Student Information

Senior Portraits  

  • May 14 - 20, 2025

Get professional graduation photos without high costs. Photo Magic Media provide senior portrait services to Bowie State University students with their signature style. Photos will also be taken at Commencement.

Need to order your photos or make an appointment? Contact Photo Magic Media at 855-416-0016 or visit PhotoMagicMedia.com.

Graduate Sendoff  

  • Wednesday, May 21, 2025
  • 12 – 7 p.m.

Student Center Patio Activities include decorating your mortarboards (cap), meeting alumni, and enjoying light refreshments and giveaways. 

Regalia  

All regalia must be purchased in person at the bookstore.  

Rehearsal (Mandatory)  

  • Thursday, May 22, 2025
  • 3 p.m.
  • Bulldog Stadium  

Bring your cap and hood.  In the event of inclement weather, rehearsal will be held in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center, Auditorium.  

Commencement Day  

  • Friday, May 23, 2025
  • Bulldog Stadium  
  • 7 a.m. – Graduates arrive to James Gym  
  • 8:20 a.m. – Processional  
  • 9 a.m. – Ceremony (Note: All degrees will be mailed to graduates in June.)  

Arrival Time & Location

Graduates must arrive no later than 7 a.m., wearing your regalia, to check in at the James Gym. Please note that there is no storage area for belongings. Breakfast will be provided for graduates until 8 a.m.  

Tickets

Digital tickets will be sent via email. Graduates will be allowed three (5) tickets for guests attending the Bulldog Stadium and three (2) additional tickets for guests attending satellite locations. Graduates are not required to have a ticket to attend the ceremony. Please be aware that duplicating or making additional copies of tickets is strictly prohibited. All duplicated or copied ticket holders will be denied access to the graduation ceremony. Learn more about the ticketing process.

Honor Cords

Honor Cords and Name Cards will be available for pick up at breakfast, May 23, 2025, 7:30 am (bring photo ID). Honor Cords are for undergrads only. Learn more about the ticketing process.

Guests

Gates open for guests at 7:30 a.m. Family and guests are encouraged to arrive early, as general seating will be suspended at 8:15 a.m. until the conclusion of the processional. Family and guests of graduates are not allowed in the assembly area. (Strollers and umbrellas are not permitted in Bulldog Stadium.)  

Parking

On Commencement Day, graduates and persons with disabilities should park in Lot I. All other guests should park in available lots, where spaces are not designated as reserved. Parking attendants will provide assistance.  View the campus map online.

Attire

A clear bag policy will be enforced to provide a safer environment for the public and expedite entry into the Bulldog Stadium.  

Donations 

Make your class gift of $20.25 at bowiestate.edu/give.