2026 JSSOM MD Commencement

The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston John Sealy School of Medicine MD Commencement Ceremony will be held at the Moody Gardens Convention Center in Galveston, Texas.

Saturday, May 30, 2026
10:00AM – 12:00PM

Moody Gardens Convention Center
One Hope Blvd, Galveston, Texas 77554

Academic regalia is the traditional dress for MD candidates participating in the John Sealy School of Medicine Commencement Ceremony. If the student misses the deadline of March 29, 2026, to order their regalia, the regalia ordering website will open for a limited time. Students will be responsible for any late or other processing fees.

The John Sealy School of Medicine provides one unit of complimentary regalia rentals for students.

When ordering your regalia, you'll need your UTMB Student ID number to log in to Balfour. Enter your full UTMB Student ID number, including leading zeros.
Example: 000123456

STUDENTS – ORDER YOUR REGALIA

How to Measure for Your Gown / How to Wear Your Regalia

Pick Up Instructions

Regalia will be distributed by the UTMB Campus Bookstore the week leading into commencement.

• Dates: Tuesday, May 26 – Thursday, May 28, 2026
• Location: Mary Moody Northern Conference Room 1.102 (near your former PBL classrooms)

Additional pick-up details, times or updates will be shared closer to the date.

How do I Wear My Regalia?

Once you've received your regalia, you may be wondering how to properly wear it. Cap and gowns are specific to the degree you are receiving – please click the link below to see how to wear your cap, gown and hood.

HOW TO WEAR YOUR CAP, GOWN AND HOOD

Graduates will be hooded on stage during the commencement ceremony. The John Sealy School of Medicine will designate the Faculty Hooders for all candidates, based on a class survey. Graduates will proceed to the stage where they will be hooded by the preselected faculty hooders.

Graduates may request a Special Hooder, which allows them to be hooded on stage by an eligible family member, pending approval. Eligibility requirements are:

• Special Hooders must be a parent, spouse, sibling, or other immediate family of the graduate.
• Individuals holding an MD or DO degree may serve as Special Hooders, regardless of faculty status.
• Individuals holding a PhD must be a current UTMB faculty member to be considered.
• Friends, mentors, colleagues, and non-family members are not eligible to serve as Special Hooders.
• A maximum of two Special Hooder requests may be submitted per graduate. Please fill out two Special Hooder requests if you want two people to perform your hooding.
• All Special Hooder Request Forms must be submitted by March 2, 2026.

Special Hooders are required to:

• Special Hooders are required to attend rehearsal the morning of commencement and must arrive by 7:45AM.
• Special Hooders must wear full academic regalia and will participate in the faculty procession.
• Hooders may wear their own regalia or rent through Balfour (approximately $107; rental cost is the responsibility of the hooder).
• Regalia rental links will be sent to students and hooders after approval.

SPECIAL HOODER REQUEST FORM

Students are required to attend rehearsal prior to the commencement ceremony prior. Rehearsal will take place the morning of commencement, May 30, 2026 at 8:00AM – please note, students must be present in full regalia attire at the Moody Gardens Convention Center by 7:45AM.

Commencement is a formal academic ceremony. Graduates and families are expected to conduct themselves in a professional and respectful manner throughout rehearsal and the ceremony.

The mace used in the commencement procession is entrusted to the care of the Senior Faculty Marshal. The mace bears the seal of the University of Texas to signify the power and authority vested in the institution. The John Sealy Schol of Medicine MD Class of 2026 will choose their Senior Faculty Marshal.

The Chief Faculty Marshals oversee the Faculty Marshals, who coordinate the faculty processional and recessional portions of the ceremony. There are two Chief Faculty Marshals present during the ceremony.

The Faculty Marshals coordinate the faculty processional and recessional portions of the ceremony. The John Sealy School of Medicine MD Class of 2026 will choose their Faculty Marshals.

Graduates will be hooded on stage during the commencement ceremony. The John Sealy School of Medicine will designate the Faculty Hooders for all candidates, based on a class survey. Graduates will proceed to the stage where they will be hooded by the preselected faculty hooders.

Graduates may request a Special Hooder, which allows them to be hooded on stage by an eligible family member, pending approval. Eligibility requirements are:

• Special Hooders must be a parent, spouse, sibling, or other immediate family of the graduate.
• Individuals holding an MD or DO degree may serve as Special Hooders, regardless of faculty status.
• Individuals holding a PhD must be a current UTMB faculty member to be considered.
• Friends, mentors, colleagues, and non-family members are not eligible to serve as Special Hooders.
• A maximum of two Special Hooder requests may be submitted per graduate. Please fill out two Special Hooder requests if you want two people to perform your hooding.
• All Special Hooder Request Forms must be submitted by March 2, 2026.

Special Hooders are required to:

• Special Hooders are required to attend rehearsal the morning of commencement and must arrive by 7:45AM.
• Special Hooders must wear full academic regalia and will participate in the faculty procession.
• Hooders may wear their own regalia or rent through Balfour (approximately $107; rental cost is the responsibility of the hooder).
• Regalia rental links will be sent to students and hooders after approval.

SPECIAL HOODER REQUEST FORM

Doors to the Moody Gardens Convention Center open at 9AM for guests – this is to ensure that all graduates, faculty, staff and other members part of the commencement ceremony are in place and ready for the event. Majority seating is on a first-come first-serve basis in bleachers. Seating sections closer to the stage typically fill faster. Accessible seating areas are available and reserved for guests who require accommodations. Additionally, there is limited floor seating available for guests.

Guests wishing to sit closer to the stage are encouraged to plan accordingly for an early arrival.

The Moody Gardens Hotel has reserved a room block for the John Sealy School of Medicine Commencement Ceremony.

The group rate is $242 (plus taxes and fees). The booking dates available are starting Thursday, May 28 through Sunday, May 31, 2026. The deadline to book and modify reservations is Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

BOOK YOUR HOTEL ROOM

ADA Parking

The Moody Gardens Hotel and Convention Center has reserved accessible parking available for guests at first-come first-serve basis. Guests who require accommodations, have access to ADA drop-off at the parking garage entrance. Drivers may notify campus police upon arrival to access the ADA drop-off point. After drop-off, drivers will be directed to park in the garage.

ADA Seating

Accessible seating areas are available and reserved for guests who require accommodations. Additionally, there is limited floor seating available for guests.

ASL Interpreters

Two sign language, American/ASL interpreters will be present throughout the ceremony. They will be highlighted throughout the ceremony livestream to ensure everyone is able to enjoy the ceremony and see their loved ones walk the stage.

The UTMB Campus Bookstore will have an open booth at the commencement ceremony.

Stay tuned for more information.

Stay tuned for more information.

Stay tuned for more information.

• Is commencement mandatory?
  Yes, commencement rehearsal and the commencement ceremony are required for graduates.

• Are tickets required for guests?
  No, there are not tickets required and the ceremony is open to guests.

• What should graduates wear under their regalia?
  Graduates should wear professional attire appropriate for a formal academic ceremony. Comfortable footwear is recommended.

• How do I change my name as it will appear on my diploma and commencement program?
  To change your name as it will appear on your diploma, please contact Enrollment Services or fill out the Student Request for Name Change form. The name listed on the commencement program will be what is listed officially under your profile. The name you self-selected to be announced as you walk the stage, was submitted in the fall of 2025 via One45.

• Where do I park?
  The Moody Gardens Convention Center has a parking garage open to all visitors that is adjacent to the Expo Hall where the commencement ceremony will take place.

• How long will the ceremony last?
  The John Sealy School of Medicine MD Commencement Ceremony typically lasts 2 hours long, but we encourage everyone to budget additional time in case of delays and to join us at the Dean's Reception following the ceremony.

• What happens when the ceremony concludes?
  Following the conclusion of the ceremony, graduates are welcome to meet with their families for a couple of moments to take pictures, but are expected to return their regalia to the UTMB Campus Bookstore booth located inside of the Student Robing Area in Expo A. Once the regalia is turned in, the John Sealy School of Medicine invites graduates, families and friends to the Dean's Reception, a reception hosted in the Floral Ballroom, located on the second floor of the Moody Gardens Convention Center.

For questions, please contact the John Sealy School of Medicine Commencement Committee at JSSOMCommencement@utmb.edu

Check again soon for the livestream.

2025 Commencement Ceremony Video

2024 Commencement Ceremony Video

2023 Commencement Ceremony Video

2022 Commencement Videos

2020 Virtual Commencement Videos

2019 Virtual Commencement Videos

2018 Commencement Videos

2017 Commencement Videos

2016 Commencement Videos

2015 Commencement Videos

2014 Commencement Videos

To purchase a video, email Videography or call (409) 772-8980.