Graduating from college is a major achievement, and our annual commencement ceremonies are your chance to celebrate.
Read on for important information about preparing for commencement and dates for your department's ceremony.
To ensure the safety of our students, faculty and staff, the University will open at 10 a.m. on Tues., March 17. All in-person classes starting before 10 a.m. will not meet. Students are advised to check Blackboard and campus e-mail for messages and/or assignments from faculty regarding classes before 10 a.m.
Employees should report to campus for 10 a.m. Some personnel necessary to the operation of the University, including those who work in the Physical Plant, Dining Services, the Falcon Center, and Public Safety, are considered essential employees and are expected to report to campus.
Please take caution when traveling to and from campus. Additional weather updates will be communicated through our emergency alert system, social media, and the University website.
Note that due to this weather system, we anticipate closure of the top deck of the parking garage for the next few days. (This location accounts for a significant portion of winter slip, trip, and fall injuries on campus. To support the integrity of the structure, salt or other ice melting agents cannot be used. Structural deterioration from de-icers can lead to major repairs costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.) The University will alert motorists via large yellow signs posted at the traffic circle, near Turley Center, and at the top of the hill.
Graduating from college is a major achievement, and our annual commencement ceremonies are your chance to celebrate.
Read on for important information about preparing for commencement and dates for your department's ceremony.
You must wear a cap and gown to participate in a ceremony. You may place your cap and gown order online. Cap and Gown orders may be picked up at the Soar Store. The deadline for orders is March 17th, 2026. After the deadline, please contact the Soar Store directly at (304) 367-4654. Please check your student email account for updates.
Please note: Graduates are permitted to wear University honor cords (earned for academic honors) and their cord or medallion from Honor Societies. They may also wear a stole as a Student-Athlete, Pilot, Honors Program graduate or a member of a registered student organization; however, please be mindful of the solemnity of the Commencement ceremony. Please see your Academic Dean for more information about Honors Cords or your organization's advisor for information on organizational regalia.
A photographer will be at commencement to take your picture at no cost to the student. You will receive more information following the ceremony on to how to access your photos online.
Candidates for bachelor’s degrees and Associate’s degrees who have achieved special distinction in academic work will graduate with honors. Honors are determined by the cumulative quality point average of a student’s work at graduation. Three grades of honors are recognized for bachelor’s degree candidates: cum laude for a point average of 3.4-3.69; magna cum laude for a point average of 3.70-3.84; and summa cum laude for a point average of 3.85 or better. There are also three grades of honors for associate degree candidates: Honors for a point average of 3.4-3.69; High Honors for a point average of 3.70-3.84; and Highest Honors for a point average of 3.85 or better. Honor designations on diplomas are based upon the entire academic record. Honor designations on the Commencement program are based upon the academic record at the conclusion of the semester prior to Commencement
Ready for graduation, Falcons?
Mark your calendars! Fairmont State University is planning Commencement Ceremonies to take place on Saturday, May 9, 2026. The Spring 2026 Commencement ceremonies will be open to all guests. Tickets will not be used; however, seating is limited. Due to other events in the area, guests may want to plan travel and book overnight hotel accommodations early.