The 130th Annual Commencement of Cedarville University
May 2, 2026
We look forward to welcoming family and friends to these graduation ceremonies as we give thanks to God for His provision and blessing and celebrate the accomplishments of this year's graduating class.
Ceremony Details
Commencement 2026 will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, in the Doden Field House and will include two ceremonies — 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. There will also be a Senior Celebration for the undergraduate class of 2026 on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 8 p.m. in the Dixon Ministry Center, Jeremiah Chapel.
*As a private Christian university, Cedarville’s commencement events will be religious services, including prayer, worship, and a clear presentation of the Gospel.
Ceremony Schedule
Below is the schedule for class of 2026 commencement ceremonies by department/school:
May 2 at 10 a.m.:
- Allied Health
- Education
- Engineering and Computer Science
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Psychology
- Social Work
May 2 at 2 p.m.:
- Art, Design, and Theatre
- Biblical and Theological Studies
- Business
- Communication
- English, Literature, and Modern Languages
- History and Government
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Music and Worship
- Science and Mathematics
The Office of the Registrar will contact those who have a sibling, parent, or spouse in the other ceremony to confirm that they may switch to the alternate program, if desired.
Important Dates and Times
- Rehearsals are Thursday, April 30, 2026:
- 10 a.m. ceremony rehearsal will be held 6–7:30 p.m.
- 2 p.m. ceremony rehearsal will be held 4–5:30 p.m.
- Regalia and ticket pickup deadline is Friday, May 1, 2026, at 5 p.m.
- Undergraduate Senior Celebration is Friday, May 1, 2026, at 8 p.m.
- Commencement is Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Academic school and department celebrations take place throughout the weekend
Academic Celebrations
- Army ROTC
- Education Programs Academic Celebration
- Master of Athletic Training Academic Celebration
- Master's and Doctoral Graduates and Families Ice Cream Social
- Music and Worship Academic Celebration
- PA Studies Academic Celebration
- Robert W. Plaster School of Business Academic Celebration
- School of Biblical and Theological Studies Academic Celebration
- School of Engineering and Computer Science Academic Celebration
- School of Nursing Academic Celebration
- School of Pharmacy Academic Celebration
- Social Work Academic Celebration
Commencement — Livestream
The commencement program and several of the school and department celebrations will be livestreamed. These can be viewed at the commencement livestream page.
Commencement — Not Participating
If you do not plan to participate in commencement, please contact the Office of the Registrar so they can plan accordingly. If for some reason you have to cancel your participation after indicating your intentions to participate, please contact them as well.
Commencement Rehearsals
An email with your seat location will be sent to your Cedarville University email account during finals week.
10 a.m. Ceremony: commencement rehearsal for undergraduates and graduates approved to participate in the 10 a.m. commencement ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2026, from 6–7:30 p.m. in the Doden Field House. Plan to meet in the field house promptly at 6 p.m.
2 p.m. Ceremony: commencement rehearsal for undergraduates and graduates approved to participate in the 2 p.m. commencement ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2026, from 4–5:30 p.m. in the Doden Field House. Plan to meet in the field house promptly at 4 p.m.
Dress Code and Regalia
Commencement Dress Code
- Professional attire requested (regalia is black)
- Only Cedarville-issued caps and gowns are allowed.
- No added stoles, sashes, or decorated caps.
- To look your best, steam or iron your gown on low heat inside out.
Graduation Regalia
Regalia is being ordered by the University Campus Store for all eligible graduates in the class of 2026 on the basis of the information you provided when you applied for graduation.
No further action is required on your part. Be watching your email for instructions for picking up graduation regalia in early April.
Please contact Kelly Holdeman in the Campus Store with any questions regarding regalia.
Tickets and Seating
Graduate Seating
Students approved to participate in the commencement ceremony will receive an email during finals week indicating where their seat location will be for the line of march. This same seat location will be used for your rehearsal time.
Graduation Tickets and Guest Seating
Each class of 2026 graduate who plans to participate in their assigned commencement ceremony will receive eight tickets for the field house. No need to submit a request.
Due to the nature of the seating in the facility, there are no reserved seats. Tickets are required to enter the Doden Field House and overflow areas. Individuals sitting together will not be seated until the entire group has arrived.
All ticket holders must be seated 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the program.
Seating for Young Children
All children over the age of one must have a ticket. No nursery supervision will be provided.
Seating for Disabled Individuals
Since the facility is at ground level and no stairs are involved, individuals with physical needs can utilize the chairs provided in the field house or in the overflow areas. The University does not provide wheelchairs.
Photography
Personal Photography
Parents and family members are permitted to leave their seats to photograph you as you shake hands with Dr. White and receive your diploma.
Professional Photography
Professional photographs of this event may be purchased through Graduation Foto. A photographer from Graduation Foto will be at commencement to take a candid photograph of you at your special moment of recognition.
A free passport-sized digital proof of this photo on an order card will be mailed to your permanent address. You can also preregister up to six email addresses at graduationfoto.com to receive a proof via email. After commencement, you may order online at graduationfoto.com or call 1-800-482-0321.
Registering with Graduation Foto provides them with the information they need to deliver your graduation proofs to you in a timely manner. Providing them with an accurate mailing address and email address will allow them to get your proofs to you on the first try.
Parking and Lodging
Traffic Update
🛑 Traffic Update: If you're attending the 2–4 p.m. commencement and will be departing campus to the south after the ceremony, please note that there will be a short detour of SR 72 around downtown Cedarville between 3:30–8 p.m. (approximately) due to the Village's monthly Sidewalk Saturdays event.
At the traffic light by Subway, southbound SR 72 traffic will be rerouted left one block onto East St. then back to SR 72. Vehicles planning to travel west on SR 42 toward Xenia will be rerouted right at the Subway light and will connect with SR 42 via Bridge St.
Commencement Parking
Commencement Parking Map
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Parking for Handicapped and Elderly Persons
Parking and drop off will be available in the Fitness Center/Doden Field House (23, 24 on the map) parking lot adjacent to the site that the commencement will be held. Parking attendants will be available for directions and assistance.
Graduate Parking
Lot #19 behind McKinney/Miter/McChesney (to the north of Callan Athletic Center, 25 on the map) — south section of lot.
Parking for Faculty and Staff
ENS and Tyler (to the south of Tyler and the east of the ENS, numbers 7 and 10 respectively on the map).
General Parking
Parking will be available in the following locations: Stevens Student Center, Dixon Ministry Center (some VIP parking), Water Tower lot located behind the Fitness Center/Doden Field House, behind the Murphy/Younger/Rickard/West dorm and the adjacent over-flow parking lot. (7, 21, 24, M/L/N respectively on the map).
Once these lots become full, parking will be used in the north campus sports complex and auxiliary dorm lot across SR 72. Parking in these areas include both paved and non-paved surfaces.
Shuttle service will be provided from these remote or distance lot locations. Look for the marked white University vans.
Area Accommodations
Need a place to stay during commencement weekend? View a list of area accommodations to help plan your visit.
Graduation Gifts, Class Rings, and Diploma Frames
Alumni Association Gifts
Celebrate your grad with an exclusive "CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI" long-sleeve shirt and "Jackets for Life" bears from the Student Alumni Association.
Pre-order online starting in early February to ensure availability.
A limited number of items will be available for same-day purchase, so ordering ahead is recommended. Pre-ordered gifts can be picked up at the gift stations in the Doden Field House on ceremony day. Honor your new alum with a gift they’ll appreciate.
Graduation Announcements and University Rings
Visit Josten's Cedarville page to order personalized graduation announcements or Cedarville University rings.
Many graduates celebrate graduation by purchasing a Cedarville University ring. Designed specifically for the University by Jostens, the ring features a blue stone and is available in either yellow or white gold. To see samples, stop by the Campus Store.
Diploma Framing
The Campus Store provides several attractive options to display and protect your diploma. Two different sized options feature distinctive cherry molding, deluxe marble matting with gold or silver silkscreen lettering, and the University logo. Place an online order to be shipped or picked up in the Campus Store.
Additional Questions?
Do you have a general question about graduation or commencement? Send an email or call the Office of the Registrar at 937-766-7710.