Walton College Commencement

Sam M. Walton College of Business
Spring 2026 Commencement

Spring Commencement will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026. 

The Sam M. Walton College of Business Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Bud Walton Arena. Undergraduate ceremonies will take place at 8:30 a.m. or 1:00 p.m., depending on the student’s primary major, and the graduate student ceremony will be held the same day at 11:00 a.m. The commencement team is actively working to enhance the overall ceremony experience, with each ceremony planned to last no longer than 1.5 hours. We strongly encourage all graduates and guests to remain for the full ceremony as we celebrate the accomplishments of the Walton College Class of 2026. 

Information for Students and Guests 

Undergraduate Ceremonies

8:30 a.m.

• Accounting (Undergraduate and Integrated Master of Accounting)
• Economics
• Bachelor of Science in International Business
• Finance
• Information Systems

1:00 p.m.

• General Business
• Management
• Marketing
• Supply Chain Management
• Strategy, Entrepreneurship, and Venture Innovation

 Graduate Ceremony 

11:00 a.m.

• Accounting (Master of Accountancy, Master of Professional Accounting, and PhD)
• Economics (Master of Arts in Economics, Master of Science in Economic Analytics, and PhD)
• Finance (Master of Science in Finance and PhD)
• Information Systems (Master of Information Systems, Master of Applied Business Analytics, and PhD)
• Management (PhD)
• Master of Business Administration
• Marketing (Master of Science in Marketing and PhD)
• Supply Chain Management (Master of Science in Supply Chain Management, and PhD)
• Strategy, Entrepreneurship, and Venture Innovation (Master of Science in Product Innovation, and PhD)

Regalia

Candidates for degrees must wear robes appropriate to their degree without added adornment such as beads or flowers. Approved adornments are specific to academic and leadership recognition and are distributed through the Walton College. For information regarding Regalia pick-up dates and times, visit the Registrar's Student Regalia page.

Guests

There is no limit to the number of guests students may invite to commencement.

Graduate Check In

1. Before the ceremony, please print off your Grad Pass from the Marching Order email and bring it with you to the ceremony.

2. Graduates should enter through the truck tunnel just off California Boulevard, located on the EAST side of Bud Walton Arena near Adohi Hall.

3. Upon arriving at Bud Walton, enter the truck tunnel and out to the floor seating. Your seat assignment will be listed on your Grad Pass.

4. When you find your seat, you will pick up your Grad Card. DO NOT LOSE YOUR CARD – you will keep this card until you go on stage.

5. Candidates for graduation will proceed to the stage as directed by the Line Coordinators.

6. As your name is called, you will walk across the stage and receive congratulations.

Parents or Guests Entrances

All guests will be required to enter through the south or west entrances of Bud Walton Arena. All other entrances will be blocked for security purposes. We recommend guests plan to arrive early. Find more information for families and guests here.

Pictures

A professional photographer will be taking pictures during and after the awarding of diplomas.

Parking

On commencement day, there will be limited parking adjacent to Bud Walton Arena designated for persons working at the commencement ceremony. Graduates and guests may park in lots 46, 47N, 47S, 56, and 74 (A, B, C, and E). Find these areas on the Spring Commencement Parking Map.

Persons with Mobility Impairments

Guests with mobility impairment may be DROPPED OFF at the south entrance of Bud Walton Arena with disabled parking available in lot 60. Please review the disabled parking map for more details. We recommend that guests with mobility impairment arrive no later than 2:30 p.m for the 1st ceremony and 5:30pm for the 2nd ceremony. Spaces will be limited due to the fact that the University Commencement will be ending at the time that Walton College guests will be arriving. Ushers will be available inside the arena to assist them in locating the elevator and seating. The handicapped seating will be available on the concourse level of the arena.

Graduates who will require accommodations during the ceremony (i.e. require an interpreter, wheelchair access, etc.) should advise Walton College via e-mail at engagement@walton.uark.edu in advance, so that necessary arrangements can be made. Please contact 479.575.4220. if you have questions, concerns, or suggestions.

More Information

For futher information on University Commencement, visit the Registrar's commencement page.

Bud Walton Arena

Bud Walton Arena (also known as the Basketball Palace of Mid-America) is the home to the Razorback men's and women's basketball teams. It is located on campus and has a seating capacity of 19,368.

Photographs

A professional photographer will be taking pictures during the awarding of diplomas and he will contact you later to arrange for prints. We invite family and friends to feel free to use cameras.

Framed Diplomas

For University of Arkansas graduates:
Framed diplomas and sidewalk rubbings...