Congratulations on your upcoming Commencement!

The entire ceremony will last an estimated two hours. If you decide to participate in the ceremony, please be mindful and respectful of all graduates participating. You are expected to remain seated until the close of the entire ceremony as we celebrate all graduates present for this occasion.

Please visit this site often for updated information! We hope to see you on Tuesday April 21^st at Moody Gardens Convention Center.

You do not need to apply for graduation, however, you must complete the Diploma Name Entry using the following steps:

1. Login to mySTAR - If you are off-campus, you will need to use VPN or Citrix and Duo.
2. Select the Profile tab
3. Select the row listing your primary name to view the name in its entirety.
   • Your diploma name options are as follows:
     • First Name, Last Name (as listed on your primary name)
     • First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name (as listed on your primary name)
     • First Name, Middle Name, Last Name (as listed on your primary name)
     • If you do not have a middle name listed in mySTAR and would like your middle name or middle initial on your diploma, you will need to submit a name change form and official documentation. Once you receive verification that your name change has been processed, you will then login and update your diploma name. The name change form can be found on the Enrollment Services website: Records and Enrollment
4. Select X to go back to the names screen.
5. Select the + sign to add a diploma name.
6. In the Type drop down, select Diploma.
7. Skip Name Format and Prefix.
8. Enter your First, Middle (if applicable) and Last Names as you want it displayed on your diploma.
   • These must be as listed on your primary name.
   • Nicknames will not be printed.
9. Enter Suffix only if applicable.
   • Professional titles will not be printed on the diploma (i.e. R.N., M.S., etc.)
10. Select Save.

Regalia Rental Instructions
Deadline: February 08, 2026
Late orders are subject to additional fees with extended deadlines. See instructions for more information.

Submission of this order will reserve your seat at Commencement.
The cost of rental is included in your student fees. Please note that the ceremony will be about two hours in length. Participating graduates are expected to remain seated till the close of the ceremony.

Deadline will be established each semester.

Purchase of a SON pin is optional and will now be organized each semester through the Student Nurses Association (SNA) for the BSN Cohort. BSN students will have the opportunity to order a pin in either the fall, spring or summer semester. Graduate students who would like to order a pin will have an opportunity each spring semester and instructions will be emailed to you.

• 08:30 AM — Graduate check-in - North Lobby
• 08:30 AM — Doors open for family and guests
• 09:30 AM — Graduate lineup - North Lobby
• 10:00 AM — Commencement begins promptly
• 12:00 PM — Commencement ends (approximate)
• 12:00 PM — Regalia return - at Moody Gardens (specific location coming soon)

Parking is available free of charge in the Moody Gardens Convention Center Parking Garage and surrounding parking lots.

UTMB photographers will take candid shots before and after the ceremony. In addition, a professional portrait will be taken of each graduate after you exit the stage. These proofs will be available for purchase at https://www.teamphotonetwork.com with son26 as the password.

A room block for overnight accommodations is available at the Moody Gardens Hotel.

A special rate of $202.00 per night (not including taxes) for Monday April 20^th, 2026 through Thursday April 23^rd, 2026 has been secured for our students.

Please reserve your room by contacting the reservations department below and specify you are with the UTMB School of Nursing Commencement:

To assist you with smaller details, we have compiled the following list of questions from previous graduates.