ACE Commencement

The Save the Date and subsequent notice of commencement registration emails were only sent to students eligible for graduation. If you did not receive an email but think you are an eligible graduate, reach out to [email protected].  

Important note for all students: Only students who complete the registration process will have their names read aloud as part of the in-person or virtual ceremonies.  

Important note for Ed.D. candidates: Ed.D. candidates must successfully defend their dissertation at least 30 days prior to commencement. If the dissertation is not successfully defended for any reason, the candidate will no longer be able to participate in commencement.  

Important note for bachelor’s, master’s and education specialist students: If a graduate date is extended due to a change in enrollment or class progression to a date later than Sept. 21, 2025, the student will no longer be eligible to participate in their year’s commencement.  

No. Because ACE emails close six months after you complete your program, all commencement information is sent to the personal email address we have on file for you. 

Students who are financing their education must be current on all payments to their lenders.

No, tickets will not be required for your guests. To ensure ample seating for each ceremony, we ask that each student bring no more than ten (10) guests. For planning purposes, we ask that you include the number of guests you intend to bring to commencement on the commencement registration form. Guest names are not required.  

There are over 15,000 parking spaces within a 10-minute walk of Nationwide Arena in surface lots and parking garages. Surface lot and garage prices vary depending on location. For a map of parking options close to the venue, reference this guide provided by Nationwide Arena. 

Please note that ALL pick-ups and drop-offs take place on West Street. Vehicles must be attended at all times. Unattended vehicles may be towed. 

We want to ensure our in-person commencement ceremony is accessible to all graduates. If you are attending commencement in person and you or your guests require ADA accommodations, please email [email protected] to let us know. For more information about Nationwide Arena’s accessibility accommodations, visit their website. 

The number of accessible parking spaces near Nationwide Arena exceeds ADA standards. Surrounding lots and garages offer accessible spaces (with state-issued disability-parking hangtag). 

KDP members should have received cords when they joined. If you still need to order KDP cords, you can do so here.

Sigma members should have received cords when they joined. If you still need to order Sigma cords, you can do so here. 

Ed.D. graduates will only walk during the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony at 11 am ET. Ed.D. graduates can attend the afternoon ceremony if they would like to, but only as a guest.  

All eligible graduates should have received an email about commencement registration in January. If you did not receive an email but think you are an eligible graduate, reach out to [email protected]. We can research any student who should have received the invite based on their eligibility.  

Graduates can only participate in the commencement ceremony created for their graduating class.  

All graduates and guests are expected to abide by Nationwide Arena’s security and bag policies. For more information about Nationwide Arena’s security screenings, limited bag policy and prohibited items, visit their website. 

Your guests can start making travel plans as soon as you confirm your attendance at commencement by registering. Those who plan on flying to Columbus should check their registration confirmation email for information on discounted fare options with Southwest Airlines. For more information on Columbus accommodations, visit ExperienceColumbus.com.  

ACE will not provide honors cords to in person or virtual attendees. If you’d like to purchase honors cords, you can do so on the Jostens site.

We will only be recognizing certain programs during certain ceremonies. Therefore, you will only be able to attend the ceremony that corresponds with your degree program.  

You can switch how you attend commencement by going back to the registration form and updating it. All changes were required to be made by Wednesday, April 30, 2025. After that date, we cannot accommodate any further changes as video production will have begun.  

Yes. Graduates attending our virtual commencement can submit their headshot as part of the registration form.  

Registration for both in-person and virtual ceremonies closed on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

Please see this video tutorial on how to help graduates with their master’s or doctoral regalia.