Commencement Information

Students graduating from the colleges of Business and Management and Health and Human Services.

The ceremony will be held in the O'Neill Arena of the Ryder Center.  The following times are important.

• 5:30 p.m. - Ryder Center doors open
• 6 p.m. - Graduates arrive at the Ryder Center, entering at the northwest corner on the first level (user entrance).  Please go immediately to the East end of O’Neill Arena for instructions and to line up for the processional.
• 6 -7:25 p.m. - Family and friends may be seated by entering at the north ramp to the second level
• 7:30 p.m. - Processional
• 9-9:30 p.m. - Ceremony concludes

Students graduating from the colleges of Arts and Behavioral Sciences, Education, and Science, Engineering and Technology.

The ceremony will be held in the O'Neill Arena of the Ryder Center.  The following times are important.

• 9:00 a.m. - Ryder Center doors open
• 9:30 a.m. - Graduates arrive at the Ryder Center, entering at the north ramp (second level) or at the south entrance near the Fitness Center.  Please go immediately to the East end of O’Neill Arena for instructions and to line up for the processional.
• 9:00 - 10:55 a.m. - Family and friends may be seated by entering at the north ramp to the second level
• 11:00 a.m. - Processional
• 12:30-1:00 p.m. - Ceremony concludes

There are no reserved seats.  Members of the audience should arrive early for the best seating locations.  Seating should be completed before the processional begins.  General seating in the O'Neill Arena is bleacher seating with no back support.

The University requests that all attendees at the Commencement Ceremony observe common courtesy and safety standards and refrain from using artificial noisemakers (such as air horns) and laser pointers, or other devices which could cause physical damage to persons in attendance.

Special Seating: 
Chairs or wheelchair space may be reserved for individuals with disabilities. To reserve special seating for guests, contact the Office of Disability Services at minimum two weeks prior to commencement at (989) 964-7000 or stop by 260 Wickes Hall.

Special Entrance: 
Guests with disabilities may be dropped off at the South entrance to Ryder Center, near the Fitness Center. Maps are available in 260 Wickes Hall.

Special Parking: 
Parking passes for the R Lot are available to guests who are dropping off individuals at the South entrance. To obtain a pass, please contact The Office of Disability Services at minimum two weeks prior to commencement at (989) 964-7000 or stop by 260 Wickes Hall.

Graduates: 
Graduates with special needs should contact The Office of Disability Services (989) 964-7000 no later than two weeks prior to commencement.

If you wish to present your graduate with flowers at the ceremony, you can conveniently pre-purchase your flowers through https://www.thecommencementgroup.com/svsu/ and they will be available for pick-up at Commencement.  Sales also serve as a fund raiser for Forever Red, a student organization that provides SVSU students the opportunity to network with SVSU Alumni, raise funds towards the improvement of the SVSU student experience, create and build on SVSU traditions, and ‘create a legacy of RED PRIDE’ at SVSU.

The SVSU Wine Collection is the perfect gift to celebrate a graduation milestone. The wine is made in Sonoma County California, is available in chardonnay and red wine and proceedds support the Alumni Legacy scholarship. The collection is availalble throughout the year to celebrate birthdays and other special events. Purchase wine at: svsuwinecollection.com

Balloons are not allowed in the Ryder Center.

A professional photographer will take portraits as each graduate crosses the stage.  For more information on ordering prints, go to  http://gradimages.com.  You will be under no obligation.

Please advise your guests that pictures may not be taken from any area of the arena's floor during the ceremony.  Ask them not to cross the arena between the seating sections during the processional, the ceremony, or the recessional.  Guests may take pictures only while remaining in their seats.

Parents, friends and family members of graduates; please consider commemorating the accomplishments of your graduate with the purchase of a decorative medallion and membership in the exclusive "63 Club". For only $19.63 each, or the full set of five medallions to commemorate the graduate's entire career at SVSU for only $75, you can purchase an individually numbered decorative medallion that your graduate can proudly display in their home or office for years to come. This year's medallion features the "I Love SVSU" statue that was designed by SVSU faculty and students and sits proudly outside the beautiful Ryder Center. 

The purchase is 100% tax deductible, as all funds for the "63 Club" support student scholarships at SVSU, making your contribution a lasting "thank you" to Saginaw Valley and helping future Cardinals carry the legacy of red pride forward!

For single medallion purchases visit: https://alumni.svsu.edu/forever-red/2015-63-club-

For the full set of five medallions or to purchase multiple years at a discounted price, please contact Bryan Crainer at: (989)964-4091 or svsufr@svsu.edu