Commencement Activities
- Give
- Alumni and Parents
John Brown University
2000 W. University St., Siloam Springs, AR 72761479-524-9500
jbuinfo@jbu.edu
AWARDS & BACCALAUREATE
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2026 (Traditional Undergraduate Programs Only)
- 3:00 p.m. - Senior Awards Convocation - Cathedral
Students who are receiving an award will be notified by their faculty and asked to attend. Family and friends are welcome to come. - 4:00-4:30 p.m. - Senior Reception - Cathedral Plaza
Students and families - light refreshments. - 4:30-5:30 p.m. - Baccalaureate for Graduates and Families - Cathedral
This service of worship and celebration provides graduates an opportunity to reflect on God’s faithfulness through worship and testimony, as well as hear a final message from Dr. Pollard. Family and friends are invited.
COMMENCEMENT
SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2026 (All Programs)
- 10:00 a.m. (Doors open at 9.) - Soderquist College of Business and the College of STEM and Health Professions (traditional undergraduate, online undergraduate and graduate programs) - Bill George Arena on the campus of JBU
- 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. - Reception in Simmons Great Hall (heavy hors d'oeuvres)
- 2:00 p.m. (Doors open at 1) - College of Education and Social & Behavioral Sciences and the College of Bible, Humanities and the Arts (traditional undergraduate, online undergraduate and graduate programs) - Bill George Arena on the campus of JBU
Are you unsure which college your student's program is affiliated with? Click here.
No tickets needed. Seating is first-come, first-served. Doors open one hour before the ceremony.
Each ceremony is expected to last 75-90 minutes.
Eaglenet provides students with information about ordering regalia (cap and gown), the dress code, ceremony procedures, and more.
Campus Map & Parking Information
For a full campus parking map, click here. Please note the overflow parking lot on W. Central Street. Commencement guests may park in any lot.
JBU Campus Safety Department will assist guests with handicapped parking accommodations.
Guests who need handicapped parking accommodations are asked to turn on their emergency flashers when arriving on campus. The Campus Safety Department staff will direct them to the appropriate area.
Walking route from the ceremony to the reception in Simmons Great Hall.
Commencement details
Ordering Announcements
Graduation announcements and other Graduation Items can be ordered through Jostens. You are not required to order announcements from Jostens, but it is an option.
Accessibility and special accommodations
If any physical accommodations for guests are necessary, specifically accessibility seating or ASL interpretation, please contact:
Mr. Jarrod Heathcote
jheathcote@jbu.edu
479.524.7464
Accessible seats are available but not reserved, so we suggest families arrive early. (Doors open one hour before the ceremony.)
Hearing Assist Devices are available upon request at the event.
Photography
GradImages is the official photographer for our Commencement, commencement photos will be available to view and order at www.gradimages.com approximately 2-3 weeks after commencement. Students will be notified via email when images are ready.
Simply enter your Last Name, and your School Name (John Brown University), and select your graduation year from the drop-down menu. There you can click on the link to view your photos.
If you need additional help in locating your photos, call GradImages customer service department at 800-261-2576 or email them at giservice@gradimages.net.
Length of Ceremonies
The December graduation includes all traditional undergraduate students, online undergraduate students and graduate students and is approximately 90 minutes long.
In May, there are two ceremonies, divided by colleges. Both ceremonies will last approximately 75-90 minutes.
Diplomas
To be considered an official May 2026 graduate, documentation of all work completed must be received in the Registrar's Office by May 22, 2026. Diplomas will be mailed by July 15, 2026 to the address provided on the student's application for graduation.
Resources
Policy Information
JBU does not unlawfully discriminate based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, military status, or age in the administration of its educational policies, admissions, financial aid, employment, educational programs, or activities.
John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked regional university (U.S. News) and No. 2 private university (The Wall Street Journal), JBU enrolls more than 2,500 students from 34 states and 43 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers over 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including business, nursing, visual arts, engineering, teacher education, psychology, computer science, construction management, graphic design, family and human services, and engineering. Twelve graduate degrees are available in business, counseling and cybersecurity.
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