Commencement is one of the most joyful weekends of the year! We can’t wait to celebrate your graduate and welcome you to campus for this milestone moment.
When and where is Commencement?
Commencement will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in the Wellness and Athletics Center (WAC). The ceremony will take place across both the Event Gym (North Gym) and the Recreation Gym (South Gym) as part of a revised seating plan.
The procession of graduates begins at 8:45 a.m. and will be livestreamed on the screens in both gyms. Graduates process from the center of campus, over Harkrider St. via the footbridge, and into the WAC where the ceremony will begin promptly. When the processional reaches the WAC, entry to the gyms will be restricted until the processional ends, at which time guests with tickets will continue to be admitted.
Do I need tickets?
Yes. Each student has received guest tickets assigned by each group's starting location (North Gym or South Gym). Graduates will be divided into two groups to allow all graduates to participate in one unified ceremony while increasing ticket availability for families. On Commencement day:
- Guests with North Gym tickets will be seated in the Event Gym / North Gym for the first portion of the ceremony.
- Guests with South Gym tickets will be seated in the Recreation Gym / South Gym, where they will watch a high-quality livestream of the ceremony.
At intermission, guest seating will rotate:
- Guests with North Gym tickets will move to the Recreation Gym / South Gym.
- Guests with South Gym tickets will move into the Event Gym / North Gym for the live portion.
Guests seated in the Recreation Gym / South Gym will be admitted into the Event Gym / North Gym in the order they arrived, with the first families seated in the Recreation Gym / South Gym being the first families invited to move into the Event Gym / North Gym.
How long is the Commencement ceremony?
The ceremony typically lasts about two and a half hours and will include a brief intermission to allow for guest seating transitions. We promise that every name read and every handshake is worth it! Please add extra time to your trip to allow for traffic on campus and parking.
How does seating work?
Seating is general admission within each assigned space (Event Gym / North Gym or Recreation Gym / South Gym) with designated accessible seating in each gym. Each accessible seat allows for one adjacent companion seat.
All entrances to the WAC, including the lobby, Event Gym, and Recreation Gym, will open at 7:30 a.m. Clear signage and staff will be available to assist guests throughout the event, including during the intermission transition.
Additional Info:
- Graduates will remain seated throughout the ceremony while guests rotate between spaces.
- A reception for all graduates and guests will follow the ceremony in Young-Wise Memorial Plaza behind the WAC.
- We are committed to accommodating guests with accessibility needs to ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone.
- We know this is a different format than in years past, and we appreciate your flexibility as we work to create a meaningful and inclusive Commencement experience for all.
Where should I park?
Guests may park in all of the campus parking lots. ADA parking is available at the Wellness and Athletics Center. View the parking map.
Can I bring snacks to the ceremony?
Outside food and drinks are not allowed in the stadium and gymnasiums. Guests will be asked to dispose of them before entering the stadium and gyms.
Can we take photos and videos during the ceremony?
We kindly ask guests to please enjoy your graduate’s moment from your seating area, knowing that:
- There will not be space available beside the stage for taking personal photos.
- Image magnification screens will be above the stage to enhance viewing.
- A professional photographer will take individual photos of each graduate after they leave the stage. In addition, Hendrix has other professional photographers covering the full event. All photos will be available as free downloads from the the week after Commencement.
What should I do if I have a guest who has special needs?
We are committed to making Commencement accessible for all families. Accessible seating and parking are available. Please contact parent@hendrix.edu in advance so we can assist with arrangements.
Participation in the Ceremony
Students who have failed to satisfy two or fewer degree
requirements may request permission from the Registrar to participate in the ceremony. However, students will not receive their diploma until their degree requirements are completed. Students may not be allowed to participate due to misconduct or behavior not conforming to the standards of propriety congenial to the College's heritage and aims, as well as to the laws of the state and nation. Students with unresolved accounts with the Business Office will not receive their diploma. The Business Office number is 501-450-1333.
How does my student order regalia and other graduation items?
Official Hendrix graduation caps, gowns,
customized announcements, and diploma frames will be available for
purchase in-person or online from the Spirit Store. Master of Arts in Accounting students who only need a hood should stop by the Spirit Store.
When must my student move out of student
housing?
Graduates must be checked out of Hendrix College housing by 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 17. Graduating seniors need to apply for an extension to stay late ONLY if they need to stay past 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, by either completing a Late Stay Request form or emailing housing@hendrix.edu no later than Monday, May 4th.
Is there a special way to honor my graduate?
Yes! Families may honor their graduate through a Senior Tribute, a meaningful way to celebrate their accomplishments while supporting future Hendrix students. Students honored through a tribute will also be recognized in the Commencement program. Make your Senior Tribute gift here.
Where should I stay and where should I eat?
Information about area lodging and dining is provided on our
Conway Hotels & Restaurants page.
Who can I contact with additional
questions?
For Commencement questions, please contact Maureen Martin, Director of Parent Engagement, at martinm@hendrix.edu. We’re happy to help!
Past Ceremonies
View the 2025 Commencement Ceremony (May 15, 2025)
View the 2024 Commencement Ceremony (May 11, 2024)
View the 2023 Commencement Ceremony (May 13, 2023)
View the
2022 Commencement Ceremony (May 14, 2022)