FHSU University Communications
Fort Hays State University will recognize approximately 1,691 graduates during its spring 2025 commencement ceremonies on Friday and Saturday, May 16-17.
Graduates who have chosen to participate in person will be honored in two ceremonies on Friday and two ceremonies on Saturday at Gross Memorial Coliseum (GMC).
The ceremonies will begin on Friday for undergraduate and graduate candidates in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at 8:30 a.m. Central time, followed by the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences at 11 a.m. Central time.
Saturday’s two ceremonies are the Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship and Werth College of Science, Technology and Mathematics (combined) at 8:30 a.m. (CT), followed by the College of Education at 11 a.m. (CT).
If graduates are unable to attend the on-campus ceremonies, they can tune in to the virtual celebration on Saturday beginning at 2 p.m. for the DNP, Ed.S., and master’s students. The undergraduate virtual ceremony will follow at 4 p.m. Graduates can experience all the excitement, pride, and unforgettable moments wherever they are located.
All ceremonies – in-person and virtual – are available on the Tiger Media Network YouTube channel. The link to access the live ceremonies will also be posted on the Fort Hays State University Facebook page. Individuals are not required to sign up for a Facebook account to view the ceremonies.
Recordings of the virtual ceremonies will be archived on the FHSU YouTube channel, with the link provided on the commencement website on the “Programs and Videos” tab the week after the semester ends.
Doors to GMC and the adjoining Cunningham Hall will open at 7:45 a.m. Graduates and guests will be asked to enter through Gate 2 or Gate 3. The graduates will check in at these two gates, and guest seating will be on the upper level of the Coliseum.
Students are asked to wear their regalia to GMC. For late pick up of regalia after May 2, contact Victor E. Apparel & Gift Co. in the Memorial Union.
Seating on the main floor of Gross Memorial Coliseum is reserved for graduates and faculty. Guests will be seated in the upper level. The elevator is accessible by Gate 3. Seating for guests with mobility impairment and patrons in wheelchairs is available on the main floor; a commencement staff member will escort the individual(s) and one guest to the seating area on the GMC floor. There are no reservations for this area, and seating is limited. Drivers will find Gates 2 and 3, at the northwest and northeast corners, most convenient for dropping off passengers with disabilities. Handicap parking is available at Gate 4 (west side of building).
Closed captioning will be available on the screen in GMC during each ceremony.Traffic in the GMC area is anticipated to be high during the transition periods between each commencement ceremony. Parking lots adjacent to the coliseum typically fill up quickly, but parking is available on the main campus.
Graduates, families, and friends are encouraged to share photos and messages on Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook using the hashtag #tigergrad.
The in-person commencement ceremonies will be broadcast live at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy-pTViuiXfMeJilvmltyrg and through the Fort Hays State Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/forthaysstate.
The commencement schedule, maps, directions, links to accommodations in Hays, and general information can be found at www.fhsu.edu/commencement/.