Commencement Information

Commencement Ceremonies 

Spring Arbor University is excited to host Commencement Ceremonies for spring graduates on Saturday, May 3rd. The ceremonies will be held on campus at the University Plaza.  The graduates will be divided into the following two ceremonies:

May 3 morning – Traditional campus students

May 3 afternoon – Graduate students who completed Doctoral and Master’s degrees, as well as Undergraduate students enrolled in programs online, via Zoom, or at SAU’s sites around Michigan and Ohio

Fall 2025 Commencement will be held in October 2025.

Diplomas 

After a degree is conferred and posted to the transcript, diplomas are mailed to those graduates who have satisfied all financial obligations to SAU, including the return of textbook rentals and any fines applied after the semester concludes. Your Diploma will arrive 6-8 weeks following the conferral of your Degree.

Participation Requirements 

All graduates must be cleared for participation in commencement through the Office of Registration and Records. If you have any questions regarding your standing, please contact one of the following.

Global Sites & Online: Your academic advisor
Spring Arbor Campus:  [email protected]
Graduate Programs: Your academic advisor

Academic Honors 

Graduation honors are awarded to bachelor’s degree candidates for four levels of performance: Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Cum Laude, and Cum Dignitate.

For questions regarding honors eligibility, please contact one of the following.

Spring Arbor Campus:  [email protected]
Global Sites & Online: Your academic advisor

Caps & Gowns

Complete your cap and gown order online by at least one month prior to Commencement. Please make sure to ship your order directly to your place of residence, as campus pick-up will not be available. If you have any questions regarding caps and gowns, please email SAU’s Oak Hall representative, Andy Gillespie, at [email protected].

Parking 

All parking lots on campus will be open to commencement participants and guests. Permits will not be required. Parking attendants will direct traffic. Please do not park on the street. Drop off locations will be on College Street and the Main Entrance.

Accessible Parking & Seating 

Accessible parking will be available in the parking lot nearest the ceremony. Parking attendants will direct traffic and will assist with your parking needs. Accessible seating will be available throughout the venue.

Campus Map

Spring Arbor University is located in Spring Arbor, Michigan. A link to the campus map is provided here: https://legacy.arbor.edu/about/visit-campus/campus-maps/

Accommodations 

There are many dining and lodging options in Jackson, Michigan, which is eight miles away from campus.

Live Stream 

Those unable to attend may view the commencement ceremonies live online. 

Graduate Photographs 

A professional photographer will take two pictures of each graduate, one of the graduate receiving their diploma cover (or hood) and another of the graduate posed with their diploma cover. Proofs will be mailed to each graduate.

Graduation Announcements 

Graduation announcements can be ordered from Balfour at https://www.balfour.com/springarbor. 

Bookstore Hours

The SAU Campus Store will be open the Saturday of commencement. The bookstore is located on the upper level of the Student Life Center on College Street.

Baccalaureate/Cutting of the Ivy

A baccalaureate service is held prior to Commencement at the Arbor Church for on-campus students.  Graduates should come in their regalia and should be seated in the graduate section.  Their guests will sit in the back sections of the auditorium.  The Cutting of the Ivy ceremony will be on the Plaza immediately following the service.