Author, award-winning writer to give Commencement address
MAY 7, 2024
More than 5,000 prospective graduates will celebrate with their friends and family at the University of Mississippi’s 171st Commencement ceremonies from May 8 to 12.
Morning Convocation will be held Saturday (May 11) at 9 a.m. in the Grove. The program is a campuswide celebration of graduation that includes university awards and the main Commencement speaker. Students and faculty, dressed in academic regalia, sit in the Grove with the banners of the university’s schools and colleges.
Wright Thompson, an author and ESPN writer, will give the Commencement address on the Grove stage. Thompson is an award-winning writer and longtime Ole Miss sports fan.
More than 3,400 May graduates, 671 December 2023 graduates and more than 920 August 2024 graduates will be among those participating in ceremonies throughout the week.
To avoid blocking the line of sight for others, hand-held signs are not permitted in any Commencement ceremonies.
For more details on the events, visit the university’s Commencement website, which includes travel, parking and schedule information to help graduates and their guests.
Full Commencement Schedule
All events will be held at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss, unless otherwise noted.
Wednesday (May 8)
- 6 p.m. – Graduate School doctoral hooding ceremony
Thursday (May 9)
- 11 a.m. – School of Pharmacy
- 3:30 p.m. – School of Law
- 7 p.m. – Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College
Friday (May 10)
- 9:30 a.m. – Business School master’s degree ceremony, Gertrude C. Ford Center for Performing Arts
- Noon – School of Education
- Noon – College of Liberal Arts master’s degree ceremony, Gertrude C. Ford Center for Performing Arts
- 3:30 p.m. – School of Applied Sciences master’s degree ceremony, Gertrude C. Ford Center for Performing Arts
- 4 p.m. – School of Business Administration
- 7 p.m. – Patterson School of Accountancy
Saturday (May 11)
- 9 a.m. – Convocation, the Grove. Rain location: The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss
- 11 a.m. – School of Engineering
- 11 a.m. – General Studies, Gertrude C. Ford Center for Performing Arts. This is a ticketed event.
- 2:30 p.m. – School of Journalism and New Media
- 6:30 p.m. – College of Liberal Arts
Sunday (May 12)
- 9:30 a.m. – School of Applied Sciences
Parking and Transportation
The university’s 171st Commencement ceremony will be held May 8-12, with morning Convocation on Saturday (May 11) on the Grove Stage. Photo by Kevin Bain/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
Parking for ceremonies in the Pavilion will be available in the Pavilion Parking Garage and in lots along Hill Drive. For ceremonies in the Ford Center, guest parking will be in surrounding lots.
Carpooling is strongly encouraged, and parking is not permitted along roadways, sidewalks or grassy areas. Oxford-University Transit serves the city of Oxford and the university.
Commencement ceremonies are a time of celebration, making memories and looking ahead. Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
Complimentary shuttles will be available in all lots surrounding the Pavilion. A shuttle tent will be in front of the Pavilion where guests can wait for the shuttles that will return them to their vehicles after ceremonies conclude.
No parking or drop-off will be available on University Avenue or the Circle for Convocation. Once Convocation starts, vehicle access to the Grove is limited until the ceremony concludes.
The Memphis International Airport and the University-Oxford Airport serve the Oxford community.
Accessibility Services
ADA parking: Accessible parking for all Pavilion ceremonies is recommended in the Pavilion garage off Hill Drive.
Complimentary shuttles will be available in all lots surrounding the Pavilion. A shuttle tent will be in front of the Pavilion where guests can wait for the shuttles that will return them to their vehicles after ceremonies conclude.
ADA parking for ceremonies at the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts is available in ADA parking spots in the Ford Center lot.
ADA seating: ADA seating is available in the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts. Please speak with the ushers upon arrival for assistance. ADA seating is available in the Pavilion and for morning convocation in the Grove. Please see the 2024 Commencement site for details.
ASL interpreters and closed captioning: Each ceremony will be interpreted by ASL interpreters, and closed captioning is available.
Emergency Medical Services
All information booths and ceremony venues will have basic first aid kits. EMS will be staged at various locations and available for rapid response. For immediate assistance, dial 911 or call the University Police Department, 662-915-4911.
Campus Dining Options
All campus dining locations will be open regular hours on Monday and Tuesday (May 6-7).
Wednesday (May 8)
- Student Union: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Chick-fil-A: 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Panda Express: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Blenz Bowls: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Qdoba: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
- McAlister’s: 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
Food trucks along Galtney Plaza:
- The Tea: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Pick Thai: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- HotBox Hibachi: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Shadrach’s Coffee: 7 a.m.- noon
Thursday-Friday (May 9-10)
- Student Union: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Chick-fil-A: 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Panda Express: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Blenz Bowls: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Qdoba: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
- McAlister’s: 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
Food trucks along Galtney Plaza:
- The Tea: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Pick Thai: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Shadrach’s Coffee: 7 a.m.-noon
Saturday (May 11)
- Student Union: 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Chick-fil-A: 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Panda Express: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Blenz Bowls: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Qdoba: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- McAlister’s: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.