Fri · Aug 7 · 6:00 PM
United Supermarkets Arena, Lubbock · Be checked in by 5:00 PM
⏰ Leave San Antonio by 8:00 AM (7:30 to be safe).
Drive is ~400 miles / ~5½ hrs via US‑87. Leaving at 8 gets you to Lubbock ~2:00 PM with stops — time to grab your veteran stole, dress, and be at the arena by 5:00.
The Day, Hour by Hour
Tonight · 7:00 PM — pick up rental
Hertz at San Antonio Airport (SAT). Ford Focus (small sedan). Uber over is totally fine — you drop the car back at the same airport counter Sat, Aug 8 by 6:00 PM.
8:00 AM — depart home
Depart home → Lubbock. Fuel up the night before or first thing. Plan one gas/food stop around San Angelo (~halfway).
~2:00 PM — arrive Lubbock
Head to campus. Grab lunch if you didn't on the road.
2:00–4:30 PM — pick up veteran stole
Military & Veteran Programs,
West Hall, Suite 242 (open 8 AM–5 PM). Your camo‑tipped stole is being held for you. It's a few minutes from the arena.
West Hall map ↗
~4:45 PM — park at arena
United Supermarkets Arena,
1701 Indiana Ave. Park in the
north parking lot.
Open in Maps ↗
5:00 PM — check in (60 min early)
Enter through the drive‑in bay on the north end of the arena — the ramp in the center of the north parking lot. Check in at the Graduate School table to get your GradPass & seat assignment.
6:00 PM — ceremony 🎉
Graduate School commencement. You walk. Then the long drive home — you'll be back late, so caffeine + a plan for the return trip.
Where Exactly to Park
Arena
United Supermarkets Arena
1701 Indiana Ave, Lubbock, TX 79409
GPS
33.5843° N, 101.8730° W
Your lot
North parking lot — you (the graduate) enter the north drive‑in bay via the center ramp. Aim for the north side off Main St.
What You're Wearing
Regalia
Master's — arrive in full regalia including your hood (master's aren't hooded on stage; only doctoral are).
Your hood
Maroon hood · Red/Black tassel · Surefit cap
Veteran stole
Camo‑tipped stole (pick up at West Hall first)
Underneath the gown
Shirt
White or light dress shirt — cleanest look, only the collar shows.
Tie
Yes, wear one. Only the knot is visible above the zipper. Red or black (school colors) is a nice touch — any conservative tie works.
Shoes
Dark dress shoes, closed‑toe, comfortable — you'll stand and walk. Black is safest.
Pants
Dark slacks (black/charcoal). They may show as you walk.
Haircut/beard: Neither is required. If you want to look sharp in the photos, a fresh haircut today is a good call. No need to shave the beard — just trim it neat. Your choice.
Do These BEFORE You Go
- Register for your ceremony photo — important, avoids a hold‑up at the door. quic.pics/checkin/27387611 ↗
- Confirm your stole is ready (already confirmed by email — just show up before 5 PM).
- Tell your wife to bring a clear bag — clear‑bag policy is in effect for all guests.
- Charge your phone; screenshot this page for offline access.
- Gas up the rental the night before.
✅ Already done: You RSVP'd to commencement (confirmed July 24) and guest tickets are NOT required — no further RSVP needed.
Your Wife & Daughter
No tickets needed — open/general‑admission seating. They park in the same lots and enter through the public/main entrances (not your north drive‑in bay). Doors open about an hour before, so getting there by ~5:00 PM lands them good seats. Remind them: clear bag policy. There's no bag/coat check, so travel light.
Phone Numbers
Grad School
806‑742‑2787 · enrollment.services.gradschool@ttu.edu
Commencement
commencement@ttu.edu
Veteran (MVP)
Derek Blackhart · 806‑742‑6877 · mvp@ttu.edu
Hertz
Pickup 7 PM at SAT airport · details in your email
The "Veterans Toll" Question
Good news — there are no toll roads between San Antonio and Lubbock on the US‑87 route. You don't need a toll tag or any veteran toll waiver for this trip. (Texas does exempt certain disabled‑veteran license plates from tolls, but that only matters on toll roads, and you won't be on any.)