Carnegie Mellon University Commencement Weekend: May 8 - 10, 2026
Most asked questions about commencement weekend:
Q: What is the difference between the Mechanical Engineering (MechE) diploma ceremony and the main CMU Commencement Ceremony?
A: The MechE Diploma Ceremony is a more personalized experience for MechE students. Diploma ceremonies will include the calling of each student name, processing across the stage, hooding of doctoral candidates, student awards and remarks from their Department Head. Our ceremony is organized by the department.
Mechanical Engineering Diploma Ceremony
Friday, May 8
Ceremony & Reception: Noon-3 p.m.
Music Hall and Foyer, Carnegie Museum
4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
The MAIN CMU Commencement Ceremony will include remarks from the president, keynote speaker, student speaker and academic deans, in addition to recognition of the honorary degree recipients. More info can be found here.
MAIN CMU Commencement will be Sunday, May 10, bachelor's, master’s and doctoral degree candidates will come together for a full commencement ceremony in Gesling Stadium on CMU’s campus.More details can be found here.
Q: Will the Mechanical Engineering department have their own diploma ceremony during commencement weekend?
A: Yes! MechE will host their own diploma ceremony. The ceremony details are below:
Mechanical Engineering
Friday, May 8
Ceremony & Reception: Noon-3 p.m.
Music Hall and Foyer, Carnegie Museum *
4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
This is a more personalized experience for MechE students. Diploma ceremonies will include the calling of each student name, processing across the stage, hooding of doctoral candidates, student awards and remarks from their Department Head. Our ceremony is organized by the department.
Q: As a graduating MechE student, do I need to RSVP to the MechE diploma ceremony?
A: Yes. An RSVP form will be sent soon to the email addresses of all registered graduating MechE students. Please note that the form will be sent only to students.
Q: Who will receive the RSVP form?
Bachelor and Master students with an expected graduation semester of Spring 2026 or August 2026.
Bachelor or Master alumni with a degree conferred in August or December 2025.
PhD students with an expected graduation of May 2026 and PhD alumni with a degree conferred in August 2025 or December 2025.If you are unsure of your status, please reach out to your advisor.
Parents will NOT receive an RSVP form for the ceremony -only MechE students.
Q: Do guests need tickets to attend the MechE diploma ceremony?
A: No. Guests do not need tickets to attend the MechE diploma ceremony. However, we do ask students to RSVP and indicate how many guests they expect to bring.
Some questions we ask on the RSVP form include:
- How would you like your name pronounced at the ceremony? (Example: first name, middle name, last name? First name, middle initial, last name?, etc. )
- We encourage you to record your name through Name Coach to ensure proper pronunciation: https://www.cmu.edu/hub/registrar/student-records/namecoach.html
- Phonetic spelling of your name (this will help the speaker pronounce you name properly).
Q: Will the MechE diploma ceremony be live-streamed and recorded?
A: Yes. The MechE diploma ceremony will be live-streamed, and a recording will be shared by mid to late June. The links to the recording and the professional photos will be posted on the MechE website as soon as they are available.
Q: Where do I order my regalia gear for the ceremonies?
A: At the CMU graduation fair (in-person) or online.
Q: When will this be held?
A: Please check this website for more information.
Q: Will I get my official Carnegie Mellon University Diploma at the Mechanical Engineering Diploma Ceremony (Friday, May 8, 2026)?
A: MechE students who have completed their degree requirements in the Spring 2026 semester may receive their diploma after the ceremony (provided that the university has not placed a hold on the diploma).
All other diplomas will be mailed directly to students by the CMU Registrar's office. Please make sure your diploma address is updated in SIO.
If you are unsure of your status, please review your diploma information in SIO and alert your academic advisor to any changes, if necessary.
Q: What happens at the MAIN CMU commencement ceremony?
A: The ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 10, 2026. Additional details about the difference between ceremonies can be found here.
Q: Where can I find more details about CMU's commencement weekend?
A: You can find additional details here.
There is a section specific to CMU graduates. You can find that information here.