Frequently Asked Questions

Graduates physically attend the graduation ceremonies held on the Fort Hays State University campus on the designated dates and times. The ceremonies are simultaneously streamed LIVE on the Tiger Media Network to allow guests unable to travel to campus to view the ceremonies in real time.

Graduates unable to physically come to campus for the ceremonies, are recognized in a virtual ceremony on the Tiger Media Network on Saturday, December 14. The undergraduate and graduate ceremonies will feature formal remarks from the President, Provost, Kansas Board of Regents member and deans. All graduates (including those attending the in person ceremonies) will have their name and degree appear on a slide on the screen as it is read by the Reader of Names.

The in-person commencement ceremonies are held in Gross Memorial Coliseum and simultaneously broadcast Live on the Tiger Media Network. Additional information will be posted on the FHSU Facebook Page prior to the ceremonies.

Graduates who are unable to attend or watch the live ceremonies, can watch the Virtual Ceremonies for undergraduate and graduate students on the Tiger Media Network on Saturday, December 14 at 2:00 pm (CT) and 4 pm (CT).

Graduates can park in the Gross Memorial Coliseum parking lot until it is filled.

Please leave early to allow sufficient arrival time. Traffic can be heavy in the Gross Memorial Coliseum area for Commencement.  In the event of inclement weather, parking will be restricted to the Gross Memorial Coliseum parking lot and on campus.

Shuttle bus service for those who park on campus will be provided to and from Gross Memorial Coliseum. Commencement Shuttle Stops will be at the following locations:

• Lot A2, near the College Drive entrance
• Lot D, near Malloy Hall
• Lot Q, between the fountain and the north driveway
• Lot J, near the Elm Street entrance

Access vans are available to transport passengers with disabilities who park on campus to and from Gross Memorial Coliseum Gates 2 and 3. After the event, vehicles leaving the parking lot at the north exits will be directed north. Those exiting south will be directed south.

Accessible seating

Seating is reserved on the entrance level of Gross Memorial Coliseum (GMC) for guests with accessibility needs. A commencement staff member will escort the individual(s) and one guest to the accessibility seating. Seating in this area is in high demand and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests needing this accommodation are encouraged to arrive early.

Deaf and hard of hearing

Close captioning will be visible on the center screen.

Accessible parking

Drivers will find Gates 2 and 3, at the northwest and southwest corners, most convenient for dropping off passengers with disabilities.  Handicap parking is available at Gate 4.

Order and Obtain Your Regalia (Cap and Gown)

Getting Your Regalia

If you are on-campus, you can pick up your regalia by:

• Arranging a time with Victor E. Apparel and Gift Co. to pick up in the store in the Memorial Union after GradFest.

If you are off-campus, you can get your regalia by:

• Having Victor E. Apparel and Gift Co. ship your regalia to you.
  • NOTE: shipping takes time.  If you have your regalia shipped, please allow plenty of time for your cap and gown to arrive. The last day to ship orders is December 2 to ensure arrival prior to Commencement.
  • Regalia may be shipped only to addresses outside of Hays. Shipping requests can be made through the online order form.
  • Students located outside of the United States please note that you may still request your regalia, but you are responsible for the shipping cost.

All of us at FHSU would love to see you in your regalia by posting your photos on Facebook or Instagram. 

If you have any questions regarding your regalia please feel free to email the Victor E. Apparel and Gift Co. or call 785-628-4417.

You can order customized graduation announcements from Jostens or generic ones from the Victor E. Apparel and Gift Co.

No tickets are required to attend the ceremony.

Graduates will be directed to seating on the floor by Commencement Event Staff. Guests will be seated in the upper-level of Gross Memorial Coliseum. Accessibility seating is available on the floor on a first-come, first-served basis.

In order to participate in the ceremonies, potential graduates are required to:

1. Submit an "Apply for Program Completion (APC)" form in Workday
2. Submit an RSVP form before December 2.  After that date, please contact the Registrar's Office (undergraduate) or the Graduate School (graduate) directly.
3. Purchase regalia using this link

An email with a RSVP form is sent to all potential graduates at their FHSU email address or use this link. To participate in the on-campus, please submit the RSVP form prior to December 2, 2024.

The RSVP date is December 2, 2024

No. Commencement staff will be available the day of the ceremony to assist graduates to prepare for the line up and directions.

Graduates will receive their diploma 4-6 weeks at the conclusion of each term and the degrees have been officially awarded.  Diplomas will be mailed to the primary address unless the graduate designates a Diploma Mailing Address within Workday.

FHSU will mail your diploma to your Primary Address listed in Workday unless you create or designate a different Diploma Mailing Address.

To create or designate a different Diploma Mailing Address, log into Workday, go to your Student Profile and access your Contacts to edit.  Specific directions to either designate or create a different Diploma Mailing Address can be found in the Student Records section. 

FHSU will use the city, state, and country (NOT street address or zip code) in the primary mailing address as your hometown. This hometown will appear next to your name in the Commencement Program that friends, family, and other graduates receive at the graduation ceremonies.

To create or designate a different Hometown Address, log into Workday, go to your Student Profile and access your Contacts to edit. Specific directions for either designating or creating a different hometown address can be found in the Student Records section.

There is no honors distinction for Master's, Ed.S., or Doctoral degrees.

For undergraduate students, honors are calculated based on students' cumulative (from all colleges attended) and FHSU grade point averages. Both the cumulative and the FHSU GPA must be at or above the required level in order to be recognized for graduating with honors.

The Registrar's Office provides honor cords for undergraduate students when they check-in on the day of the ceremony.

Yes. The University has contracted with a professional photographer, GradImages, to take individual photos as each graduate crosses the stage and with the University president. Proofs and forms for ordering will be emailed by GradImages to each candidate after Commencement. There is no obligation to purchase photos.

No. If the ceremonies on the FHSU campus are cancelled due to inclement weather, they will not be rescheduled. However, students will be able to view the virtual ceremonies on Facebook and the Tiger Media Network on Saturday, December 14. An announcement will be made the morning of the scheduled ceremony and disseminated through social and regular media.

Yes. Family and friends can view a live stream of each ceremony by clicking on the live stream link located on the Tiger Media Network page. Ceremonies will also be recorded for future viewings.

The Virtual ceremonies are in the same college order and then alphabetically by last name.