It's Time to Celebrate 2023 Commencement

Commencement is one of the most joyous events at Columbia Southern University, and we are committed to providing the Class of 2023 with a memorable commencement experience. Every year, we look forward to celebrating this incredible milestone with our graduates and their loved ones.

Ceremony Details

Columbia Southern University will hold its 2023 commencement ceremonies on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, at the Foley Event Center at OWA 1001 E. Pride Blvd., Foley, AL 36535. We are currently planning to hold two ceremonies, at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. You will be assigned a ceremony time when your registration is processed. However, CSU reserved the right to add additional ceremonies and reassign graduates in order to balance capacity limits.

Please contact us with any questions regarding the 2023 Commencement Ceremony.

CSU graduate smiles and shakes hands as she crosses the stage during commencement
Graduates in an auditorium waiting to hear their name

Guests

For many, earning your degree has been a longtime goal. We encourage you to invite friends and family to join you at the ceremony. Each graduate may request up to four guest tickets. Up to three (3) additional tickets may be purchased for $30 each. To ensure an accurate head count, you must request all guest tickets on the registration form. Small children who do not require their own chair will not require a ticket. As a graduate, you do not need a ticket to participate.

Registration Information

The commencement registration deadline is September 5, 2023.

Ceremony Registration

  • Students must submit a petition to graduate and receive audit results.*
  • Students must submit a $165 ceremony fee along with the commencement registration form to participate.
  • Students must complete all graduation requirements or have submitted their enrollment for any remaining course(s) required for program completion at the time of commencement registration.
  • Students who have not completed all graduation requirements by the registration deadline are not eligible to be designated as graduating with honors.

The commencement registration deadline is September 5, 2023, or when maximum seating capacity is reached, whichever comes first. Once registration is closed, CSU will add all additional registrants to a waitlist until further notice.

**Students must complete the registration form in addition to submitting their petition to graduate.

Commencement Registration
Close up of a CSU graduate shaking hands and accepting diploma during commencement

Regalia Information

Graduates are required to wear regalia during the commencement ceremony. You may order your regalia through HerffJones.com. Herff Jones will ship your regalia materials directly to you prior to commencement.

Graduates must place all orders by September 22, 2023 at 11:00pm CST/ 12:00am EST to ensure delivery by commencement. No orders will be allowed after this date.

Order Your Regalia
Regalia Package Pricing
Item Price
Associate Basic Package $34.50
Bachelor's Basic Package $34.50
Master's with Hood $66.25
Doctors with Hood $92.50

Keynote SpeakerRussell J. Kendzior

As the Founder and Chairman of the Board of the National Floor Safety Institute, Russell Kendzior is recognized worldwide as one of the leading safety experts specializing in slip, trip-and-fall prevention. As President of Traction Experts, Inc. Mr. Kendzior has consulted with numerous fortune 500 corporations and has represented both Plaintiffs and Defendants as an expert witness on more than 1300 slip, trip-and-fall related lawsuits.

Mr. Kendzior is the Secretary of the NFSI B101 Committee for the Prevention of Slips, Trips, and Fall’s and is a member of the Board of Delegates of the National Safety Council. Mr. Kendzior has testified before the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) as well as the International Code Council.

Sought nationwide as a safety consultant, public speaker, and expert witness, Mr. Kendzior is the author of four best-selling books on slip, trip and fall prevention entitled; “Slip and Fall Prevention Made Easy” (1999), “Fall’s Aren’t Funny” (2010), FLOORED! Real-Life Stories from a Slip and Fall Expert Witness” (2017), and “A Lawyers Roadmap to Slip, Trip and Fall Litigation” (2023).

Mr. Kendzior has appeared on numerous national television and cable programs including: PBS, Inside Edition, Good Morning America, CBS News and ABC News Primetime “What Would You Do” and is the creator and host of the “Safety Newz” podcast and YouTube channel.

Headshot of Russell J. Kenizior

The Foley Event Center at OWA

The CSU Commencement Ceremonies are held at The Foley Event Center at OWA, located just minutes away from the CSU campus.

Driving Directions from Nearby Airports

Where to Stay and Eat

Pre-Commencement Activities

The Columbia Southern University Alumni Association in kicking off the commencement celebrations on Thursday, October 26, 2023. More details will be released in the upcoming months. We look forward to celebrating with you!

Virtual Commencement

Columbia Southern University will host a virtual ceremony on June 9, 2023.

Watch the 2023 CSU Virtual Commencement

View the Commencement Program

Call to Actions Links