This information is for graduating students. It is designed to help get you through the big day, including a schedule, a to do list, instructions for the day itself, and a list of frequently asked questions.

Schedule

Friday, May 10, 2024

12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Students should pick up their graduation apparel (cap, tassell, gown, hood, & gift) from just inside the front circle of the Fuqua School of Business off of Fuqua Drive.

**You can have a friend pick up your apparel for you if you can't be at Fuqua before 6:00pm.**

Saturday, May 11, 2024

8:00 am - 8:30 am
Class Photographs - Outside of Cameron Indoor Stadium (please arrive early & be dressed in cap and gown so photos can start at 8:00am)

8:40 am
Formal lineup at Cameron Indoor Stadium, Rubenstein Lobby

8:50 am
Procession into Cameron

9:00 am
Graduation ceremony begins

11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Reception at the Fox Student Center, The Fuqua School of Business (All graduates and their guests are invited)

Sunday, May 12, 2024

8:15 am
Student line up on the Football Practice Field

9:00 am
Procession into Wallace Wade Stadium

9:30 am
Graduation ceremony begins

*Note: A ticket will be required for guests to etner the university-wide commencement ceremony at Wallace Wade Stadium. Additional information on how to register for tickets will be provided in the coming weeks.*

To Do List

If you have not already done so, you and your guests should make hotel reservations now!

You can visit the Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau for area information and lodging options.

Below are links to an electronic graduation announcement and invitation that you can share with family and friends.
Note: Invitations are not required to attend the graduation ceremony.

In late March/early April, you will be asked to complete a graduation attendance survey. It is critical you complete this survey as it enables the Executive MBA & MSQM Programs Office to plan accordingly for the graduation day festivities.

Part of the graduation attendance survey asks if you or any of your guests need special accommodations in regard to parking or seating. Please pay special attention to this section as you are completing the survey so we can make sure we are prepared for you and your guests.

Graduation apparel will be purchased for you. Please ignore all emails from Duke regarding a cap and gown!

On Friday, May 10, graduating students will need to go to the front circle of the Fuqua School of Business (from Fuqua Drive) between 12:00 pm and 6:00 pm to pick up their graduation apparel just inside Fuqua's Keller East Building. If you are unable to pick up your apparel during this time period, please have a classmate pick it up for you. You can also pick up your apparel on Saturday morning starting at 7:30 am outside of Cameron Indoor Stadium. Friday afternoon pick-up is strongly encouraged! The staff members handing out the caps and gowns will show you how the hood is to be worn, as it can be a bit tricky!

Graduating students will have a class photo (by cohort) taken outside the North entrance of Cameron Indoor Stadium starting at 8:00 am on Saturday, May 11. Students should come dressed in their apparel or allow time to put their apparel on before the class photos.

All students should gather at Cameron Indoor Stadium, in Rubenstein Lobby, by 8:40 am on Saturday, May 11th for formal lineup for the graduation ceremony.

All graduating students will receive their diplomas in the mail 4-6 weeks after the graduation ceremonies. Graduates will not receive the actual diploma during the ceremony.

Students have the opportunity to purchase class rings through Jostens. Rings are available in a variety of styles for men and women.

Graduation Day Instructions

This information will help you prepare for all the activities on graduation day.

Tickets are not required for the Graduation Ceremony in Cameron Indoor Stadium. There is ample seating in the stadium. 

Caps and Gowns

Your hood should be worn draped around your neck with the largest portion of the hood hanging down your back. The velvet border, which indicates your specific field of study, should be showing on the outside. The velvet should fold under on the lower back to allow the colors to show.

Here are a few things to keep in mind for graduation apparel:

  • If possible, wear a shirt that buttons in the front. This will allow you to hook a string from the hood to the button, keeping the hood from sliding. If you do not wear a shirt with buttons, it is recommended you bring saftey pins to secure the hood. 
  • Those with longer hair may want to bring hair pins to help secure their cap.
  • Business casual or business formal should be worn under your gown. To avoid overheating, gentlemen are encouraged to leave their suit jackets with friends or family during the ceremony.
  • The tassel of the academic cap is typically worn on the left front side; however, for photography purposes we ask that you wear your tassel on the right side during the ceremony.
  • Leave all personal items with family members.

Children at the Ceremony

Children are welcome to attend the ceremony. Please make sure you have someone available to supervise children while you participate in the graduation ceremony.

Class Photograph

Class photos will be taken by cohort prior to the ceremony based on the following schedule.

  • 8:00 am - The Weekend Executive Class of 2024
  • 8:15 am - The Global Executive Class of 2024 
  • 8:25 am - The MSQM: Business Analytics Class of 2024
  • 8:30 am - The MSQM: Health Analytics Class of 2024
  • 8:35 am - The Accelerated MSQM: Business Analytics Class of 2023

A professional photographer will take the class picture and individual student photos during the ceremony and graduates will have access to all photos at no cost.  Guests are encouraged to take pictures during the ceremony and reception, but we ask that they not interfere with the procession of students and avoid blocking the view of other guests.

Procession

All students (GEMBA, WEMBA, & MSQM) will gather in the Rubenstein Lobby at Cameron Indoor Stadium immediately after their class photo  and will be asked to line up alphabetically. After you have lined up, staff ushers and a bagpiper will lead you into Cameron Indoor Stadium. When the procession begins, please follow the lead of the ushers in charge; they will direct you to your appropriate seating. Please remain standing until the processional music has ended. Procession into Cameron begins at 8:50 am. We ask that your guests be seated by 8:30 am.

Ceremony

There will be a program at your seat that you may use to follow the ceremony. When it is time for you to receive your diploma cover, you will be given instructions by the ushers. Please be alert to their instructions, particularly if you are seated at the end of a row. Once your name is called, walk across the stage to receive your diploma cover. Please proceed down the stairs stage right and, if applicable, return to your seat and be seated.

Process Out

The faculty and staff on stage will process off the stage, past the graduates. After the group on stage processes out, an usher will direct the first row of graduates to follow. Graduates process out row by row. Please continue all the way outside of Cameron Indoor Stadium, allowing all graduates to leave the stadium in a timely fashion. Following the ceremony, students are welcome to take pictures in Cameron Indoor Stadium with their guests and classmates. However, please note that set up for another graduation ceremony will begin taking place at the conclusion of the EMBA & MSQM graduation ceremony.

Reception

Immediately following the graduation ceremony, there will be a reception in the Fox Student Center at The Fuqua School of Business. The reception will include savory and sweet finger foods, as well as wine, beer, and non-alcoholic options. All graduates, family and guests are invited.

Tickets for Guests

New this year, a ticket will be required for guests to enter the university-wide commencement cermony at Wallace Wade Stadium. Additional details on how to register for tickets will be provided soon.

When and Where to Line Up

All degree candidates should report to the processional line-up located in the Pascal Field House in Wallace Wade Football Stadium no later than 8:15 am. More detailed instructions are available on the Duke Commencement website.

Processional Instructions

Processional instructions are available on the Duke Commencement website.

What Not to Bring

No food, drink (other than water), or chewing gum allowed in the line-up area. Smoking and vaping are also not permited in line. Backpacks and oversized purses that do not fit underneath gowns will be confiscated and held until the end of the ceremony.

Spiked heels are prohibited.

What to Wear

Candidates for degrees should dress in academic apparel (cap, gown and hood). Academic caps are worn during the procession. Men remove their caps for the National Anthem and the Invocation and replace them for the conferring of degrees. Women keep their caps in place during the entire ceremony. The tassel of the academic cap is worn always on the left and front side. Please note low heels or flats are appropriate for navigating the procession.

Recessional Instructions

When the ceremony is concluded and members of the faculty and administration have departed, graduates will recess from the seating area via the marked pathways.

Frequently Asked Questions

Before Graduation

Below is an electronic graduation announcement and/or invitation you can share with family and friends. Here are the links:

  • Global Executive Class of 2024 - Announcement & Invitation
  • Weekend Executive Class of 2024 - Announcement & Invitation
  • MSQM: Business Analytics Class of 2024 - Announcement & Invitation
  • MSQM: Health Analytics Class of 2024 - Announcement & Invitation
  • Accelerated MSQM: Business Analytics Class of 2023 - Announcement & Invitation

There is no limit on the number of guests that you are allowed to bring to the Saturday ceremony and reception, and no tickets are required. However, students are required to indicate the number of guests attending on the graduation survey that will be sent to all students. This enables the EMBA & MSQM Programs Office to prepare adequately for space layout, seating, and food. Tickets are not required for the graduation ceremony. Seating is first-come, first-served unless otherwise reserved.

 

Graduation Day

Children are welcome to attend the graduation ceremonies and reception. We encourage you to bring the entire family and understand that children are an important part of this celebration. If you have a young child or children, please make sure an adult other than yourself is able to supervise them while you participate in the class photo, line-up, and ceremony.

The Science Drive Garage (302 Science Dr., Durham, NC 27708) is the primary parking location for the EMBA graduation ceremony. Signage will direct you to Cameron Indoor Stadium but you should plan for the walk to take 10-15 minutes. Use this map as a resource for parking and walking directions to the stadium.

Graduating students will receive their diplomas in the mail 4-6 weeks after the graduation ceremonies. 

All graduation apparel belongs to the student and does not need to be returned. Students participating in the Duke Commencement ceremony on Sunday should keep track of their apparel on Saturday, as replacements will not be available. If you do not wish to keep all of your graduation apparel, Fuqua's Net Impact Club will have bins available at Fuqua on Saturday where you can donate unwanted items.

After Graduation

If you need access to Fuqua after graduation, please contact the Building Management Office (BMO) at 919-660-7734 or operations-bmo@fuqua.duke.edu before May 10, 2024. If you reach out to the BMO after that date, a longer process in gaining access will be required. 

Please visit the library's webpages for recent graduates for what databases are available to alumni as well as how to borrow books after to after graduation.

If you have a balance due at the Bursar's Office, you will need to be pay it as soon as possible or your diploma and transcript will be held.
The Bursar's website has information on payment options.

To request a copy of your transcript or degree verification, please visit the University Registrar website.