Celebrating the Class of 2026

Liberal Studies, Master's Degree and Doctoral Degree candidates will attend in cap and gown, which will be available for order at the Kennel Bookstore around March 2026.

Wayfinders and T.A.R.G.E.T. certificate candidates will attend in business attire. 

Stoles for the Kremen School of Education and Human Development will go on sale to the public through the Kennel Bookstore around March 2026.

Honor cords are distributed through specific department or programs. Please contact your program coordinator or department office for additional information.

Information on the sale of grad boxes will be provided when available.

Graduates are required to register in advance and there will be no ceremony rehearsal. Guests do not need tickets, and there is no limit on guests per graduate. Livestream will be available at commencement.fresnostate.edu.

ARRIVAL AND REGALIA

4:15 to 4:45 p.m.

GRADUATES arrive at the Save Mart Center loading dock.

Have your regalia over your arm until you go through security. After getting through security, you may wear your graduation gown and regalia.

4:15 to 4:50 p.m.

NAME CARDS AND LINE-UP 

4:45 to 5:15 p.m.

Liberal Studies: Pick up your name card from the tables at the bottom of the loading dock. Follow directions for lining up in the South Tunnel.
Master’s and Doctoral: Join your program’s line on the loading dock to receive your name card.

PROCESSIONAL AND SEATING

5:15 to 5:45 p.m.

GRADUATES will be guided into the tunnel in advance of the processional.

5:45 to 6 p.m

GRADUATES will walk onto the arena floor. Ushers will direct graduates to their seats.

CROSSING THE STAGE

6 to 7:30 p.m.

GRADUATES will cross the stage as part of their program with their name read aloud.

• Wayfinders Certificates
• T.A.R.G.E.T. Certificates
• Doctoral Degree Candidates
• Master’s Degree Candidates
• Liberal Studies Degree Candidates

Please note: Credential completion is celebrated at a separate event, the Credential Completion Celebration, on May 15. 

END OF EVENT

7:30 p.m.

GRADUATES and GUESTS may stand and leave after the platform party exits.

Please remain seated through the end of the ceremony. Exit up the stairs into the stands.

Tip: Designate a specific meeting location for after the event with your guests in advance.

Before going on to the stage, GRADUATES should fold the hood in half and hang it over your right arm with the sash nearest your right elbow. Do not wear your hood onto the stage. 

Once on the stage, extend your right arm to the person designated to place your hood on you. While standing on your mark, face the audience and slightly bend your knees to help the person hooding you.

• Doctoral, M.A. and M.S. program candidates will be seated on the north side of the arena floor, which is the side of the building closer to the parking lots.
• Liberal Studies, ITEP, Wayfinders and T.A.R.G.E.T. program candidates will be seated on the south side of the arena floor, which is the side of the building closer to Shaw Avenue.

• 2024 Commencement Program
• 2023 Commencement Program
• 2022 Commencement Program
• 2021 Commencement Program

2025 Commencement Program Webpage

Livestream can be viewed through the main Commencement website at commencement.fresnostate.edu.

Professional photographers will take photos and contact you after the event via email and physical mail based on what is printed on your name cards.

Share your grad experience with us on social media. Tag us at @fresnokremenedu or #KremenGrad or Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook or tag Fresno State at #FresnoStateGrad.

Clear Bag Policy: Only clear bags will be allowed inside Save Mart Center (no purses, backpacks, or totes)

Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and must not exceed 12″ x 6″ x 12.”
Small clutch bags, 4.5″ x 6.5″ x 2″ can be taken into the arena in addition to one of the approved clear bags described above.
An exception will be made for any necessary medical items, but all such items are subject to inspection prior to entry into Save Mart Center.

Visit the Save Mart Center Venue Entry Requirements webpage for the most current requirements.

The Save Mart Center arena is located at 2650 E. Shaw Avenue, Fresno, CA 93710 at the intersection of Chestnut and Shaw Avenues. For specific directions to the arena, please review the Save Mart Center visitor information.

Free parking is available during Commencement weekend. Park north of the Save Mart Center or in nearby campus parking (not at Campus Pointe) early enough to arrive at the building by 4:45 p.m. For reference, see the campus map.

Enter any Save Mart Center ground level entrance, which have security personnel and metal detectors. No guest tickets are needed. We recommend that guests arrive by 4:45 p.m. to allow time to go through security and make it to your seat in time for the processional at 5:45 p.m.

Tip: Enter the building close to the section where your graduate will be seated.

HANDICAP PARKING
Vehicles displaying a handicap placard may park closer to the buildings (left and center parking lots south of Matoian Way, directly outside of the building, as noted on the map above). Please note that the handicap parking is first-come, first-served.

Guest tickets are not needed. Seating is free and there is no limit to the number of guests each graduate may invite.

Inspection by security personnel will take place at the Save Mart Center entrances. Only bags meeting the following criteria will be allowed inside Save Mart Center (no large purses, backpacks or totes):

Clear bags not exceeding 12″ x 6″ x 12″ inches, OR
Non-clear small clutches not exceeding 4.5″ x 6.5″ x 2″ inches

An exception will be made for necessary medical items, but all such items are subject to inspection prior to entry into Save Mart Center. Please do not bring any of the prohibited items listed on the Save Mart Center website.

Visit the Save Mart Center website detailing accessibility information for guests. 

Learn about accessible seating and parking, interpretors, service animals, assisted listening devices, elevators and wheelchair escorts.