Alabama graduation Countdown

The Capstone's long road

The University of Alabama opened its doors in 1831 and has survived more than most campuses: Union cavalry burned it nearly to the ground on April 4, 1865, days before the Civil War ended, leaving only four buildings — among them the Gorgas House and the President's Mansion, which still stand today. The campus that once smoldered now holds a record 42,360 students as of fall 2025, drawn to everything from Culverhouse business programs to one of the country's best-known communication schools.

A weekend of ceremonies at Coleman Coliseum

Alabama graduates by college across a full weekend, and Coleman Coliseum's 14,619 seats fill several times over as the ceremonies rotate through. Tradition runs deep here: the Commencement 'A' symbol has marked the conferral of degrees since around the turn of the twentieth century, and the university confers degrees in May, August, and December, so winter graduates get a proper ceremony of their own. Cap-and-gown photos at Denny Chimes and Bryant-Denny Stadium are practically a required elective.

Graduates, class by class

The Class of 1932 gave baseball its voice — Mel Allen, the Yankees' legendary announcer, who added an Alabama law degree in 1936. E.O. Wilson, Class of 1949, became the father of sociobiology; Gay Talese, Class of 1953, helped invent New Journalism; and Winston Groom, Class of 1965, wrote Forrest Gump. Sela Ward, Class of 1977, went from Crimson Tide cheerleader to Emmy winner, and Rece Davis, Class of 1988, hosts College GameDay. Joe Namath finally joined the Class of 2007, finishing his degree at age 64.

Planning the trip — and sharing the date

Tuscaloosa's hotel stock is built for football Saturdays, and commencement weekend hits nearly as hard — book along McFarland Boulevard or near the Strip months out, or fall back on Birmingham, about an hour away. Ceremonies are grouped by college across the weekend, so confirm your graduate's exact day and time before anyone books flights. Students: drop this free countdown in your class group chat so every family lands on the right ceremony — the link carries the date with it.

Quick facts

• Opened in 1831, UA is the oldest public university in Alabama
• Enrollment hit a record 42,360 students in fall 2025
• Commencement's home, Coleman Coliseum, seats 14,619
• Union troops burned the campus on April 4, 1865 — only four buildings survived
• Joe Namath returned to earn his degree at UA's December 2007 commencement, at age 64
• Spring 2027 ceremonies run Friday through Sunday, May 7–9