From Wave Goodbye to the University Commencement Ceremony and all of the other moments between, commencement weekend is an opportunity for graduates to celebrate all of their remarkable achievements at Tulane with family, friends and fellow classmates.
As we look forward to sharing these moments and celebrating one of the most historic and joyous occasions for all of our graduates, there are a number of commencement-related activities and events to take note of as we countdown to commencement.
Grad Fest – Uptown March 11-12, 2020 | Downtown March 4, 2020
Grad Fest gives graduating students the opportunity to get everything you will need for graduation, including cap & gown, Tulane Ring, graduation announcements, diploma frame, and more. Graduates unable to attend Grad Fest in person will be able to place orders online. For more information visit the Grad Fest website.
Wave Goodbye – May 15, 2020
– Gibson Quad
Wave Goodbye is an annual party for graduates that is modeled after New Orleans' many springtime festivals. All graduates and their guests are invited to mingle on Gibson Quad on the uptown campus on Friday, May 15, 6-8 p.m.
Graduates are allotted seven tickets each, one of which the graduate will need to use to enter the party. Children 10 years and younger do not require tickets. Tickets are issued to graduating students via the Gibson Online student portal in the weeks before the event.
Please note, Wave Goodbye is an outdoor, casual event that occurs rain or shine. In the event of severe weather, Wave Goodbye may be canceled and would not be rescheduled.
University Commencement – May 16, 2020 – Yulman Stadium
The University Commencement Ceremony honors graduates from all of Tulane's schools and colleges. President Mike Fitts and university officials preside over this ceremony that features a keynote speaker, a student speaker, live New Orleans jazz and the conferral of degrees.
Inclement Weather Planning
University Commencement will begin at 9:00 a.m. in Yulman Stadium and will proceed rain or shine, unless severe weather (such as lightning, tornadoes, flooding, etc.) poses a significant threat or danger to the personal safety of graduates and attendees.
In the event of severe weather, graduates and their guests should plan for two scenarios if the University's rain plan is initiated:
Rain Delay: the start time of the University Commencement ceremony could be delayed by up to two hours, for rapidly moving weather events. The following ceremonies could also be delayed after the University Ceremony:
- School of Professional Advancement
- School of Law
- School of Science & Engineering
Postponement: In the unlikely event that severe weather conditions are expected to persist throughout the morning, the University Commencement ceremony will be postponed until the evening, Saturday, May 16 at 7:00 p.m. in Yulman Stadium. Postponement will only occur in extreme circumstances.
If the University's rain plan is initiated, details about the changes will be communicated by:
- Updates on the Commencement website: commencement.tulane.edu
- Text message updates will be sent by the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response. Guests can sign up for these updates by texting tugrad to 888777.
School Ceremonies
In addition to the University Commencement Ceremony, graduates are invited to the ceremony of the school awarding their degree. It is at these graduation ceremonies that the names of graduates are called and they walk across the stage. For a full listing of these ceremonies and events, visit the schedule.
Applying for Graduation
All students intending to participate in Commencement exercises MUST complete their application for graduation by March 2 in order to have their names published in the commencement program. Applications can be accessed through the student tab of the Gibson online portal.
Student Information Records
All graduating students please note: if you have chosen to withhold directory information from disclosure by selecting the confidentiality box in your Gibson account, you will not appear in the program, any newspaper listings of graduates, or any other external report on Tulane Commencement. This confidentiality flag can be updated through the Gibson online portal.