It's Time to Celebrate 2025 Commencement
Columbia Southern University will hold an in-person ceremony on October 17, 2025. The deadline to register is September 2, 2025.
Ceremony Details
Commencement is one of the most joyous events at CSU. Every year, our university faculty and staff look forward to celebrating this incredible milestone with our graduates and their loved ones. CSU will hold its 2025 commencement ceremonies on Friday, October 17, 2025, at the Foley Event Center at OWA (1001 E Pride Blvd, Foley, AL 36535. We will hold two ceremonies, at 9a.m. and 2p.m. You will be assigned a ceremony time when your registration is processed. CSU reserves the right to add additional ceremonies and reassign graduates to meet capacity limits.
Ceremony Registration
The commencement registration deadline is September 2, 2025, or when the maximum seating capacity is reached, whichever comes first.
Eligibility to Participate in Commencement
- Students must have submitted a petition to graduate and receive audit results*.
- Students must submit the commencement ceremony registration form and pay the $165 ceremony fee.
- Students must complete all graduation requirements, including financial, 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.
*Students must complete the Commencement registration form in addition to submitting their petition to graduate.
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. Please request all guest tickets at the time of registration. Small children who do not require their own chair will not require a ticket. Graduates do not require a ticket.
Register Now
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.
The standard ordering period will be open through Friday, September 12, 2025, at 10:59pm CST. The late ordering period will start on Monday, September 15, 2025. The site will close permanently at 11 p.m. CST and no further orders will be accepted. Late orders will incur an expedited FedEx shipping fee.
Keynote SpeakerRick Rigsby
Nearly 300 million people globally have viewed Dr. Rigsby’s sensational speech in the viral video titled, “Lessons from a Third Grade Dropout.”
As president and CEO of Rick Rigsby Communications, the internationally acclaimed speaker presents to the top companies worldwide. Dr. Rick is also a favorite among professional and collegiate sports organizations. Rigsby—a former award-winning professor—spent over two decades teaching at various colleges, most of those years serving at Texas A&M University. In addition to academic duties, Dr. Rigsby was hired by legendary football icon R.C. Slocum as chaplain and life skills coach for the Aggies football team.
A former award-winning journalist, Dr. Rigsby is a regular contributor on numerous national television and radio programs.
Inspired by a genuine conviction to help people realize their full potential, Rick Rigsby brings a combined four decades of experience and expertise to the set of “How Ya Livin’?” This transformative podcast encourages, inspires and challenges people at every level to dream bigger, stretch beyond comfort zones and achieve the impossible!
As Rick says, most people I meet are asking themselves the same unrelenting question, “I wonder how great I can actually be?” what a privilege to help people make such profound discoveries!
A Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Amazon best-selling author, Dr. Rigsby’s books include, “Lessons from a Third Grade Dropout” and “Afraid to Hope.”
Pre-Commencement Activities
The Columbia Southern University Alumni Association is kicking off the commencement celebrations on Thursday, October 16, 2025. More details will be released in the upcoming months. We look forward to celebrating with you!
The Foley Event Center at OWA
The CSU Commencement in-person ceremonies are held at The Foley Event Center at OWA, located just minutes away from the CSU campus.
Driving Directions from Nearby Airports
- From Pensacola Regional Airport to the Foley Event Center
- From Mobile Regional Airport to the Foley Event Center
Where to Stay and Eat
2025 Virtual Commencement
Columbia Southern University held a virtual ceremony on May 30, 2025.