2026 JSSOM MD Commencement

Graduate Highlights

We invite all UTMB faculty to process with the group on the day of the ceremony. You will need to show up in full academic regalia. You may rent regalia. Please note, if you have a role in the ceremony, such as Special Hooder, or are a Faculty Marshal, you must be at the Moody Gardens Convention Center for rehearsal by 7:45AM.

FACULTY – ORDER YOUR REGALIA

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 School of Medicine MD Class of 2026 will choose their Senior Faculty Marshal.

The Oath Administrator marks the important transition as graduates formally enter the medical profession.

Dr. Jennifer R. Raley, MD, FAAFP, will be the Oath Administrator for the John Sealy School of Medicine MD Class of 2026.

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