Graduation

This page is your resource for all information about Scalia Law’s 2026 convocation ceremony. Visit this page often for updates.

Important Dates

Graduation Information

Spring Commencement — University Wide
Thursday, May 14, 2026
9:30 a.m.
EagleBank Arena (Mason Fairfax Campus)
4500 Patriot Circle
Fairfax, VA 22030

The University Commencement is officiated by the President of George Mason University and recognizes all 2026 graduates of George Mason University. The Law School will not have an official presence, but law students may participate if they choose. Information about the University Wide Commencement can be found on the Mason Graduation webpage.

Antonin Scalia Law School Convocation Ceremony
Saturday, May 16, 2026
1:30 p.m.
Concert Hall, Center for the Arts (Mason Fairfax Campus)
4373 Mason Pond Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030

The Law School Convocation Ceremony is a special ceremony for law graduates only. The ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m., but students should arrive by 12:00 p.m. to gown, take a group photo, and stage for the ceremony.

Graduation Speaker

Luke Nichols (JD ’09)

Ticketing for the ASLS Convocation

Ticketing will be supported by main campus through the Tassel ticketing portal. The ticket claim process will start in early March, and run through early April. Please note: you will only receive emails about these tickets if you RSVP’ed “yes” for the May 16^th Law School Convocation ceremony on your graduation application to the Records Office.

We anticipate that each student will be able to claim up to six tickets for guests at the Law School’s Convocation ceremony on May 16, but the final ticket count is subject to change based on the number of RSVPs we receive.

Watch for an email from gmuevent@tassel.com in early March with details about claiming tickets for the Law School’s May 16^th Convocation ceremony. The deadline to claim Law School Convocation tickets will be in early April. If there are tickets remaining after the initial claim period closes, the law school will run a lottery for students to receive one additional ticket.

All law graduates should participate in our Convocation ceremony on May 16. For students who also intend to participate in the University’s Commencement Ceremony on May 14, please be aware that this event is separately ticketed. Ticket claim through the Tassel portal for the May 14 University Commencement will begin and end a little later, with exact dates TBA. Please note: you will only receive emails about these tickets if you RSVP’ed “yes” for the May 14 University Commencement ceremony on your graduation application to the Records Office.

Please only claim the number of tickets you need for your guests so that others can make use of them. Tickets are not for sale; don’t pay for tickets, and don’t take advantage of your classmates by selling them. If you find yourself with an extra ticket, you may assign it to a classmate within the Tassel app.

You will need to assign the tickets to your guests’ smartphones via the Tassel app, and each guest will need to show a ticket on the Tassel app (or a printed ticket) for entry to the graduation venues, regardless of age. Graduates will need to show a “stage pass” obtained through the Tassel app; stage passes will not count against the guest ticket count. If you’re having any issues with claiming tickets or the Tassel app, please email gmuevent@gmu.edu.

Doors to the Concert Hall will open at 12:45 p.m. on May 16 for guests. All tickets are general admission.

If you have a guest that has mobility issues, or requires wheelchair accessible seating or a sign language interpreter, please contact Dean Hull at dhull4@gmu.edu no later than April 20.

Concert Hall Policies

Weapons, food, beverages, and smoking are prohibited. Guests may not bring large bags into the venue during Convocation; please bring only small bags or clutches. Graduates should not carry any bags or valuables with them. More information on Concert Hall house rules can be found on the Concert Hall house rules webpage.

Parking

Parking is available at the Mason Pond Parking Deck, just steps away from the Concert Hall. Overflow parking will be available in Lot K. Accessible parking will be provided in front of the Concert Hall on Mason Pond Drive. See a map of the Fairfax Campus, and more information on parking.

Accommodations

Hotels near Mason’s Fairfax campus and the Center for the Arts’ Concert Hall include:

• Courtyard by Marriott
• Residence Inn
• SpringHill Suites
• Holiday Inn Express
• Hampton Inn
• Best Western
• Comfort Inn

Hotels near Mason Square (the Law School’s Arlington campus) include:

• Residence Inn — Courthouse
• Hyatt Place
• Hilton Arlington
• Residence Inn - Ballston

Local Airports

• Dulles International Airport (IAD)
• Reagan National Airport (DCA)
• Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI)

May 16, 2026 Law School Convocation Ceremony Timeline

More detailed information about the ceremony will be emailed prior to graduation.

Photography

Photography is permitted during the ceremony but please turn off your flash and take pictures only from your seat. Mason Events Management will hire photographers for the ceremony. Photographic proofs of graduates receiving their diplomas will be accessible will be accessible to view and purchase via the GradImages website.

Streaming the Ceremony

You can watch the May 14^th University Commencement and the May 16^th Law School Convocation ceremony at Mason’s YouTube channel.

Student Bar Association Graduation Reception

Join us for the SBA Graduation Reception on May 15, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Atrium and on the Plaza! This open event welcomes graduating students along with their family and friends for an evening of celebration. Enjoy light appetizers and a bar, mingle with classmates and loved ones, and capture memories at designated photo areas. Dress is smart casual. We look forward to celebrating this special milestone with you!

For more information, email sbapres@gmu.edu.

Caps & Gowns, Announcements, Class Rings, etc.

Caps & Gowns

Caps and gowns will be available to order from March 6 – April 1, 2026 from Oak Hall.

JD and LLM Cap & Gown

The rental fee for JD or LLM cap and gown will be approximately $150. You can also order packages including diploma frames and announcements from the Oak Hall website. You must provide your name, height, weight, and hat size at the link to be provided.

Caps & gowns will be distributed at the Mason Square campus bookstore starting in early May, during regular business hours: Monday through Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., and Fridays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. You must pick up your cap & gown no later than 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.

You may designate someone to pick up your regalia for you – please email Stuart Gitow (sgitow@bncollege.com) to let him know who will be picking up. If you cannot pick up your regalia by noon on May 14, Stuart will transport all unclaimed regalia to the Concert Hall for pickup just before the Convocation ceremony on Saturday, May 16.

Caps & gowns must be returned at a designated area after the convocation ceremony. The tassel is yours to keep.

JM Cap & Gown

The purchase fee for JM cap & gown will be approximately $150. You must provide your name, height, and weight. These caps & gowns are yours to keep. Caps & gowns for JM graduates will be mailed directly to the address you specify at checkout — you cannot pick up your JM cap & gown at the bookstore.

Announcements, Class Rings, and Accessories

To order graduation announcements, class rings, and other accessories please visit the Herff Jones website.

Diplomas

Paper diplomas will be ready approximately ten weeks after all semester grades and ranks are finalized. Only one paper diploma will be provided. An electronic copy of your diploma will be available earlier and will be sent to the non-Mason email address you enter into your application to graduate. Your diploma will be mailed to you at the address you provide on your application to graduate for mailing. You must be in good financial standing with the University to receive your diploma.

Contact Information