Sinclair Community College will celebrate commencement on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at University of Dayton Arena located at 1801 Edwin C. Moses Boulevard, Dayton, Ohio 45408. The arena doors will open to graduates and their guests at 4:30 p.m. We are continually updating details at: https://www.sinclair.edu/commencement/
As there is ample seating throughout the arena, guests do not need tickets to attend, and graduates are not limited to the number of guests they may bring. Guests may choose their seats upon arrival on a first come, first served basis. The arena doors will open to graduates and their guests at 4:30 p.m.
Free graduate and guest parking is available in lots A, B, C and D, and an officer will direct drivers to the appropriate lots. It is highly encouraged that guests and students arrive as early as possible to ensure optimal parking and seating. The arena doors will open to graduates and their guests at 4:30 p.m.
Construction along I-75 is expected near UD Arena and may cause traffic delays ahead of the ceremony. Visit this page for I-75 Construction and Traffic Updates.
The ceremony is expected to last approximately two hours.
All graduates are required to wear their cap and gown at the ceremony. Tassels should be worn to the graduate’s right side. Participants are encouraged to exercise good judgment in selecting their wardrobe for the ceremony. While the traditional ceremonial gown provides ample coverage, participants are asked to refrain from wearing shorts and/or sandals. Graduates will be walking up and down the Arena stairs and are encouraged to wear shoes that will ease this process. Shoes with tall heels, as well as sandals or flip flops are strongly discouraged.
Please review the security protocols established by UD Arena. If you exit the arena for any reason, you will be required to pass through security again before re-entering.
Interpreting services will be available in Section 112 of the arena for guests with hearing impairments. Accessible seating accommodations are available at the mezzanine level above Sections 201, 203, 204, 209, 210, 212, 213, 215, 218, 219, 222, and 224. Download a copy of the Commencement Floor Plan.
Should you or a guest have questions/concerns regarding accommodations related to a disability, please contact Lorrie Spivey at 937-512-3400 or lorrie.spivey@sinclair.edu as early as possible so we can make the necessary accommodations.
A link for Live Captioning of the ceremony will be made available ahead of the ceremony's start time. Guests choosing to use this service are encouraged to bring their mobile device. (Captioning will not include the reading of graduate names.)
A professional photographer will take each graduate’s photograph once they have received their diploma cover and shaken hands with the college president and trustees. Within a week of the ceremony, graduates will be contacted via their Sinclair e-mail by Grad Images to purchase a professional photograph, should they have an interest in doing so.
Photo backdrops will be available at the north and south ends of the arena for graduates and guests to take their own photos.
A link to the YouTube livestream will be made available ahead of the ceremony at Sinclair's main Commencement page.