Graduate Commencement: What to Expect
May 3, 2024 | 4:00 p.m. | Harold Alfond Arena
The Graduate School Commencement Ceremony will be held on May 3 in the Harold Alfond Arena. This is not a ticketed event.
Graduates are expected to report in regalia to the New Balance Field House by 3:00 p.m. on May 3. There is no rehearsal, be sure to follow staff instructions for line-up, marching, and hooding on the day of the ceremony. See below for additional instructions.
Guide to Academic Regalia
Please be sure that you have obtained the correct color hood for your degree from the Bookstore.
- CAS/EdS (Education) – Light Blue
- CAS (Nursing) – Golden Yellow
- Doctor of Education – Light Blue
- Doctor of Philosophy – Dark Blue
- Master of Arts – White
- Master of Arts in Teaching – White
- Master of Business Administration – Drab
- Master of Education – Light Blue
- Master of Engineering – Orange
- Master of Fine Arts – Dark Brown
- Master of Forestry – Russet
- Master of Music – Pink
- Master of Professional Studies –
Golden Yellow - Master of Science – Golden Yellow
- Master of Science in Teaching –
Golden Yellow - Master of Social Work – Citron
- Master of Wildlife Conservation –
Golden Yellow - Professional Science Master’s –
Golden Yellow
Commencement Day
Graduate candidates must pre-register to participate in ceremonies. Refer to the graduate school’s main commencement webpage for additional information.
On May 3
Graduates are expected to report to the New Balance Field House by 3:00 p.m. on May 3. Enter through the doors under the big M. Regalia obtained through the Bookstore must be worn in order to participate in ceremonies.
- Bring or wear the cap and gown (regalia) to the Field House
- Bring the hood for your discipline with you to the Field House
- Drape the hood over your left arm
- The tassels on your cap are to the left
Do not bring personal belongings to the Field House – the University is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
In the Field House
- Obtain your white reader card with your name, degree, and advisor
- Master’s/CAS/EdS graduates will line up with their college
- Doctoral candidates will line up with the other doctoral candidates
We begin marching at 3:50 p.m. Graduates will be led through the center aisle of the Alfond Arena to their seats. If the ceremony has already begun, find an usher to escort you to a seat. Once the ceremony begins, University staff will indicate when to go on stage.
During the Ceremony
- University staff will indicate when to go on stage
- Take the white reader card and your hood with you on stage
- Leave your personal belongings and the program at your seat
- Hand the white reader card to the reader
- Walk to the hooding area and present your hood
- The photographer will take your picture as you are hooded, remember to smile!
- Proceed to pick up your diploma
- Continue off stage
- Return to your seat as directed by the University staff
- Remain seated for the entire ceremony out of courtesy to your fellow graduates