Degree Ceremony Information
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Student Instructions
The Rollins School of Public Health degree candidate recognition ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. EDT at Gas South District Convention Center.
The RSPH degree candidate recognition ceremony is a school-specific ceremony designed for Rollins graduates. The event will follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal public health agencies. A livestream option will also be available. Please note that participation is optional.
Participants must meet the following requirements to participate in the ceremony:
- Students who have completed all degree requirements in summer 2025, fall 2025, or spring 2026 are eligible to participate.
- Students who have completed all required coursework, but are enrolled in a graduate-in-residence semester to complete outstanding requirements for their thesis and/or applied practice experience are also eligible to participate. These students will have an in-progress grade posted for the thesis and/or applied practice experience.
Must-Know Degree Ceremony Information
Please review the information sent via email in Communication #7.
Please review the information sent via email in Communication #7.
Regalia
Regalia Purchasing Information
Please review the information sent via email in Communication #3.
Speaker
2026 Commencement Speakers
Nationally recognized emergency medicine physician and public health leader Debra Houry, MD, will deliver this year's commencement address.
Friends & Family
Venue Policies & Check-In
Venue Policies & Security Information
Please review the Gas South District Details: Important Venue Policies & Security Information section on the Emory University Commencement website.
Check-In
- Guests may enter the Gas South Convention Center starting at 8:00am.
- All guests 2 years of age or older must have their electronic or printed guest ticket at all times.
- Please note that tickets may not be used more than once. Guests without a valid guest ticket will not be permitted in the venue.
- Guests will be required to complete a bag check and security screening.
Transportation & Parking
Driving Directions
Depending on traffic, the Gas South District Convention Center is about 45 minutes north on I-85 from Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and 30 minutes north on I-85 from downtown Atlanta or the Emory Campus.
Traveling North on I-85
Take the Sugarloaf Parkway Exit. Turn right off the exit, go back under the interstate, and cross over Satellite Boulevard. The Convention Center will be on the left. Alternate Route: Take I-85 to highway 120 exit West. Turn right on Satellite Boulevard. The Convention Center will be 1/2 mile on the left.
Traveling South on I-85
Take the Sugarloaf Parkway Exit. Turn right off the exit and cross over Satellite Boulevard. The Convention Center will be on the left. Alternate Route: Take I-85 to highway 120 exit West. Turn right onto highway 120. Turn right onto Satellite Boulevard. The Convention Center will be 1/2 mile on the left.
Parking
Parking is free for all RSPH Commencement event guests. Guests attending events at the Convention Center should park in Deck 1 and Deck 2. Accessible parking is available at both locations. See Gas South District map for locations of parking areas.
Additional Transportation Options
For additional transportation options, please review the Emory University Commencement page.
Family or Friends with Accessibility Needs
Guests should plan to bring their own mobility equipment, such as wheelchairs or walkers, to the ceremony.
Accessibility seating will be guaranteed to guests whose graduates provided additional guest accessibility information when they submitted their RSVP for the ceremony.
Please note that seating at the degree candidate recognition ceremony at the Gas South District Convention Center will not be available until Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Bringing International Family
International visitors typically need a B-2 visa if attending commencement on a short visit to the U.S. For some countries and consulates, an invitation letter from Emory University is required.
For more information about the visa process visit the U.S. Department of State website.
Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is the nearest airport to Emory.
Alumni Association
Welcome to the Alumni Association
Where are you going? We'll meet you there!
The Rollins School of Public Health Alumni Association is your connection to a network of more than 10,000 public health alumni living in all 50 states and over 100 countries across the globe. Offering a variety of events and services for professional development and personal growth, we are committed to meeting the needs of all our alumni. Throughout your career, we hope you will continue to stay connected to Rollins by becoming active in your alumni association.
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To learn more, contact sphalumni@emory.edu.