Saturday, May 9
10:00 AM | Frann's Fieldhouse
General Information
Please note the following dates, times, and locations for our various Commencement events. Questions regarding graduation requirements should be directed to your academic advisor.
All bills must be paid in full in the Business Office by May 1, 2026, to participate in the Commencement ceremony.
If you have any questions, please contact Bekki Blickenstaff at 419-448-2183 or bblicken [at] heidelberg.edu (bblicken[at]heidelberg[dot]edu).
Attire and Academic Regalia
Attire is cap, gown, and hood. Academic gowns are intended to be worn full length and should not be shortened by hemming, basting, etc. Approved medals and cords may be worn. See Academic Regalia Policy at inside.heidelberg.edu/commencement-2026.
Caps, gowns, and hoods have been ordered and will arrive approximately the last week in April. Students will be notified through their Heidelberg email when they are ready to be picked up at the Bookstore. Candidates may keep the cap, gown, and hood. For any questions, please contact Erikka Breidenbach at ebreiden [at] heidelberg.edu (ebreiden[at]heidelberg[dot]edu).
Business Office Hours
The Bookstore will be open during regular hours so that you may pick up the academic attire reserved for you:
Regular Hours
Monday-Friday | 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Special Hours, Commencement Weekend
Friday, May 8 | 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Saturday, May 9 | 12:00 PM-4:00 PM
Graduation Announcements, Diploma Frames, and Class Rings
Announcements, diploma frames, and class rings are available to order through Herff-Jones. Please visit the Heidelberg page on the Herff-Jones website at collegegrad.herffjones.com.
Tickets
Each graduate participating in the Commencement ceremony will receive 8 tickets. Commencement tickets may be picked up in the Business Office beginning May 1, 2026.
No one will be admitted to Commencement without a ticket.
All bills must be paid in full by May 1, 2026, to receive your Commencement tickets.
Questions concerning Commencement should be directed to commencement-questions [at] heidelberg.edu (commencement-questions[at]heidelberg[dot]edu).
Schedule of Events
Commencement Rehearsal | Friday, May 8, 2026
10:00 AM | Frann's Fieldhouse
(Undergraduate and Graduate)
ALL UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS RECEIVING
DEGREES MUST BE PRESENT AT REHEARSAL. GRADUATE STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND.
At rehearsal, the Class of ’26 will meet with Dr. Courtney DeMayo Pugno, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost; Dr. Nathaniel Beres, Dean of Academic Strategic Operations and Associate Professor of Chemisty; Faculty Marshals Dr. Ryan Musgrave, Dr. Jena Suffel, Ms. Lauren McGraw, and Dr. Brandon Van Ness; and Ms. Ashley Helmstetter, Vice President for Advancement, Marketing, Alumni, and Community Relations. Please be prepared to confirm the phonetic pronunciation of your name. You will complete a survey for the Alumni Office. The class will present its banner to President Rob Huntington. Each graduate will be assigned their position in the marching line, their seat in the correct order for receiving their diploma, and will receive final instructions for the ceremony.
Baccalaureate | Friday, May 8, 2026
4:00 PM | Gundlach Theatre
Baccalaureate will be in Gundlach Theatre for degree candidates, families, and friends with open seating. This interfaith worship service will include readings from religious texts, prayers, special music, and a sermon. The heritage between the United Church of Christ and Heidelberg University is also celebrated in this gathering. Students from Religious Life will lead the service. No ticket is required.
Attire: No academic regalia for graduates unless a part of the Platform Party.
Commencement Line Up | Saturday, May 9, 2026
9:15 AM | Various Locations
All degree candidates will line up promptly at 9:15 AM.
- Master’s degree candidates will line up in Seiberling
Gymnasium - Bachelor’s degree candidates will line up in Seiberling
Gymnasium - Faculty members will line up in the Phi Lobby on the first
floor of Saurwein Health & Wellness Center
Each degree candidate will take the position that was assigned to them at rehearsal.
Commencement Procession
9:50 AM | Starting at Saurwein
The procession of degree candidates, faculty, Trustees, and the Platform Party departs from Seiberling Gym and the Saurwein rear exit and down the ramp to the football field. From there, the procession will follow the paved bike path to Main Street, cross Main at the bridge, and proceed into Frann’s Fieldhouse.
In case of inclement weather, graduates will gather in the Turf Room inside Frann’s Fieldhouse, entering through the large back doors. A decision will be made by 7 AM and posted on Heidelberg’s website. Students will also be notified via SendWordNow.
Commencement Ceremony
10:00 AM | Frann's Fieldhouse
Doors will open at 9:00 AM.
Accessible Seating ticket holders will be admitted at 8:30 AM.
(See Accessible Seating section for more information.)
Recessional
Following the ceremony, the faculty will process to the front area of Frann’s Fieldhouse and form two lines facing each other. The graduates will recess through the faculty lines and meet their families and guests at a pre-arranged location in front of the Fieldhouse.
Parking
Parking is limited at and in the vicinity of Frann’s Fieldhouse, so we recommend that you arrive early. General parking is available at King Hall, Krieg Hall, and the F & G lower parking lots. We will provide shuttle service at various campus locations to transport you to the Fieldhouse. (See Online Campus Map at www.heidelberg.edu/map)
Handicapped parking is available at the Fieldhouse via the Walker Street entrance. Please plan to arrive early. Doors will open at 8:30 / 9:00 a.m.
Please note that Main Street, between Prospect Street and Hedges Street, will be blocked beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Photographer
Heidelberg University has made arrangements with the staff of a local photography company, Keith Hodkinson Photography, to take portraits of all graduates as they receive their diploma during the ceremony. Photos will be taken at the moment the diploma is presented to each graduate. An order form is enclosed for your convenience. Please return the form to the photographer.
This form is also available on the Heidelberg website at inside.heidelberg.edu/commencement/order.
Security
Guests are subject to visual inspection of person, bags, and clothing capable of concealing prohibited items.
Accessibility Seating
If a member of your family requires accessible seating, please notify Alyssa Kontak by emailing accessibilityservices [at] heidelberg.edu (accessibilityservices[at]heidelberg[dot]edu) with the individual’s name. If the individual will be using a wheelchair or scooter, this must be clearly indicated in your request so appropriate accommodations can be arranged.
Accessible seating will be reserved for the individual and one escort in the designated Accessible Seating section. It is the graduate’s responsibility to submit this request by April 28, 2026.
Guests with Accessible Seating tickets will be admitted at 8:30 AM. Doors for general seating will open at 9:00 AM. The Accessible Seating area will be held until 9:45 AM, after which any unclaimed seats will be released for general admission.