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2022 SPHTM Graduation Ceremony

The class of 2022 is officially off to do great things, but you can still watch the playback of the celebrations.

mortarboard displaying words "product of the american dream"

You can also access all of the special editions of the Tidewater Times regarding graduation.

The university continues to follow City of New Orleans COVID-19 protocols, which strongly recommends indoor masking in public spaces and when taking public transportation. To remain consistent with city government, Tulane recommends graduates, guests and staff wear masks at indoor commencement ceremonies and events. If there are any changes they will be communicated promptly.

Saturday, May 21, 2022

Mahalia Jackson Theater (no tickets needed; seating is first come, first serve)
1319 Basin Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
Graduates are asked to limit their guests to no more than four (4)

Ceremony: 3pm - students must arrive at 1:30pm for check-in and robing

This year's graduation guest speaker is MD/MPH alumna, Debra Houry, the acting principal deputy director for the CDC.
This ceremony includes BSPH, master's, and doctoral graduating students in public health.
Regalia (cap, gown & hood) is required to participate in the ceremony; BSPH degree has no hood.
Graduates who arrive late or do not have academic regalia may not be able to participate.
You can purchase your regalia here.

Special Accommodations for ADA or physical limitations:

Students and guests requiring special access and accommodations due to ADA or physical limitations should email the Office of Student Experience no later than Friday, May 6 for ceremony accommodations.

Shuttle Services: The SPHTM has arranged for two motorcoaches to provide shuttle service for students and faculty throughout the day:

7:00am-2:00pm, shuttles will circulate between the Tidewater Building (1440 Canal Street) to Yulman Stadium on the uptown campus
11:30am-7:30pm, shuttles will circulate between the Tidewater Building (1440 Canal Street) to the Mahalia Jackson Theater
5:30pm-7:30pm, the Mahalia Jackson shuttles will include a stop at the corner of Conti St. and North Rampart St. near the Mardi Gras Museum of Costumes and Culture

SPHTM Graduation Parking: 550 parking spots will be available at the Mahalia Jackson Theater for $20 CASH ONLY, first come, first served.

Spots cannot be reserved, and there is no valet.
The lot will open for parking at noon.
Cars may remain in the lot until 7:00p.
Other parking options in the area can be found here.

Other

No alcohol or outside food will be allowed into the theater.
Concessions will not be sold.
Water and snacks will be provided for graduating students.
Guests and graduates are asked to remain through the ceremony to avoid interruptions to other graduates and their families.

Photography

Photographer will take photos of graduates on stage as they receive their diploma tube/cover from the dean. Photos will be available for purchase at a later date.
SPHTM will also have a photographer and a videographer capturing the festivities before, during, and after the ceremony. If you do NOT want the school taking photos of you, you MUST identify yourself to the photographer/videographer.
No flash photography is allowed during the ceremony.

Diplomas

Official diplomas will be mailed after the ceremony by the Registrar’s Office and will take 3-5 weeks for domestic and 5-8 weeks for international.

Live Stream / Overflow

The 2022 SPHTM Graduation ceremony will be live streamed and the recording will be available within 14 days of the ceremony. In the event that we go over capacity in-person at the theater, we have arranged for overflow live-stream viewing at Tidewater in the downtown Diboll Auditorium. If needed, shuttles will transfer guests from the theater to Tidewater where your guests will be able to view the live-streamed event in air-conditioned comfort.

Day of Details

Students won't be able to leave any items behind; there is no secure area. Please plan on keeping belongings with you or please leave with family members.
Graduating students are only required to bring their academic regalia (cap, gown & hood); personnel will be on site to assist with robing.
Students will check in and receive a card that is to be kept with you and taken to the stage when your degree is called.
Students will line up to march into theater and be seated by their degree, then alphabetically.
When your name is called, you'll walk across the stage to receive your diploma tube/cover and have your picture taken with the dean. (Official diplomas will be mailed out by the Registrar’s Office).

1:30 pm – Graduates MUST arrive for check-in and robing. Personnel will be on site to help with robing. Late arrivals may not be allowed to participate.

2:00 pm – Doors open for guests to begin seating before the ceremony

3:00 pm – Graduation ceremony begins

5:00 pm (approx.) – Ceremony ends with a second line recessional. Guests are asked to remain seated until all graduates and faculty are out of the theater.

5:30 pm (approx.) – Second line from Mahalia Jackson Theater begins. All graduates and their guests are invited to participate.

Second Line

A festive Second Line Parade will depart from the Mahalia Jackson Theater at the conclusion of the ceremony. All students, guests, faculty, and staff are invited to participate. If you will be participating in the second line, remember to wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather (which will likely be hot). Shuttles will transfer guests from the Tidewater Building to the Mahalia Jackson Theater for those in the overflow viewing to participate in the second line.

The parade will wend its way through the French Quarter and end at the Mardi Gras Museum of Costumes and Culture, where we will hold a celebratory reception (light hors d'eourves and open bar). Remember that the parking lot at the Mahalia Jackson Theater closes at 7pm.

Parade Map

FAQs (Click to open)

How many guests can each graduate have? Will there be tickets?

We anticipate full capacity at the Mahalia Jackson Theater. We will use seating for about 400 graduates, leaving about 1,700 seats for guests. For that reason, we are asking graduates to please limit their guests to no more than four (4) to ensure seating for everyone. Tickets will not be issued, but seating in the theater is first come, first served. Please plan accordingly and allow for room for everyone to have guests present at the ceremony.

Will alcohol and other concessions be served?

No alcohol is allowed in the ceremony. Concession stands will be closed during the ceremony.

Where will graduates and/or guests be seated?

Graduates will be seated in the front several rows of the theater. Guests have their pick to available seats around the theater, including the upper areas.

Will other events/festivals in the area interfere?

Note that there will be a festival ongoing in Armstrong Park 11am-6pm on graduation day. We do not anticipate the festival will have an impact on graduation. Festival goers will not have access to the Mahalia Jackson parking lot and coordinators for the second line are taking the festival in consideration in planning the route.

Are there two commencements?

The university will hold a Unified Commencement at 9am in Yulman Stadium. All ten schools and colleges "commence" and degrees are conferred, but graduates do not walk across the stage.

The school holds our Graduation Ceremony at 3pm in the Mahalia Jackson Theater for all degrees within our school only. Students do walk across the stage to receive a diploma tube or cover and get a photo with the dean.

I have another question about graduation. Who should I ask?

If the information you need about the SPHTM ceremony is not on this website, email the Office of Student Experience.

Additional Questions/Concerns

Contact the Office of Student Experience for any questions or concerns regarding TU School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine’s graduation ceremony.