A volunteer stands with ASU Engineering graduates holding banners for each of their schools before a Convocation ceremony.
Fulton Schools Convocation

Staff information

Use this page as a reference for planning and coordinating the Fulton Schools Convocation events. You’ll find nomination windows and criteria, communications deadlines and required information to share with students about participating in Convocation ceremonies.

Information staff must share with students

Please review and share the following information with students, as it directly affects participation in Fulton Schools Convocation ceremonies.

Applying to graduate and registering for a ceremony are related but separate processes. Students should always apply to graduate in the semester in which they complete their coursework.

Applying to graduate

The deadline to apply to graduate is Feb. 15 or Oct. 15, and always precedes ceremony registration.

When a student applies to graduate:

  • The registrar is notified that the student is in their final semester.
  • The ceremony registration link is added to MyASU for that semester only.
  • After the semester ends, the registrar verifies that all degree requirements have been met.
  • Once the degree is officially conferred, the diploma is processed and mailed to the student.

Registering for the ceremony

Ceremony registration takes place through a third-party system (Tassel) that connects only to students who have applied to graduate for that semester. If a graduate wishes to participate in a future ceremony:

  1. They should submit a request to the Dean’s Office events team for approval.
  2. If approved, the events team will manually add the graduate to the registration system.
  3. Once added, the registration link will appear in MyASU.

Students must reserve their seats for Convocation and other ASU graduation events through Tassel on MyASU.

Deadline: Monday, April 6

Students should follow the instructions in Tassel to register.

See directions on how to register for the ceremony.

Missed registration deadline

Students who miss the ceremony registration deadline may still attend. They should:

  • Arrive at the designated check-in time for their ceremony (posted on the Convocation homepage)
  • Bring a photo ID
  • Wear their cap and gown
  • Show event staff their MyASU homepage to confirm their active graduation application

Students do not need to email the events team in advance.

Undergraduate students who have completed at least 56 semester hours of resident credit at ASU qualify for academic recognition based on the following GPA ranges:

  • Cum Laude: 3.40–3.59
  • Magna Cum Laude: 3.60–3.79
  • Summa Cum Laude: 3.80–4.00

On-campus students

Honor cords are awarded based on the student’s current GPA at the time of the request. Cords may be picked up at any University Registrar Services location.

ASU Online students

Honor cords are awarded based on the student’s GPA at the graduation application deadline. Eligible students will receive cords automatically by mail.

Academic honors will be reflected on the student’s diploma based on their final cumulative ASU GPA.

Students on F-1 or J-1 visas may generate a graduation invitation letter directly from their MyASU page, provided they have submitted a graduation application for that semester.

To access the letter:

  1. Go to MyASU
  2. Select My Program
  3. Click the Graduation tab
  4. Select Graduation Invitation Letter

For assistance, email [email protected].

Special participation accommodations

Undergraduate degree candidates who complete degree requirements in August are eligible to participate in December graduation events.

Students must:

  • Apply for graduation as a summer graduate
  • Pay all required graduation fees

Once the graduation application is submitted and fees are paid, the ceremony registration link will appear on the student’s MyASU page during the fall semester.

The student’s name will appear in the December Commencement online program under the listing of students who completed degree requirements in August.

Spring 2026 bachelor’s or master’s degree students may request to walk early in the Convocation ceremonies by filling out the early and late participation request form.

Request deadline: Thursday, April 9

Eligibility requirements:

  • Anticipated to graduate in spring 2026
  • Applied to graduate for spring 2026
  • 12 credit hours or fewer remaining after the current semester
  • Meets GPA requirement for their major
  • In good academic standing at the time of the request
  • In good financial standing with ASU

Additional early participation information

Students must apply to graduate for the semester in which they are finishing their coursework, not the semester in which they want to participate in the ceremony. Applying for the wrong semester can prevent a student from finishing coursework and earning their degree.

If a student applies to graduate for the incorrect semester, direct them to [email protected] immediately to correct the application.

After a student submits an early participation request:

  • The listed academic advisor will receive an automated email requesting approval.
  • Please respond as soon as possible.
  • Students cannot be notified of their status until advisor approval is received.

PhD candidates may not walk early unless they have extenuating circumstances and recommendations from their faculty advisors.

Requests for exceptions must be approved by the vice dean of Academic and Student Affairs.

Submit requests to: [email protected]

See rules for PhD deadlines.

Past graduates

Students may participate up to two years after degree completion (the semester during which they would normally have graduated).

In addition, graduates from

  • 2020
  • Spring 2021

who did not have the opportunity to participate in an in-person ceremony may participate in Convocation.

Students should complete the designated form to begin the process.

Past graduates do not have access to the MyASU invitation letter option and should email [email protected] for assistance.

Delaying participation

Fulton Schools graduates may participate in a future Engineering Convocation ceremony within two years of the semester in which they earned their degree. Students who choose not to participate during their graduation semester should:

  • Not register for the current ceremony
  • Ignore ceremony communications
  • Continue to apply for graduation in the semester they complete their coursework
  • Not contact the Dean’s Office events team unless they plan to participate

Important reminders

  • Applying to graduate too early can block future course registration.
  • Applying too late can delay degree conferral.

After the degree has been officially conferred, graduates may submit a late participation request to attend a future ceremony within the two-year window.

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Outstanding Graduate and IMPACT Award nominations

Schools should submit Outstanding Graduate nominees and IMPACT Award nominees (undergraduate or master’s degree students) based on the criteria given below:

Undergraduate Outstanding Graduate

Deadline window: Monday–Friday, Oct./Mar. 4–10

Criteria:

  • Minimum 3.25 GPA
  • Undergraduate students only
  • Evidence of participation in Fulton Schools or major-specific student engagement activities
  • Community activities may be considered
  • Graduating this semester

Number of recipients:

  • Each school nominates one undergraduate to carry their school gonfalon.
  • There is one Outstanding Undergraduate per program.

Selection process: Selected by each program

University Outstanding Graduate

Deadline window: Oct./Mar. 4–10

Each school may nominate one graduate for the University Outstanding Graduate recognition.

Important notes:

  • These students are recognized at University Commencement, not Fulton Schools Convocations.
  • Schools may nominate IMPACT Award recipients or Convocation speaker nominees.
  • One student is selected to advance on behalf of the Fulton Schools.

Requirements:

  • Students must be completing their degrees in the semesters they are nominated.
  • Students who completed coursework in previous semesters are not eligible.
  • Students must be available to participate in a short video produced by ASU Enterprise Brand Strategy and Management.
  • Students must attend University Commencement on Monday, May 11.

IMPACT Award

Deadline window: Oct./Mar. 4–10

Criteria:

  • Minimum 3.25 GPA
  • Designed for undergraduates; master’s degree students may be nominated
  • Evidence of impact aligned with the Fulton Difference or other university leadership roles
  • Community activities may be considered
  • Graduating this semester

Number of recipients:

  • Maximum of 10 students per semester across the Fulton Schools

Selection process:

  • Nominations accepted from schools, Global Outreach and Extended Education and Academic and Student Affairs
  • Selected by the Academic and Student Affairs committee

Convocation speaker nominations

Deadline window: Oct./Mar. 4–10

Each school should nominate:

  • One undergraduate student to speak at the Engineering Undergraduate Convocation
  • One graduate student to speak at the Engineering Graduate Convocation

Criteria:

  • Minimum 3.25 GPA
  • Undergraduate or graduate students
  • Evidence of participation in Fulton Schools student engagement activities
  • Community activities may be considered
  • Consider verbal communication skills, presence and prior speaking experience
  • Graduating this semester

Selection process:

  • Nominations accepted from schools, GOEE and Academic and Student Affairs
  • Selected by the Academic and Student Affairs committee

Student features

Schools are encouraged to highlight students through the Convocation video content and Fulton Schools communications.

Engineering convocation video

Deadline window: Oct./Mar. 15

Schools are asked to submit a list of students who would be strong representatives in the Convocation video, which is shown at both undergraduate and graduate ceremonies.

Send suggested student names to Daniel Traynor, creative services manager, at [email protected].

Student stories

Deadline window: Nov./April 1

Schools are encouraged to share student stories with the Fulton Schools communications team so they may be considered for website and social media features.

Stories should focus on students who:

  • Performed well academically
  • Faced challenges during their academic journey

Send your stories to Lanelle Strawder, assistant director of communications, at [email protected]. Use the subject line “GRAD STORY” in the email.