Commencement

2026 LGS Diploma Ceremony

Congratulations, Class of 2025–2026!

We are excited to celebrate your incredible accomplishments at this year’s Laney Graduate School Diploma Ceremony.

Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Location: Gas South Convention Center, located in Duluth, Georgia

About the Ceremony

This year’s ceremony marks an exciting new chapter for Laney Commencement celebrations. Beginning in 2026, bachelor, graduate, and professional school diploma ceremonies will take place at the Gas South District Arena and Convention Center in Duluth, Georgia.

The move ensures that all graduates and their guests can celebrate together—rain or shine.

Who Should Attend

The Laney Graduate School Diploma Ceremony honors all LGS students who:

Students who received their degree in Summer 2025 and Fall 2025 are eligible to attend and will receive an email with a unique link to Register for the Diploma ceremony. If you have not received an email, please contact Renee Webb.
Student who will receive their degree in Spring 2026 will receive reminder emails with the link to register or they can login to the Laney Connect Hub and submit the rsvp form found under Degree Completion.
Summer 2026 students who will be Walking and Not Graduating can log in to the Laney Connect Hub and submit the rsvp form found under Degree Completion. PhD students must defend by May 1 for this option.
Registration Deadline to RSVP for the Diploma ceremony is April 24, 2026.

PhD Student Regalia Ordering Information

Visit the Grad Fair: The bookstore will be hosting a Grad Fair on Friday, Feb. 20 from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. on the second floor. Stop by the bookstore to speak with various graduation-related vendors. Representatives from vendors that sell class rings, class portraits, diploma frames, and more will be in attendance.

Buy Regalia Online by March 4 ($1,177): Orders for purchased PhD attire must be placed by March 4 to arrive in time for the ceremony, as they are custom-made and take 9 weeks to arrive.

Order here.

Rent Regalia Online by March 15 ($204): Rental regalia orders will be shipped to the bookstore, and the window for pickup will begin on April 17. Rental regalia must be returned to the bookstore by May 18.

Rent here.

Diploma Frame Sale: The bookstore is offering a 20% discount on Diploma Frames online and in-store from February 19 and March 5. Frames can be purchased here.

Registration and Guest Information

Graduates must register to attend the ceremony. Please check back for registration information. There are no limits on the number of guests, and tickets are not required.

Livestream

The ceremony will be livestreamed for family and friends who are unable to attend in person.

A link to the livestream will be shared on this page as the date approaches.

More Information

Details about registration, directions, parking, and accessibility will be updated in the coming months.

Please continue to visit this page for the latest information as Commencement approaches.