Spring 2025 Commencement Plans Announced

Dear CSU Family,  

We hope you are enjoying this beautiful fall semester at Charleston Southern University!  

The CSU Commencement Committee is excited to announce plans for the Spring 2025 Commencement ceremonies. We will once again host undergraduate and graduate events on CSU’s campus. Please see the following schedule of our major events: 

Wednesday, May 7 at 5 p.m. – Lightsey Chapel – College of Nursing Pinning Ceremony  
Thursday, May 8 at 11 a.m. – Lawn Between WCCL and Jones Hall – Bucky’s Bon Voyage Luncheon  
Thursday, May 8 at 1:30 p.m. – Buc Dome – Graduation Rehearsal – Please note this will be required for all graduates this year.  
Thursday, May 8 at 6:30 p.m. – Buccaneer Field  – Graduate Student Commencement (includes EdD hooding ceremony)  
Friday, May 9 at 6:30 p.m. – Buccaneer Field – Undergraduate Student Commencement 

In the event of inclement weather, the university administration will make a decision to move the commencement activities by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6. The inclement weather plan will be as follows:      

Wednesday, May 7 at 5 p.m. – Lightsey Chapel – College of Nursing Pinning Ceremony   
Thursday, May 8 at 11 a.m. – Dining Hall– Bucky’s Bon Voyage Luncheon  
Thursday, May 8 at 1:30 p.m. – Lightsey Chapel – Graduation Rehearsal  
Saturday, May 10 at 9 a.m. – Lightsey Chapel – College of Education, Nielsen College of Business, and College of Adult and Professional Studies Commencement 
Saturday, May 10 at Noon – Lightsey Chapel – College of Nursing, College of Science and Mathematics and College of Health Sciences Commencement  
Saturday, May 10 at 3 p.m. – Lightsey Chapel – College of Humanities and Social Sciences and College of Christian Studies Commencement

At the spring commencement, you can look forward to a newly branded look for our graduation regalia. Each graduate will don a navy gown and cap with gold tassels that represent true Buccaneer pride. And, in discussion and coordination with the Student Government Association, we are seeking your input on this year’s tassel charm. Please respond to this brief survey no later than Tuesday, Nov. 12. We will gather this feedback and announce the decision in a future email to candidates for graduation.  

Because the undergraduate and graduate ceremonies will be held on Buccaneer Field once again, we will offer an inclement weather plan. Should we need to pivot to that plan, it will be a ticketed event with eight tickets per participant. However, there will be no tickets needed for ceremonies on the field. Please consider this when planning with your loved ones. 

Other items to note: 

1. There will be a light reception following each ceremony at Buccaneer Field (or the Dining Hall in case of weather). 
2. A photo booth will be on site for free for those who want to take fun photos with fellow grads and loved ones.  
3. A photo gallery will be provided to grads within two weeks following graduation to download photos of the event and themselves for free. In the past, a third-party vendor would provide a link to buy photos of each graduate. 

Please stay tuned for additional information and find answers to FAQs at charlestonsouthern.edu/graduation.  

-CSU Commencement Committee