Commencement for the Class of 2026 is Saturday, May 16, 2026
Commencement in Hubert F. Fisher Memorial Garden is a time-honored Rhodes tradition. We are looking forward to holding the ceremony in the garden this year. Please save the following tentative information regarding dates, times, and tickets for the graduation exercises. We will be updating this information regularly.
*For planning purposes, please note the graduates have a required rehearsal on Friday, May 15, at 9:30 a.m. Specific details to come.
If during your planning you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Shantih Smythe ’92, P’26, P’28 smythes@rhodes.edu or call College Events (901) 843-3888.
If you are not receiving information by email, or if your information has changed, please .
Regalia Distribution
Wednesday, May 13, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Regalia Distribution and Gift from Alumni Relations, Hardie Auditorium, Southwestern Hall
Seniors must complete the Senior Exit Survey before picking up their academic regalia (cap, gown, and hood). In addition, seniors must be officially cleared by the Registrar and the Bursar to receive their regalia. See the Clearance Checklist.
Baccalaureate
Friday, May 15, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. CT, Bryan Campus Life Center
Rhodes' Baccalaureate service is a modern, inclusive celebration of our graduating students, and a time to express gratitude to those who have helped them in their journey along the way. Members of the graduating class will wear their caps and gowns and sit together as a group. Each graduating senior will receive four (4) tickets for Baccalaureate, which is held in the Multi-Sports Forum of the Bryan Campus Life Center. Those without tickets may watch the ceremony from the McCallum Ballroom in the Bryan Campus Life Center. The ceremony will also be streamed live from the Rhodes home page. Business attire is appropriate for this ceremony.
Commencement
Saturday, May 16, 8:30 – 11:00 a.m. CT, Fisher Garden Campus Map (Downloadable PDF)
Each senior participating in the Commencement ceremony will receive six (6) tickets for outdoor seating* in Fisher Garden. Full ceremony time is typically two hours. For loved ones who are not seated in Fisher Garden, the ceremony will be streamed live on the Rhodes homepage (https://rhodes.edu) and at campus viewing locations, where you can watch it. The streaming sites are: Blount Auditorium in Buckman Hall and the lobby of Burrow Hall. In addition, the livestream will include closed captioning for anyone in need of hearing assistance. (If it has rained during the week of Commencement, the ground will be soft. I do NOT recommend wearing heels or open-toe shoes.)
Fisher Garden will open for guests at 7:30 a.m. Please make sure to have your ticket with you. If you need accessibility drop-off, pull up to the guardhouse at the Phillips Lane entrance. They will direct you to the access point for Fisher Garden and the accessible parking.
Inclement Weather Plan
In case of severe weather, Commencement will be delayed for up to an hour or held in the Multi-Sports Forum of the Bryan Campus Life Center. A decision to move graduation to the Multi-Sports Forum will be made on Saturday morning. The announcement will be publicized on the Rhodes website and on social media. The main switchboard number (901-843-3000) will also have updated information.
*IMPORTANT NOTE: Four (4) of the six tickets provided for seating in Fisher Garden can be used for seating in our rain site (the Bryan Campus Life Center). These tickets will be red in color. Those without indoor tickets may watch the ceremony at the following sites: Blount Auditorium, Buckman Hall; the lobby of Burrow Hall; McCallum Ballroom, Bryan Campus Life Center; and McNeill Concert Hall on West Campus. The ceremony will also be streamed live from the Rhodes homepage ( Rhodes College Homepage | Rhodes College ).
Celebration Following Commencement
The Class of 2026 and their families and friends are invited to join President Collins and the Rhodes faculty for light refreshments in the Rollow Avenue of Oaks. If weather requires, the reception will be held in the Catherine Burrow Refectory.
Please note, there will be a photographer available in the Cloister of Southwestern Hall (Rhodes Seal) and Fisher Garden (weather permitting). These photos will be provided for complimentary download via a link sent to graduates approximately two weeks following Commencement.
