Commencement Information for Students
Check back here for information on the dates, deadlines and important links you will need as we get closer to Commencement.
Graduate Hooding Ceremonies
Friday, May 29 at 12 pm and 2 pm eastern
RISD Auditorium
17 Canal Walk, Providence, RI
Commencement Ceremony
Saturday, May 30 at 9 am eastern
Rhode Island Convention Center
One Sabin Street, Providence, RI
Ticket information
Ticket confirmation
The deadline to order your tickets has now passed. If you placed an order by the deadline, you will receive a confirmation email in May with more information about tickets including if we are able to accommodate any additional ticket requests.
Ticket pickup
All guests will need to present tickets to gain entry to the ceremony.
Tickets will be available for pick up from 10 am–4 pm, at Career Services, 20 Washington Place on May 20–22 and 26–29. You must show either government-issued or student ID to retrieve your tickets.
Cap and gown
The deadline to order your free cap and gown has passed, no late orders will be accepted.
You will pick up your regalia at the risd:store. Pickup will be available during regular business hours (9 am–5 pm) on May 21–22 for Brown|RISD Dual Degree students, and May 26–29 for all other graduating students.
If you have any questions in the meantime, please email risdstore@risd.edu.
Student speakers
Each year, two students—one undergraduate and one graduate—deliver speeches at Commencement. The deadline to apply to to be a 2026 student speaker has now passed.
All submissions will be reviewed by a committee. If your submission is selected, you will work with an editor/speaking coach to develop and rehearse a speech to deliver at Commencement. Your speech will also appear on risd.edu and on RISD’s Vimeo channel.
Student Commencement awards
This year, one undergraduate student will be chosen as the winner of the endowed Steven Mendelson Community Service Award. The qualifications for this award are:
“A senior who through their energy, efforts, and devotion has significantly contributed to the quality, diversity, and development of the community we share at RISD, while fulfilling the requirements of a quality education.”
The nomination deadline for this award has now passed.
Senior Week events
Celebrate the Class of 2026 with your fellow graduates at these Commencement-week events.
Don’t forget
There is a lot to remember as you prepare for graduation. Don’t forget to make plans for your housing and meals, mail forwarding and having a great time with your classmates!
Commencement week housing
All graduating students who live on campus must move out by noon (12 pm ET) on Sunday, May 31. If you have questions about housing, contact Residence Life at housing@risd.edu.
Meal plans
Residential meal allotments and off-campus meal plans are active through Friday, May 29. Please check the RISD Mobile App for available dining options.
Mail forwarding
Graduating students should make arrangements to have their mail forwarded to their new address. Please use this request form to have your mail forwarded.
Set your name pronunciation in Workday
You can now use Workday to record the correct pronunciation of your name directly onto your profile. This feature allows fellow community members with Workday access to hear your name as you say it and would like to hear it—including when you walk across the Commencement stage this May.
To learn how to set or change your name pronunciation, click the link below. (For more about listening to name pronunciations in Workday, see this brief user guide.)
Brown | RISD Dual Degree Program class of 2026
In their fifth and final year of the Brown|RISD Dual Degree (BRDD) program, students complete a capstone that draws upon their experience at both institutions.
Presentations will be held from 10:30 am–3:15 pm on Tuesday, May 26 and Wednesday, May 27, in the Metcalf Auditorium located at the RISD Museum—please use the entrance at 20 North Main Street. All presentations are free and open to families, the Brown and RISD communities, and the general public. For more information, visit Brown’s BRDD presentation page.
Take RISD with you
See more about RISD items to take with you beyond commencement.
RISD Diploma
Every graduating student receives an academic diploma designed by the late John Howard Benson, a distinguished sculptor and calligrapher who taught at RISD from 1931–56.
Please direct any questions or concerns regarding diplomas, degree requirements or graduation eligibility to the Registrar via registrar@risd.edu.
Class rings
RISD does not offer an official class ring, but several alternative options are available through the Alumni Collection at the risd:store.
Yearbooks
Each year graduating seniors create an original design for the RISD Yearbook. Ordering information will be sent to students in April. Please email csi@risd.edu with any questions.
Commencement at risd:store
risd:store offers a variety of diploma and picture frames, ornaments, jewelry and other accessories to commemorate your achievement.
On the day of Commencement, RISD-related merchandise will also be available for purchase at the risd:store booth in the Rhode Island Convention Center.
More in Commencement
Fun and relatively informal, our colorful ceremony is a spirited, celebratory salute to our newest art and design standouts.
Find out about nearby transportation, hotels and lodging, and dining options, as well as important info for international families traveling to the US.
Contact us
Have questions about Commencement + Reunion Weekend? Please email us at commencement@risd.edu or call 401 454-6379.