Class of 2023 Commencement FAQs

The venue – Georgia International Convention Center (GICC) -- will open to guests approximately 60 minutes prior to the beginning of the ceremony.

The address is:
2000 Convention Center Concourse
College Park, GA 30337

Venue Details

Concessions will be available for purchase at GICC.  No outside food or beverages are allowed.

We will use mobile tickets. Face masks are strongly recommended.

You can enter Geogria International Convention Center or this address into your map navigation app or device:

2000 Convention Center Concourse
College Park, GA 30337

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Driving Directions

From Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Via the ATL SkyTrain (automated people mover):
Follow the overhead signs and hallway placards toward the Rental Car Center. Proceed out of the west end of the terminal under the covered walkway. Take the escalator up to the station and board the ATL SkyTrain for the free, short ride to the Gateway Station.

From Downtown Atlanta & North Atlanta: I-75/85 South:
Take I-85 South. Exit Camp Creek Parkway (exit #72). Follow the signs for Camp Creek Parkway. Once on Camp Creek Parkway, at the first traffic light, turn left into the Gateway Center. The Gateway Center Arena @ College Park will be on the right.

From I-285 North: Cobb County, Marietta, Smyrna, Cumberland:
I-285 South to Camp Creek Parkway (exit #2). Turn left onto Camp Creek Parkway and travel approximately 2.6 miles through 7 traffic lights. At the 8th traffic light, turn right into the Gateway Center. The Gateway Center Arena @ College Park will be on the right.

From I-20 West: Six Flags, Birmingham:
I-20 East to I-285 South. Exit Camp Creek Parkway (exit #2). Turn left onto Camp Creek Parkway and travel approximately 2.6 miles through 7 traffic lights. At the 8th traffic light, turn right into the Gateway Center. The Gateway Center Arena @ College Park will be on the right.

From I-20 and I-285 East: Tucker, Stone Mountain, Conyers, Augusta, Columbia:
I-285 South to I-85 North, Atlanta Airport/Atlanta (exit #61). Follow the signs to I-85 North, Atlanta. I-85 North to Camp Creek Parkway (exit #72). Once on Camp Creek Parkway, at the first traffic light, turn left into the Gateway Center. The Gateway Center Arena @ College Park will be on the right.

From I-85 South: Newnan, LaGrange, Columbus, Montgomery:
I-85 North to Camp Creek Parkway (exit #72). Once on Camp Creek Parkway, at the first traffic light, turn left into the Gateway Center. The Gateway Center Arena @ College Park will be on the right.

From I-75 South: Macon:
I-75 North to I-285 West. I-285 West to I-85 North, Atlanta Airport/Atlanta (exit #61). Follow the signs to I-85 North, Atlanta. I-85 North to Camp Creek Parkway (exit #72). Once on Camp Creek Parkway, at the first traffic light, turn left into the Gateway Center. The Gateway Center Arena @ College Park will be on the right.

(IMPORTANT UPDATES – PLEASE READ)

Georgia International Convention Center (GICC) -

• GICC offers cashless parking only
• Pre-purchase parking at GICC (first-come, first-served)
• ADA parking will be available in Lot C.
• All Surface-Level Parking

Guest parking will be in Lots C, D, and E.  These spaces are somewhat limited and we are encouraging guests to pre-purchase those tickets on the ParkMobile platform.  That link will be shared with graduates for distribution as needed.  There will also be an opportunity to pay by credit or debit card at the gate.  No cash will be accepted.  Once the GICC lots have filled, guests will be directed by event staff to offsite parking adjacent to the rear of the GICC campus.  This parking is further away, so please alert your guests to plan accordingly. 

GICC has limited ADA parking available in lot C.  We will also have a drop off area for our mobility impaired guests. It is located at the east end of Walt Bellamy Way along the front of GICC.  Please notify the event staff and you will be directed to the turnaround.

MARTA: Metro Atlanta’s Rapid Transit System

If you are visiting Atlanta for business or pleasure, MARTA can connect you to most major destinations in the city, including the GICC. MARTA provides rail and bus service that can get you within walking distance for many of Atlanta’s major attractions and destinations.

MARTA serves Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead and Perimeter, as well as Decatur and other popular destinations. For more detailed information, visit the MARTA website.

No, we do not have any at the venue.

Spelman College does not provide wheelchairs for mobility-impaired guests.  It is strongly encouraged that guests make arrangements prior to Commencement Weekend to ensure availability.  Atlanta has many professional services available, including:

ADA Medical Supply
6780 Roswell Road, NE
Suite D115
Sandy Springs, GA  30328

adamedicalsupply.com
678-398-0505

Mobility impaired guests may be dropped off at the venue entrance with a companion to accompany them. Upon entrance into the event area, there will be hostesses available to identify seating for guests with wheelchairs and other motorized chairs.

We do not enforce a strict limit, as we recognize different families have diverse needs. Each ADA request will receive one companion seat. However, we ask that guests do not request more than they need to help us accommodate as many people as possible. Companions may be relocated within the ADA section to help us accommodate ADA guests.

All general admission seating is first come, first serve. A spectator cannot hold multiple seats for family members who have not yet arrived.

Due to high demand, we will only give ADA seats to the family members in need and one companion seat. We encourage guests to arrive early to find seating near each other.

We ask that visitors not hold seats for late arrivals. All seats are general admissions.

Regalia will be available for pick up April 3-5, 10:00am - 4:00pm. in the Bookstore.  If candidates are unable to pick up during these times, regalia will be available during regular business hours through May 20, 2023.

Degree candidates that have not yet provided their regalia order information can do so in the Bookstore during regular business hours through April 1, 2023.

The package includes a Black Gown, Black Cap, Black 2023 Tassel, and a Degree Color Hood. The Blue Spelman Kente Stole is available online or in-store for purchase for $25.00.

Latin Honors are an academic distinction based on students’ cumulative grades through the end of the fall semester. Degree candidates can review their status in Self-Service Banner and DegreeWorks. Students designated to receive Latin Honors will receive an academic honor cord. The cords will be available to pick up from the Registrar’s Office in Packard Hall on the following dates and times:

May 4   from 10 a.m. --  3 p.m.
May 5   from 10 a.m. –  3 p.m.
May 8   from 10 a.m. --  3 p.m.
May 9   from 10 a.m. –  3 p.m.

Questions concerning the Latin Honor cord pick-up can be emailed to Emily Foster at efoster@spelman.edu or by phone at 404-270-5233.

All other cords and pins are distributed by individual departments and organizations. Contact them directly for distribution details.

No. While Spelman does not rank degree candidates, we identify the top ten degree candidates and rank only the Valedictorian and Salutatorian. Others in the Top Ten are listed in alphabetical order.

Only degree candidates who are in the process of completing all degree requirements by the end of the spring semester are eligible to be considered for the Top Ten.

Blue tassels are available for seniors who make a senior legacy gift to Spelman College. Details have been shared by email, and questions can be directed to Danielle Williams at daniellewilliams51@spelman.edu

The Spelman Commencement ceremony is expected to last approximately 3 hours.

The Baccalaureate Ceremony is the final spiritual experience for Spelman College students. It provides the opportunity for the graduating class, along with their families and communities, to joyfully reflect on their spiritual growth and personal transformation as they prepare for Commencement on the following day.  Featuring, uplifting music, an empowering sermon, and inspiriting arts, it is a sacred space to express gratitude to God, Spirit, and our shared and personal Ancestors for guiding them along throughout their Spelman journey.  The Baccalaureate Ceremony is an opportunity to honor and celebrate the journey to becoming spiritually centered, and morally grounded, free-thinking Womxn of African descent who are connected to Spirit and prepared to make meaningful and unique contributions to the world.

You can find more information on "Baccalaurate" at :

View Instagram Reel 1

View Instagram Reel 2

See Instagram Post

Class Day, March Through the Alumnae Arch, Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies will all be streaming live.

   

Each year, the Commencement speaker is announced in mid-April, typically shortly after Founders Week has concluded.  The College usually shares this news with the community by email and press release.

Jostens partners with Spelman to offer class rings to graduates. Visit the Spelman Bookstore for more information or Jostens online for more details.

 

Senior fees are assessed for all degree candidates who apply for graduation. These fees offset a portion of the total cost of Commencement events, activities and services. Some costs include, but are not limited to, caps and gowns, diplomas and diploma covers, graduation week activities, senior portraits, and the graduation venue.

The graduation fee offsets a portion of the total cost of Commencement and related graduation activities. It is assessed for all degree candidates, even if they elect not to participate in the Commencement ceremony. The fee is non-refundable.

Yes, please visit the Guest Information page on the Commencement web page for more information.

Spelman College degree candidates who currently have on campus housing assignments may remain on campus until Monday, May 22, 2023.

Spelman will not be able to offer lodging in Spelman campus housing for families during Commencement weekend activities.

Each graduate will receive twelve (12) electronic tickets. More details will be available closer to the event date.

Tickets will be distributed electronically via email during a specified time determined by the Registrar’s Office. Updates will be shared via the Commencement web page.

Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate requests for extra tickets. However, the event will be livestreamed on the Spelman College website so that family, friends and supporters can celebrate with you wherever they may be.

 

No, all tickets will be for general seating.

Tickets are required for all guests aged 2 and older.

Tickets are not required for children under the age of two who will be seated in an adult’s lap for the duration of the ceremony.

 

Unfortunately, no. All ticket requests must come from the graduate. The Registrar’s Office is unable to track any individual ticket requests.

 

The Spelman College Commencement ceremony will be streamed live on the Spelman.edu website.