Event Information:
The Honors Graduation Ceremony will take place at...
Power Center for the Performing Arts
Thursday, April 30th, 2026
The ceremony begins at 4:00pm.
Ticketing:
Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis. Please only pick up what you plan to use. All graduates and guests must have a ticket to enter the Power Center. Graduates can pick up their ticket, plus up to two (2) guest tickets April 13, 2026 through April 17, 2026 at the Honors Office (1330 Mason Hall). Additional tickets remaining after this window will be available from April 20, 2026 through April 28, 2026.
If your plans change after you have picked up tickets, PLEASE return those you no longer need to the Honors Office. While we typically have enough seating for the number of folks who’d like to attend, we cannot admit grads/guests that do not have a ticket, so if you can no longer use yours, please return it so that someone else can.
Venue:
Power Center for the Performing Arts
121 Fletcher Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Google Directions/Map
Parking & Accessibility:
Parking is available in the attached Fletcher Street Parking Structure. This includes accessible parking.
Wheelchair accessibile seating and companion seating is available. Event staff will be able to direct and assist.
Are you a graduate who is unable to attend Honors Graduation?
With so many end-of-term activities, we understand that you may not be able to attend the LSA Honors Program's graduation ceremony. The ceremony will be available to live stream.
YouTube Livestream: The link to the YouTube Livestream will go live on Thursday, April 30th, at 3:00pm.
Open House: Graduates unable to attend the Honors ceremony are encouraged to stop by to pick up their Honors cords and certificates at the Honors Office on Friday, May 1st, from 10:00am - 1:00pm.
Other Honors Graduation FAQs:
Can I sit with my friends?
Yes! When you arrive, you will get your walking card in the Rehearsal Room and can line up with whomever you’d like. We do not have a prescribed order for walking in Honors Graduation.
Can I sit with my family?
No, we have a reserved section for graduates, as they will process in and out together. Plus, it helps make Roll Call go smoothly.
I have another ceremony that butts up against Honors Graduation - can I be late/leave early?
We should be able to accommodate you! Please email Jacquelyn Turkovich (honors.auditor@umich.edu) with your specific situation. But, in general, if you need to leave early, line up near the front of the procession, so you will walk across the stage early in the program. Return to your seat briefly before discreetly exiting (but don’t forget to visit the Rehearsal Room before you go!) For late arrivals, please try to let us know ahead of time so we can be prepared. You will also still need to visit the Rehearsal Room when you arrive to pick up your walking card.
Do you have accessible seating?
Yes! The Power Center has accessible seating. Event staff will be on-hand to assist, if needed.
Honors Cords and Distinction Cords:
Honors cords are gifted to Honors graduates during our graduation ceremony and are not available for purchase.
Distinction (GPA) cords are available for purchase at the bookstore. These maize cords are for graduates who earn Distinction/High Distinction/Highest Distinction. The College of LSA does not award Latin Honors (cum laude, etc.). Instead, degrees ‘with distinction’ are awarded on the basis of rank in class. Students who have completed at least 58 credits in residence, at least 45 of which are “graded” (A+ to D-), and rank in the top 3% of their class are recommended for a degree “with Highest Distinction.” Those students who rank in the top 10% of their class, but not in the top 3%, are recommended for a degree “with High Distinction.” Those students who rank in the top 25% of their class, but not in the top 10%, are recommended for a degree “with Distinction.” A notation is made on the diploma and the transcript. The GPA ranges for the distinction notations are determined each May, based on the cumulative GPAs of LSA graduates of that May degree period. Those same numbers are used for the August and December degree periods of that calendar year.
So, winter 2025 distinction ranges will not be calculated until all grades are posted for all graduates for the winter 2025 term. Yes, this means you will not officially know at the time you participate in commencement activities.
Attire: Graduation attire is strongly encouraged but is not required for the LSA Honors Graduation Ceremony. Graduation attire is required for the U-M's Commencement in the Big House.
