Invitations Gifts & Rings
Invitations
Invitations are not required for participation in Commencement. If you wish to purchase invitations, some options are:
You may choose from two styles, personalized or standard. Invitations need to be ordered 3 weeks in advance.
Gifts to Graduates
- For questions about the Senior Class Gift, visit /annualgiving/studentgiving/seniorgift.php
- Parents, Families and Students pre-order Custom T-Shirts (with graduating class names), Flowers and More and pick up at the Commencement Ceremony (Lobby before exiting) https://www.thecommencementgroup.com/uofmemphis/.
- Parent and Family Graduation Yard Sign: Are you a proud family member of a soon-to-be graduate? Celebrate your family’s accomplishment with a University of Memphis graduation yard sign! The 18x24 yard signs read “Proud Family of a UofM Graduate” and includes a metal stand. Orders will only be available for pick-up during Cap and Gown Pickup. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Parent and Family Services at parents@memphis.edu.
- Stoles, gifts, and invitations are optional and not required. Please contact the groups directly. We cannot assist with the purchases or inquiries about these items.
- Cord and Stole Policy /commencement/graduates/cord-stole-policy.php.
College Rings - Jewelry and Mementos
Class rings and other jewelry items are available from Balfour and Jostens. Balfour products are available at the University Store. Look for notices around campus to find out when company representatives will be on campus. Check their websites for further information.
Inviting Parents to Commencement (International Travel)
If a student is trying to obtain a letter from the University that states she is graduating this semester and plans to attend Commencement and wants to invited parents and families who live internationally, please contact one of the following below. We, as the Commencement Office, cannot write letters per legal, it must come from one of the following offices:
- Letter of Invitation for Graduation/Visit for F-1 visa holders who wish to invite friends and family to the United States for graduation or a visit must complete this form. /iss/current_international_students/letter_request.php.
- Click on letter request invitation. The Commencement Office is not permitted to write such letters.
- If you are not an F-1 Visa Holder and wish to invite friends and family outside of the United States for graduation, you should contact one of the following offices to assist (The Commencement Office is not permitted to write such letters):
- Registrar (901-678-2810)
- College where the student is graduating from /commencement/graduates/graduation-analyst.php.
For international students who want to delay the commencement participation, please contact International Student Services at TheWorld@memphis.edu to inquire whether you have a valid visa status to stay in the US until the commencement date or need to obtain a new visa status to return to the US for the commencement in the future.
Delaying Commencement
To delay commencement participation, submit the apply to graduate form, first. Then, in your final semester, open Step 4, log in, select "no" for attendance, choose "Other" with the reason "I want to delay my participation to a future Commencement," and submit the form. You will receive the official Delay Commencement Form after the deadline.
How to Delay Commencement
- Apply to graduate for your actual completion term.
- Open Step 4 and log in with your credentials.
- Answer the questions and set attendance to "no".
- Select "Other" for the reason and type: I want to delay my participation to a future Commencement.
- Submit the form to get a confirmation email.
- Wait for the official Delay Commencement Form after the deadline passes.
The University of Memphis does not endorse these companies but is simply providing information for your convenience.