Aggie Graduation Mark

Texas A&M University Galveston
Commencement Information

(Updated 5/07/2021)

Texas A&M University at Galveston plans to hold two in-person commencement ceremonies for our May 2021 graduates, all 2020 graduates, and license option students who will be at sea during the August 2021 ceremony. May, August and December 2020 graduates are invited to participate in the ceremony pertinent to their degree program. Graduates are asked to wear academic regalia. Cadets are asked to wear either their choker whites or salt & pepper uniform, and Commissioning Cadets should wear choker whites. 

Graduate & 3+2 Candidates Ceremony
Friday, May 14, 2021, 6:00 p.m.
Aggie Special Event Center
Texas A&M University at Galveston

Undergraduate Ceremony
Saturday, May 15, 2021, 9:00 a.m.
Galveston Island Convention Center
5600 Seawall Blvd. Galveston, Texas 77551

 

Each graduate who indicated they will attend a commencement ceremony will receive four (4) guest tickets. The tickets will be digitally distributed through students' Texas A&M email accounts. Graduates can expect to receive their tickets the week before their ceremony date. Up to two additional tickets will be provided upon request; please reply to the email you received with the initial ticket confirmation to request the two additional tickets.

Face coverings are not required but are strongly encouraged for the health and safety of our faculty, staff and students and their loved ones.

Ceremony logistics have been adjusted for the health and safety of all graduates and their guests. Please carefully read the important elements of the ceremony below to best prepare you for participation in commencement.

  • Graduates should arrive to the ceremony location wearing their regalia

  • Upon arrival, graduates will check-in and be provided with their seat number and honor stoles and cords if applicable

  • Graduates may begin check-in at 5 p.m. for the graduate ceremony, held Friday, May 14, and 7:30 a.m. for the undergraduate ceremony, held Saturday, May 15.

  • After check-in, graduates will go to their assigned seat in the auditorium and wait for the ceremony to begin.

  • During the ceremony, when the time comes for students to receive diplomas, graduates will be called by major to approach the stage.

  • Upon arrival at the stage, before your name is called, you will receive your diploma just before walking on stage.

  • As your name is called, you will cross the stage, stopping for a photo on stage. Immediately offstage, another area will be set up for a second photo. A link to purchasing photos will be added to the graduation website after graduation.

  • After taking the second photo, each graduate will exit the building

For those unable to attend, both ceremonies will be livestreamed on the Texas A&M University at Galveston Facebook page and available on the campus YouTube channel following the conclusion of the livestream.

Questions regarding commencement ceremonies should be directed to the Office of Student Enrollment Services, 409.740.4414, or to graduation@tamug.edu.

Please note: An exception is granted for the Galveston campus to allow License Option students to participate in the May commencement ceremonies in Galveston when the student is within seven credit hours of completing their degree requirements, is expected to complete those remaining credit hours and all other requirements for graduation in the summer, and is physically participating in their final required training cruise aboard a federally-controlled maritime academy training ship during the August commencement ceremony and therefore unable to participate in the August ceremony as required.

IMPORTANT:

  • ALL Participating Graduates: Please check your email for the graduation survey to submit your information, quote and photo for inclusion in the in-person and/or virtual ceremonies. Please note this is an opt-in ceremony, you must provide details to participate.

  • All Spring 2021 degree candidates must apply for graduation in the Howdy Portal at howdy.tamu.edu.

  • The Texas A&M University at Galveston Bookstore offers caps and gowns, announcements and any other graduation accessories for purchase.



The TAMU Office of the Registrar will mail diplomas directly to the May graduates after they have cleared. Please email degree-audit@tamu.edu with questions.

 

Virtual Commencement Ceremonies

Honoring Our May 2021 Graduates


Candidates for Doctoral Degrees

To Be Announced

 

Candidates for Master's Degrees

To Be Announced

 

Candidates for Baccalaureate Degrees

To Be Announced

 

 

 

Ceremonial Symbols

Academic Regalia

Throughout the world, academic institutions have created a wide variety of customs as they have attempted to indicate the accomplishments of scholars, through distinctive dress, color and ceremony. American academic regalia have developed from English traditions, which originated at Oxford and Cambridge, and have been in continual use in this country since colonial times. By the twentieth century, institutions of higher learning in the United States had adopted a well-defined system of academic costume which now includes the identification of the different academic degrees by distinctive gowns, hoods and colors.


Gonfalons

The gonfalon, a flag that hangs from a crosspiece or frame, originated in the medieval republics of Italy as an ensign of state or office. Gonfalons have been adopted by many universities around the world as college or institutional insignias.

The gonfalon of Texas A&M University Galveston Campus and the eleven colleges of Texas A&M University all have similar maroon and white patterns. The white field common to all gonfalons serves as a background for the symbol of each college. The symbol of Texas A&M University Galveston Campus is the spiral pattern of the chambered nautilus shell which conforms to the mathematical formula derived from the Fibonacci series of numbers. The blue vertical bands behind it give stability to the vast open waters of the sea.


The Mace

The University mace, carried in ceremonial procession, symbolizes the rich history or Texas A&M University Galveston Campus. The head or the mace is made of Texas mesquite: inlaid on its front is a bronze University seal. A piece of teak from the original Texas Clipper (symbolizing maritime activities) and a piece of whale tooth ivory (symbolizing scientific research and teaching activities) are inlaid on the back of the mace. The foot and coupling between the staff and head are fashioned out of brass taken from the Texas Clipper II. As a coin is traditionally put under the step (bottom) of a mast, a 1962 penny is stepped in the brass foot to commemorate the year of the school's birth as the Texas A&M Maritime Academy. In the hollow center of the brass coupling between the staff and head is a small cavity, containing historical artifacts: a 1971 penny, symbolizing the year the school expanded beyond maritime subjects; a piece of Fort Crockett, the first Galveston building used by the school; and a piece of Kirkham Hall, the first building on the Mitchell Campus.

It was presented to the University in 2006 by Steven Conway, then Director of Information Services, who turned and finished the mesquite and assembled the mace. Trenton Thornton '86 milled the brass for the foot and coupling. Dr. Stephen Curley, Regents Professor, Department of Liberal Studies, suggested historical items to include in the construction.