoOther - Memories

 

Spring 2023 Graduate Newsletter

Attention graduates! The newsletter you received in your email is listed below and includes all the important information you need to know leading up to your ceremonies. 

Spring 2023 Newsletter

spring 2023 Commencement

Important Dates to Remember

President Keel shakes student's hand at commencement

"As president and as an alumnus of Augusta University, our traditions are near and dear to me. Traditions like the ringing of our arsenal bell, which symbolizes healing and hope. And traditions like commencement, to celebrate the accomplishments and hope for the future of our graduates. These traditions create meaningful experiences that last a lifetime."

- President Brooks A. Keel, PhD

 

THURSDAY APRIL 13

Spring 2023 Commencement

GradPass RSVPs & Commencement Tickets Close

THURSDAY MAY 11

Spring 2023 Commencement

Graduate Hooding & Commencement Ceremony, 6:00 pm

FRIDAY MAY 12

Spring 2023 Commencement

Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony 1, 10:00 am

FRIDAY MAY 12

Spring 2023 Commencement

Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony 2, 2:00 pm

video icon WATCH

Fall 2022 Commencement Ceremony

Check out the replays of our fall commencement ceremonies:
 
Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony, December 17, 2022, 3 pm: 
 
Graduate Hooding and Commencement Ceremony, December 17, 2022, 6pm:
 
 
A digital copy of the program is also available for your viewing pleasure:
FALL 2022 COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM

Graduates

Before Commencement

Undergraduate, Specialist, and Graduate Academic Regalia

Academic regalia includes the cap and gown, as well as other distinguishing hoods, stoles and cords that denote traditions of academic achievement. Official Augusta University regalia is used by all participants in the graduation ceremony. Orders for regalia are limited to graduates participating in the Spring 2023 ceremonies. All other orders will be cancelled.

For Associates and Bachelor graduates:

Regalia orders may be placed online via the Jostens website or in-person at the Summerville Campus RoarStore beginning January 30 through April 5. The regalia package for associates and bachelors graduates is $49 with $12 shipping if ordered online or $59 in-store. Students need to use their AU email address to complete their order. This regalia package includes the robe, cap, and tassel. Customized stoles are permitted to wear with your cap and gown. All Associates and Bachelor graduates will keep their regalia at the conclusion of commencement. Please notify the RoarStore should you be unable to participate in commencement after ordering your regalia. 

For Masters and Specialists graduates:

Regalia orders may be placed online via the Jostens website or in-person at the Summerville Campus RoarStore beginning January 30 through April 5. The masters and specialists regalia package is $99 with $12 shipping if ordered online or $109 in-store. This regalia package includes the robe, hood, cap, and tassel. Customized stoles may be worn with your cap and gown. Hood and/or tassel colors are not guaranteed for any orders placed after March 15. Masters and Specialists graduates will keep their regalia at the conclusion of commencement.

Business attire is appropriate under the gown. The event will be a combination of standing and sitting, so make sure you dress comfortably for both. For those wearing pants, consider dark pants and shoes.

Website

Doctoral Academic Regalia

For Doctoral Graduates:

Doctoral students may rent or purchase regalia for graduation from Jostens. Doctoral students must place their order beginning January 30 through March 15. The rental regalia package for doctoral students (including PhD, DNP, DPT and EdD graduates), costs $179. All late orders will be taken in-person or by phone at the RoarStore. Rental regalia will be paid for at time of pick-up. For a $15 shipping fee, your regalia can be shipped to a home address by notifying the RoarStore with your name, ship to address, and phone number. Regalia rentals will be available for pick-up at the Summerville Campus JagStore beginning Monday, April 24.

If doctoral students wish to purchase their regalia, a package is available for $997.80. This package is only available for purchase online through the Jostens website. Students may come to the Roar Store to get measured for this regalia or submit their measurements with their order.

If regalia is rented, doctoral students must return their regalia following the ceremony. Returns can be made immediately following the ceremony, or at the Summerville Campus RoarStore during operating hours. The return deadline for rental regalia is Wednesday, May 17. Please contact the RoarStore if you have any additional questions. 

Business attire is appropriate under the gown. The event will be a combination of standing and sitting, so make sure you dress comfortably for both. For those wearing pants, consider dark pants and shoes.

Website

Faculty Academic Regalia

Faculty members need to RSVP for commencement and indicate whether or not they will need to rent regalia to participate in commencement. Regalia rental packages are available to order now through March 15 for $99. Faculty may pick up their order at the Summerville Campus RoarStore location in Washington Hall or can be shipped to you for a small fee. Contact the RoarStore if you haven't made plans for renting regalia. 

Follow the website below to learn more about what faculty need to know in preparation for commencement. 

Website

Guests

All commencement ceremonies are ticketed events; and all guests attending must have a ticket, including children. Babies younger than one year old will not require a ticket. Graduates will be given six tickets for family and friends to attend the ceremony. 

All ticket information will be announced through AU email. Students will be required to use their augusta.edu email address and student ID number to log in to the portal to claim their tickets. 

All seating is general admission and there are no VIP tickets for guests of graduates. Doors will open approximately 90 minutes prior to the start of the graduate hooding and commencement ceremony and the 10 am undergraduate commencement ceremony and 60 minutes prior to the start of the 2 pm undergraduate commencement ceremony.

If you haven't been to Augusta before, the link below will show you some more about our city, some fun things to do (and eat!) and more!

Website

Marching Order

Marching Order is the system used to manage commencement operations, including graduate RSVP's, guest ticketing, graduate communications, and grad passes. Graduates must create an account in Marching Order to access their guest tickets and ensure their name is pronounced and listed correctly for the commencement ceremony. Graduates must indicate whether or not they attend to participate in commencement through Marching Order. Graduates may use the link below to log in and access their Marching Order account. 

Website

Grad Pass vs. Name Card

Graduates will access their Grad Pass, their "ticket" into commencement, through their Marching Order account. Students can access their Grad Pass by logging into their Marching Order account they created when they submitted their RSVP and selecting "GradPass." Name cards are what students will need to have their name announced as they cross the stage. Name cards will be placed in graduates seats to use during commencement. 

Graduation Announcements

Graduation announcements and additional items may be ordered directly from the Jostens website.

Website

Dual Degree Recipients

Graduates who are graduating with dual degrees may opt to attend one ceremony or both ceremonies, depending on which ceremony their degrees are being conferred in. Contact the Graduation and Commencement Team if you have any questions: commencement@augusta.edu

Graduating with Honors

Undergraduate students graduating with honors will be designated in the commencement program. Qualifying students will be notified via email. If you're unable to pick up your honors cord prior to commencement, students may pick up their cords when checking in for commencement at the Marriott. Please make sure to bring a photo ID if picking up cords at commencement. 

Website

Legacy

Augusta University celebrates generations of families continuing our rich tradition by listing graduates whose parent, step-parent, or grandparent graduated from Augusta University or one of her legacy institutions (ex: Augusta College, Augusta State University).

Graduates who are part of our Jaguar legacy family will receive a specially designed pin for Commencement to recognize their family’s Augusta tradition. If you believe you qualify as a legacy graduate, please email our Commencement & Graduation Team, commencement@augusta.edu, with your relative's name, their graduation year and the institution they graduated from. The Office of Alumni Affairs will be in touch with these students about obtaining their legacy pin they will receive to wear at commencement.

Contact Us!

Do you still have any questions about the commencement ceremonies this semester? Email the Graduation and Commencement Team: commencement@augusta.edu. 

Graduates: for any questions you may have about your diploma or graduation application, please email gradapp@augusta.edu. 

 

Learn our Alma Mater 

"Augusta: The Bell Rings for Me" 

Get ready for commencement by learning the words to our Alma Mater!

 

Smile!

Are you stumped about where you can go to take your graduation pictures? We've got you covered! We've compiled a list of some photo opportunities around Augusta University's campuses as well as some fun spots around Downtown Augusta. Tag us in your social media posts: @aug_university

Augusta Photo Ops

 

Graduates & Guests

Day of Commencement

Guest Tickets, Seating and Special Accommodations

All commencement ceremonies are ticketed events; and all guests attending must have a ticket, including children and infants. 

All convention center seating is general admission and there are no VIP tickets for guests of graduates. Guests are not allowed on the floor before or during the ceremony. Doors will open approximately 90 minutes prior to the start of the graduate hooding and commencement ceremony and the first undergraduate commencement ceremony and 60 minutes prior to the start of the 2nd undergraduate commencement ceremony.

If your guest requires special accommodations, seating is available on a limited first-come, first-served basis. Due to limited seating in the accessible areas, a maximum of one person will be allowed to accompany the person with a disability in the designated seating area.

Parking

The Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center's address is 2 10th Street, Augusta. Students and Faculty participating in commencement will park at no charge in the Georgia Cyber Center parking deck, located at 1 11th Street, Augusta between 11th and 12th streets in Downtown Augusta. Family members of graduates may ride with their student and use this deck as well if it works best for ceremony travel accommodations. 

Commencement guests can park in the Reynolds Street parking deck at no charge and use the bridge to access the convention center. Guests who wish to park here will need to tell the parking attendant of their attendance at the AU Commencement Ceremony. Guests will not need to present vouchers upon entry or departure from this parking deck. No commencement guests will be allowed to park in the designated reserved parking spaces in the Reynolds Street parking deck.

Additionally, there are parking lots available on 9th-10th streets, many of them first come, first serve. Please plan accordingly!

ADA Parking Accommodations

ADA Parking is available at the following parking decks:

Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center Parking Garage (located at 9th & Reynolds Street)

Augusta University Nathan Deal Campus Parking Deck at the Georgia Cyber Center 

Graduation Photography

GradImages will be on site to take professional photos of your graduate that will be available for purchase following the ceremony. Text "Grad22" to 39771 for more information. 

Website

Watch Livestream

Nonticketed observers will be able to watch the ceremony live online. A playback of each ceremony will be uploaded to YouTube following the ceremonies. 

Website

Diploma Information

Graduates can expect to receive your diplomas 6-8 weeks following the end of each semester. Diplomas will be mailed to the address listed on your graduation application. Email gradapp@augusta.edu if you have any questions about your diploma issuing. 

Website

 

Commencement Speakers

man smiling on stage
woman speaking on stage
woman smiling on stage
man speaking on stage
woman laughing on stage
man speaking from stage

Brad Usry, President of Fatman's Hospitality Group (pictured on top row, left, and second row, right) and Robyn Crittenden, Managing Director of Deloitte's Government and Public Services Unit (pictured on top row, right, and second row, middle), served as the keynote speakers for our Fall 2022 Undergraduate and Graduate Commencement and Hooding Ceremonies. Thank you, Mr. Usry and Ms. Crittenden, for your time with our graduates!

Aenea Clark, an alumna of the Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (pictured middle top row), was selected as the student speaker for the Fall Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony. Jacob Sumpter (pictured first, second row), an alumni of the College of Nursing (pictured first, second row) was selected as the student speaker for the Fall Graduate Hooding and Commencement Ceremony. This could be you for the Spring 2023 commencement ceremonies! 

Applications are closed for the Spring 2023 Commencement Speaker and Soloist opportunites!

Voting is open for the 2023 Commencement Student Speakers now through Friday, March 24.

Please note, voting is only open to the class of 2023. Do NOT submit a ballot if you are not a part of the Augusta University Spring Class of 2023. 

Undergraduate Speaker Voting  Graduate Speaker Voting

Please email SGA President Dee Mallory if you have any questions. 

Meet your 2023 Keynote Speakers

woman smilingMrs. Brittany Kisner
Chair, Kevin and Brittany Kisner Foundation
Graduate Hooding and Commencement Ceremony Keynote Speaker
 

Brittany Kisner is chair of The Kevin and Brittany Kisner Foundation, a nonprofit she and her husband PGA Tour golfer Kevin Kisner established in 2016. The vision of the Kisner Foundation is for all children to have the opportunities and resources to develop into responsible adults with a bright future. Under Brittany’s leadership the Kisner Foundation has given more than $700,000 in grant funding to organizations across the CSRA who share this vision, and thousands of children in Aiken County have benefitted through the foundation’s early literacy program. In 2021, the Kisner Foundation pledged $5.3 million to establish the Kisner Foundation and Friends Center for Pediatric Development, Behavioral Health and Wellness at Children’s Hospital of Georgia, and in 2022 President Brooks A. Keel presented Kevin and Brittany Kisner and their foundation with the President's Award for outstanding philanthropy and support.

Brittany earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2009 from University of Georgia, where she met Kevin. She earned a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2010. Brittany worked as a speech language pathologist (SLP) at Children’s Hospital of Georgia for several years before the couple married in 2012 and moved to Aiken. Brittany worked in pediatric home health in Aiken County with Therapy Solutions as an SLP while also serving on the PGA TOUR Wives Association board as VP of Community Outreach. She was named to UGA’s 40 Under 40 distinguished alumni in 2020 for her impactful work at the Kisner Foundation. Brittany and Kevin have three children, Kate, 8, Henry, 5, and George, 2.

 
 
man smilingMr. Doug Burks
Founder and CEO, Security Onion Solutions
10:00 am Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony Keynote Speaker
 

Doug Burks is founder and chief executive officer of Security Onion Solutions, LLC. He launched Security Onion in 2008 to help cybersecurity teams peel back the layers of their networks and detect attackers, or as he puts it, to “make their adversaries cry.” In 2014, Burks founded Security Onion Solutions LLC to provide products and services around his Security Onion platform. Today Security Onion has more than 2 million downloads and is being used by organizations around the world. He is proud to help America’s military defenders as they use Security Onion to monitor and protect the nation's networks against cyber attacks. 

A lifelong resident of the Augusta area, Burks earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree in 2005 from Augusta State University, a legacy school of Augusta University. Throughout his career, he has held several positions including chief information security officer for Morris Communications, deputy chief security officer for Mandiant, and he has also worked for the U.S. Department of Defense and the Department of Energy. He is former president of the Greater Augusta chapter of the Information Systems Security Association and a co-founder of the BSidesAugusta cybersecurity conference. Burks is a lifelong learner and a frequent speaker at cybersecurity conferences across North America.

 
man smilingMr. Wade Rakes
CEO, Peach State Health Plan 
2:00 pm Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony Keynote Speaker

Wade Rakes is President and CEO of Peach State Health Plan, the largest insurer in the state, serving more than 1.4 million Georgians with high quality Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and Health Insurance Marketplace plans. Rakes has been with Centene Corporation, the parent company of Peach State Health Plan, since 2010. One of the largest community-focused health care companies in the world, Centene has grown from a single health plan founded in 1984 in Wisconsin to a $140 billion global company. Rakes also played a key role in the integration of Centene’s acquisitions of Health Net, Fidelis Care and WellCare and served as Centene’s first Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer.

Prior to joining Centene, Rakes was a senior advisor to Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, where he also served in the governor’s cabinet as director of public liaison. Rakes started his career in New York as special assistant to the Chairman and CEO of Showtime Networks, where he held progressively responsible positions. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Princeton University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan. Rakes played a key role in Centene/Peach State Health Plan’s $5.2 million gift in 2021 that helped the Medical College of Georgia launch the MCG 3+ Pathway Program to address the state’s critical rural physician shortage. He grew up in Henry County, Georgia, and resides in Atlanta with his husband.

Location

Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center

Both commencement ceremonies will be held at Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center in Downtown Augusta

 

Commencement News

photo from article Apply now for student commencement speaker, soloist opportunities for spring commencement

Apply now for student commencement speaker, soloist opportunities for spring commencement

The Student Government Association is accepting applications for student speakers and soloists to represent the graduating classes for the Spring 2023 commencement ceremonies.

man shaking hands with a chairperson on graduation stage

In photos: Augusta University celebrates fall ’22 graduates

More than 500 undergraduate and graduate students participated in the Fall 2022 hooding and commencement exercises.

woman and man smiling outdoors, both wearing Augusta University shirts

Commencement speakers share unique paths to graduation with peers

Aenea Clark and Jacob Sumpter have had very different higher education journeys — but both of their adventures have led them to the podium at Augusta University’s Fall 2022 Commencement ceremonies.

Lesa Wafford served in the military, is a mother of one and will graduate from the College of Allied Health Sciences

Determination leads to success for first-generation Jaguar and veteran

“I don’t think I’ve taken it all in yet. I’m just kind of living my life and doing what’s best at the moment and taking the opportunities that are given to me," said Lesa Wafford.

Show Your Jaguar Pride

Celebrate with Us

We encourage the entire University community, including graduates, families, friends, faculty, staff, students, and alumni, to post their photos and messages on social media to honor the moment and celebrate our graduates using the commencement hashtag:

#AUGGrad