Commencement
University Commencement
Commencement is the culmination of years of hard work—a celebration of everything our graduates have accomplished and the bright futures ahead. Florida Polytechnic University holds one ceremony each May for spring, summer, and fall graduates.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Doors Open: 12:30 PM
Ceremony Begins: 2:00 PM
RP Funding Center
George Jenkins Arena
701 W. Lime Street
Lakeland, FL 33815
Graduation Info
Stay Informed
Important dates and updates will be shared via the Weekly Phoenix and through emails from the Office of the University Registrar.
More info will be coming soon!
Key Deadlines
February 13 – Registration opens to participate in Spring 2026 Commencement
March 10 – Grad Event, 10am-2pm, Florida Poly Campus Store. This one-stop event is your opportunity to prepare for commencement and order everything you need in one place, including your cap and gown, honors cords, graduation announcements, class rings, diploma frames, and more.
March 13 – Final deadline to register to participate in the Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremony.
March 13 – Deadline to order Regalia (cap/gown) through GraduationSource
Register for Commencement
Students registering to participate in Commencement for the first time should use the registration link provided in the email sent on February 13 and 17, 2026 from noreply@tassel.com
Students may return to the site any time by clicking the button below:
Commencement Eligibility
Eligible participants: Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Summer 2026 degree candidates (Bachelor’s or Master’s).
- Complete the Commencement Participation Form by March 13, 11:55 PM.
- Confirmation will be sent to your Florida Poly email once eligibility is verified.
- Summer degree candidates’ participation is contingent upon enrollment in all remaining Summer 2026 courses, which will be verified after priority registration.
Questions? Email graduation@floridapoly.edu.
Parking Information
Graduates and Guests should park in Orange or Red lots. Overflow parking is available in the Purple lot. Enter the RP Funding Center through Entrance 2.
Arrival & Check-In
- Parking: Orange or Red lots. Overflow parking in Purple lot. Enter through Entrance 2.
- Graduate Check-in: Exhibit Hall West, Doors open at 12:30 p.m.. Deadline at 1:15 p.m.. Graduates will receive their seating assignment and reader card at check-in. The reader card must be kept at all times as it will be given to the name reader before the graduate walks across the stage.
- Guests: Doors will open at 12:30 p.m. Guests will pass through security upon entering the building and all bags will be checked. Clear bags are recommended to efficiently move through security. Guests must provide their unique digital ticket to be admitted into the arena. Lap-children ages 2 and younger do not need a ticket. After the ceremony, graduates will be led out of the arena near Entrance 2 and will not be permitted to re-enter the building. Guests should plan to meet their graduate(s) outside of the building (near the Orange/Red parking lots).
Regalia & Apparel
Cap & Gown
Required (ordered through GraduationSource by Mar. 13).
Regalia (unless sent to home address), 4+1 Stole, International Student Pin, and Honors Cords are picked up at the campus store after April 27.
Grad Event: March 10, 10am-2pm at the Florida Poly Campus Store. This one-stop event is your opportunity to prepare for commencement and order everything you need in one place, including your cap and gown, honors cords, graduation announcements, class rings, diploma frames, and more.
Students are not permitted to participate in the ceremony without wearing the approved regalia from GraduationSource. When placing your order, please make sure you select the correct Degree Type to ensure you are ordering the correct cap and gown for your degree. Master’s degree candidates order will include a cap, gown, and hood based on the student’s major. Master’s degree candidates are required to bring their hood with them to the ceremony; a hooding ceremony will take place on stage during the ceremony.
Tassels
Bachelor’s → start on right, move to left when directed.
Master’s → worn on left.
Accessories
Only pre-approved cords, stoles, and pins may be worn. Other approved items:
- ASGA Graduation Cord – (Student Government Association)
- Chess Club Order of the Board Pin – Chess Club
- Chess Club Order of the Knight Pin – Chess Club
- Graduate 4+1 Stole – (Graduate Program)
- Gratitude Stole – (GradSource)
- Honors Cord (Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude) – (Registrar’s Office)
- IEEE HKN Cord (IEEE-HKN Student Organization)
- International Student Pin – (Registrar’s Office)
- Order of the Engineer Ring
- Philanthropy Cord – (Alumni Affairs)
- Presidential Ambassador Medallion
- SGA Leadership Stole – (Student Government Association)
- SGA Service Medal – (Student Government Association)
- SWE Pin – (Society of Women Engineers)
- The Society of Hispanic & Professional Engineers (SHPE) Lapel Pin (SHPE Student Organization)
Dress Code
Semi-formal attire under gowns; recommended:
- Top: A collared shirt, blouse, or semi-formal dress. Consider a tie if wearing a collared shirt for an extra touch.
- Bottom: Slacks or a skirt. If choosing a long skirt, consider how the length of the skirt aligns with the length of the graduation gown.
- Footwear: Avoid shoes that are too casual. Dress shoes, two-inch block heels, or wedges are recommended.
Cap Decorations
Allowed if appropriate and not distracting. Gowns may not be altered.
Commencement Medallion
Each participant will receive a Florida Poly Commencement Medallion to wear during the ceremony and keep as a commemorative keepsake. These are handed out the day of commencement.
Diplomas
You’ll receive a diploma cover on stage.
Diplomas are mailed after final degree conferral.
Photos & Memories
Official Photographer: Grad Images is the official photographer for commencement and will have clear access to photograph the graduates during the ceremony. Graduates and their families will have the opportunity to order the commencement photos from Grad Images. You will be sent a link to order your commencement photos when they become available. Visit gradimages.com to find the photos taken at the 2026 Commencement Ceremony.
Merchandise:
Alumni clothing and gifts → Florida Poly Bookstore
Yard signs → FASTSIGNS of Lakeland
Senior Class Gift: Commemorative brick, tumblers, and alumni bundles available through the Alumni Association.
Social Media: Share your Florida Poly pride before, during, and after the ceremony by tagging your pics #FLPolyGrad on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. All day-of updates will be communicated via Facebook and Twitter.
Alumni
Join the Alumni Network to stay connected and support future STEM leaders.
Security
All guests and graduates will pass through security; clear bags recommended.
Graduates should limit personal items (no handoff to guests once seated).
Tickets
- Each graduate receives 5 digital guest tickets distributed by email.
- Graduates must reserve their digital tickets through Tassel.
- Every guest age 3+ requires a ticket.
Student Speaker Opportunity
Student Speaker
Student Speaker Application – Application Deadline is March 9 by 5:00 p.m. (ET). Eligible graduates can apply to deliver the student address.
The student commencement speaker is an honor, and all eligible students are invited to participate in the selection process. Please visit the “Student Speaker Application” link above to access the application.
Eligibility
- Be eligible for graduation.
- Be in good academic and disciplinary standing.
- Commit to attend and participate fully in the commencement ceremony, including practice sessions.
- Be comfortable speaking in front of a large audience.
Speech Guidelines
- Should discuss the transformative experience the student has had at Florida Poly.
- May include examples and reflections from life and academics at Florida Poly.
- May include significant contemporary events that shaped life during the past four years.
- Should be of serious tone, with appropriate humor, joy or sorrow mixed in.
ADA Accommodations
Florida Polytechnic University and RP Funding Center makes several accommodations for persons with disabilities attending Commencement, including:
- Accessible parking around the arena
- Accessible seating in the arena (one guest may accompany any individual with the mobility impairment)
- Interpreter services (American Sign Language)
To request ADA accommodations, email ada@floridapoly.edu or call 863-874-8484 prior to April 18. Requests received after the deadline will be processed, but the University cannot guarantee those requests can be fulfilled.
Graduation Requirements
Graduating from Florida Poly is an exciting milestone—and one that requires careful planning. Students are encouraged to regularly monitor their academic progress in CAMS and meet with their Student Success Coach to stay on track.
Degree Audit
Your Degree Audit shows which requirements you’ve completed and what remains.
- Access in CAMS → Document Tracking → “REGISTRATION” section.
- Completed courses = listed with grade & term.
- In-progress courses = highlighted in yellow.
- Missing requirements = highlighted in red.
- Some course substitutions may take up to 2 weeks to appear.
When to Apply for Graduation
- Undergraduates: After earning 72+ credit hours
- Graduate students: After earning 18+ credit hours
The Registrar’s Office will notify you when it’s time to apply.
