Commencement

Thursday, May 1 and Friday, May 2

8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Regalia Distribution, Benjamin Apple Meeting Rooms in the Charles B. Degenstein Campus Center 

Friday, May 9  

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

•   Graduate Awards Luncheon, Evert Dining Room in the Charles B. Degenstein Campus Center 

2 to 3:30 p.m.

• Mandatory Rehearsal for Graduates, Weber Chapel Auditorium 

4:30 p.m.

• UMOJA Stoling Ceremony & Reception, Stretansky Concert Hall in the Cunningham Center for Music & Art 

7:30 p.m.

• Baccalaureate Ceremony, Weber Chapel Auditorium 

Saturday, May 10

9:30 to 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• Commencement Brunch for Graduates, Families and Guests (optional), Evert Dining Room in the Charles B. Degenstein Campus Center 

Graduates and their guests are invited to the Commencement Brunch. To allow everyone ample time to enjoy the brunch, there will be two seatings: 9:30 to 11 a.m. or 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Reserve tickets for your preferred seating by contacting Amanda Martin at 570-372-4228 or . The cost is $18 for each guest age 12 and over, $11 for children under 12, and free for children under 5. Graduates attend at no charge and can reserve and pick up their complimentary ticket in the Dining Services Office. 

11:30 a.m.

• Doors Open for Guests, Robert I. Estill Field House in the James W. Garrett Sports Complex

1 p.m.

• Commencement Ceremony, Robert I. Estill Field House in the James W. Garrett Sports Complex

*Schedule of events will continue to be updated as details are finalized.

Complete the Commencement participation survey.

Surveys are distributed to graduating seniors, so you can provide the following important information to prepare for your walk across the stage to receive your diploma:

• Indicate your participation in the ceremony.
• Confirm the study-abroad program you participated in, which will be represented on your sash.
• Submit the phonetic spelling of your name.

After students complete the survey, they will be provided a link to purchase regalia, which must be completed by March 19. The cost is $62.86 and includes the gown, hood, cap and tassel, and GO Sash, which are yours to keep.

If you cannot locate the survey in your email, contact the Event Management Office at 570–372–4354 or . Note: If you have previously opted out of receiving surveys, you may not receive the Commencement survey.

Purchase tickets for Commencement Brunch.

Each graduate receives a complimentary ticket to the Commencement Brunch, which is an optional event. Reserve tickets for your preferred seating by contacting Amanda Martin at 570-372-4228 or . You can pick up your ticket(s) in the dining services office during Senior Week.

Check your grades.

Grades for seniors and other students participating in commencement will be available by Thursday, May 8.  

Understand the impact of outstanding charges on Commencement participation and diplomas.

Unpaid tuition, room and board, library fines, health center charges, parking tickets and athletic equipment charges must be paid before 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6. Payments in full or payment arrangements must be in place with Student Financial Services (SFS) for students to pick up caps and gowns. Outstanding balances will impact your ability to obtain your diploma. We encourage all students to contact SFS with questions about student account balances or to schedule an appointment with SFS by emailing .

On the Day of Commencement

Pick up some Susquehanna gear at the Bookstore.

The Bookstore will be open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, May 9, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 10. You and your family will receive a 10% discount on those days.

Residence halls will close at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 11.

These events, held prior to Commencement, are designed to celebrate graduating seniors and the communities that have supported them throughout their time at Susquehanna. The celebrations are open to the university community and all are welcome; however, registration is required for graduating seniors who wish to be recognized.

• Baccalaureate is an ecumenical and celebratory service for graduates, their families and supporters.
• First-Generation Pinning Celebration celebrates first-generation college student graduates.
• Lavender Cording Celebration celebrates LGBTQ+ graduating seniors and their allies.
• ROTC Commissioning Ceremony marks the transition from officer trainee to commissioned officer.
• Senior Shabbat celebrates graduating seniors.
• TRIO and REACH Celebration celebrates graduating seniors in the TRIO and REACH programs.
• Umoja Stoling Celebration celebrates community and unity — umoja is the Swahili word for “unity.”

Will on-campus parking be available?

Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. You may park in any non-accessibility space. View the campus map.

More than 200 additional parking spaces are available in the Sassafras Street lot. To access this lot from campus, take University Avenue to Market Street, turn right, proceed two blocks to Sassafras, turn right again and travel approximately one-quarter mile. The lot will be on your right.

See the special accommodations below for information about shuttles and accessibility parking.

What special accommodations are available at Commencement?

Special accommodations for Baccalaureate and Commencement are available for wheelchair users, the visually and hearing impaired* and those with other mobility or health conditions.

Accessibility parking is available (with advance registration) near James W. Garrett Sports Complex.

Contact Erin Auman at  to reserve accommodations for you or any of your guests.

*A sign language interpreter will be present at all Commencement activities.

What lodging accommodations are available for Commencement weekend?

Learn more about accommodations for the greater Selinsgrove area by visiting the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau website or calling 800-525-7320.

What vendors are available for Commencement-related services?

The following businesses provide Commencement-related services for the university. You are under no obligation to purchase their products.

• Balfour will provide information in the spring semester about graduation announcements and class rings.
• Commencement flowers will be available for purchase ahead of time as well as on the day of Commencement near the Field House.
• GradImages will take professional photos of students receiving their diploma and a posed portrait. The company will directly contact students with information about its services.