Commencement

We are thrilled to have you join us for this exciting celebration! Tickets are required for entry to Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. You will not be allowed to enter the stadium if you do not have a ticket.

Atwood Stadium will open for guests at 8:30 a.m. on the morning of the ceremony. Attendees will enter the stadium via the northwest and northeast gates at the corners of the stadium facing University Avenue.  Please note that from street level, which is where most guests will enter, the most accessible seats are those in the top two rows of the stadium.

Guests with accessible seating tickets will enter the stadium via Gate S. Only those with pre-requested accessible seating and/or reserved seating are permitted to park in the Atwood Stadium Lot located on Stone Street. (identified as Field Level & Reserved Parking on the map below). A parking pass is required.

Parking

Guest parking is free and will be located in the grass lots surrounding the stadium. Available lots are identified on the map below:

Parking Map

Please note that only those with pre-requested accessible seating designated for guests using mobility-assisted devices (such as motorized wheelchairs, wheelchairs, walkers, etc…) and/or reserved seating are permitted to park in the Atwood Stadium Lot located on Stone Street. (identified as Field Level & Reserved Parking on the map above). A parking pass is required. Guests with a state-issued handicap parking license plate and/or handicap parking permit are invited to park in the lot along Begole Street (Identified with a ♿symbol on the map above). Golf cart shuttles will be available to provide transportation to the gates.

Some things to keep in mind:

• The ceremony lasts roughly 2-2 ½ hours. Please remain for the entire ceremony.
• In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony may be delayed until later in the day on Saturday, June 21, or it may be moved to Sunday, June 22, at 9:30 a.m. The weather call will be made as early as possible. on Saturday, June 21, and updates will be provided via email to participating graduates and on the University's Social Media Accounts.
• Photographs are encouraged, though they are only allowed from your seat during the ceremony; there is no guest access to the stage area. Professional photographers will be on-site to capture photos of each graduate. 
• Guests are not permitted in the graduate assembly or field seating area. 
• We do not allow balloons, banners, signs, noise makers, or other disruptive items.

Graduates are required to wear academic regalia when participating in the Kettering University Commencement ceremony. Academic regalia is available for purchase online with Oak Hall and will not be available onsite at Commencement. Regalia purchases must be completed before Wednesday, May 27, 2026. 

Online ordering will open on March 16, 2026. Click here to order your regalia for the 2026 ceremony. 

Once received, we recommend IMMEDIATELY opening the package and hanging your gown (and hood, if applicable). This step will help to remove all wrinkles. Gowns may be steamed but cannot be pressed, as this will damage them. 

The University utilizes black caps and gowns for our academic regalia. Your degree program determines the tassel color. Graduates with double majors can purchase an additional tassel on the website outside of the bundle.

Commencement is a milestone in your life, and we welcome you to decorate your cap as you celebrate your hard work and dedication. Please take the following information into consideration as you decorate. 

• Only the flat, top portion of the mortarboard may be decorated. Nothing else should be decorated on the sides of the cap or your academic gown. 
• Decorations should not make noise. No bells, horns, etc. 
• Avoid obscenities, profanity, vulgar or lewd remarks
• Elements of your design should lay as flat as possible to avoid obstructed views.

Other Apparel

Shoes and other articles of visible apparel worn should be dark in color and harmonize with academic dress. Nothing else should be worn on the academic gown. Due to the ceremony being held at Atwood Stadium, flat-soled shoes are required for all participants/attendees.

Join other graduates and pay it forward to the next generation of Kettering students. Your contribution of $20.26 to the Keep Me Kettering Scholarship Fund will support students who are in need of financial assistance, and you'll receive a teal-blue philanthropy cord to wear at Commencement. Click here to make your Senior Gift.

Graduates will be able to request unlimited tickets for their guests this year. Tickets are required for entry. Tickets will be available beginning March 16, 2026.

Accessible seating is located on the field level and can be accessed via the South East stadium gate (Gate S) off of the Atwood Stadium Parking Lot. Guests requesting accessible seating should contact the University Events & Ceremonies team at events@kettering.edu for additional details. These tickets cannot be reserved through the online ticket system.

Physical Address: 701 University Ave. Flint MI 48504

A-Z Stadium Policies can be found here.

Permitted Items: 

• Binoculars, cases are subject to inspection
• Blankets
• Cameras 
• Cell phones 
• Bags smaller than 12” x 12” x 6” 
• Rain apparel
• Seat cushions
• Small umbrellas used without obstructing others’ view 

Prohibited Items: 

As a general rule, any items that obstruct the view of other guests or that can be used as projectiles, that interfere with the comfort of other guests or are deemed inappropriate/hazardous by stadium security are prohibited. 

Guests are subject to visual inspection of person, parcels, bags, and clothing capable of concealing prohibited items. Changes in national, regional, and campus security may affect security procedures. 

The following items are not permitted in Atwood Stadium:

• Alcohol
• Tobacco, including e-cigarettes and vapor cigarettes
• Non-service animals 
• Firearms, weapons, and sharp objects including mace and pepper spray 
• Bags larger than 12” x 12” x 6”
• Coolers and containers including bottles and beverage containers 
• Signs or banners
• Bicycles 
• Skateboards
• Strollers beyond concourse 
• Noisemakers 
• Large umbrellas 
• Objects that obstruct others' views 
• Clothing displaying profane or inappropriate symbols or wording 
• Hazardous materials including but not limited to explosives and fireworks 
• Laser pointers 
• Selfie sticks 
• Trespassing, soliciting, peddling, and loitering 
• Any illegal substances 
• Any other item or action deemed dangerous or inappropriate

The ceremony will be livestreamed for those who are unable to attend the ceremony in person. The link will be shared on the Commencement Webpage and via email to graduates before Commencement weekend. 

Photos

Inset information about pre-registering

We have hired GradImages® to photograph commencement and to capture each graduate as they are individually recognized. 

GradImages® is proud to support one of the biggest moments in a graduate’s life: walking across the stage and into the next chapter. With over 40 years of experience, we understand the importance of this moment and the desire to preserve these memories for a lifetime. Finding your graduate’s photos after the ceremony is easy. Visit www.GradImages.com to view and purchase custom photo products like prints, plaques, specialty gifts, and more.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your photos, please contact the GradImages Customer Service Department at (800) 261-2576 or email ecc.giservice@gradimages.net. We have a large team of customer care representatives ready to help graduates and family members with anything they may need.

You can also pre-register your contact information using the direct link below. Upon completion, you will receive a coupon code for 20% off an order of $50 or more: https://gradexpressregistration.gradimages.com/GradExpressRegistration/GradExpress?EventID=418314  Pre-registration does not obligate you to purchase, but it must be completed before the ceremony date to receive the 20% off coupon code.

Flowers

Flowers will be available for purchase at the commencement ceremonies. More information to come. 

Kettering Apparel and Memorabilia

Join other graduates and pay it forward to the next generation of Kettering students. Your contribution of $20.26 to the Keep Me Kettering Scholarship Fund will support students who are in need of financial assistance, and you'll receive a teal-blue philanthropy cord to wear at Commencement. Click here to make your Senior Gift.