Commencement

Preparing for Commencement

• Weather Update: Due to forecasted inclement weather for May 21, the Undergraduate Ceremony will not include a student processional, though all other elements will proceed as planned. The Graduate Ceremony remains unchanged. All call times stay the same. Attendees should prepare for rain with ponchos (recommended) or small umbrellas, and those with lawn seats may wish to consider the livestream option. Read full details here.

• Graduates must register on Tassel to participate in the Commencement ceremony.

• Graduates must print your Grad Pass (on Tassel) and bring it with you on Commencement day. Your Grad Pass will remain with you throughout the day and collected on stage. Your Grad Pass serve as your ticket to enter, and for name pronunciation during the ceremony.

• All guests must print their guest tickets to facilitate entry. If a guest does not have a ticket, they cannot attend the ceremony. If you make multiple copies of the same ticket, only the first guest scanned with the unique QR code will be allowed access to the venue. Your tickets are accessible via Tassel.

• As part of your agreement to participate in the ceremony, graduates have agreed to stay until the end of the ceremony. You cannot leave until the ceremony is over. We ask that your guests also remain until the end of the ceremony so that all graduates are given the same experience and respect.

• In keeping with the tradition and solemnity of the ceremony, graduates must wear your academic regalia to participate in the ceremony. We recommend steaming your gown before the day of the ceremony. There will not be any regalia for purchase at the venue; if you have not yet purchased your regalia, you must do so at the Stevens Bookstore by Tuesday, May 20. Graduates must wear academic regalia to enter the venue.

Your Arrival to PNC Bank Arts Center

Graduates must enter PNC Bank Arts Center at the Platform Party, Faculty & Graduates Entrance. All graduates must be dressed in their academic regalia to enter the facility. Undergraduate graduates and guests should plan to arrive between 7:30 am – 8 am, arriving by 8 am at the latest. Parking lots are free of charge (no pass required). Graduates and guests should plan to arrive between 1:30 pm – 2 pm, arriving by 2 pm at the latest. Please plan ahead to arrange for your transportation to PNC Bank Arts Center.

Schedules for the Commencement Ceremonies

Here's the timeline for the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony:

7:30 AM - Parking Lots Open to Undergraduate Graduates and Guests
7:45 AM - PNC Bank Arts Center Opens to Undergraduate Graduates and Guests
8:00 AM - Latest Arrival Time for Graduates and Guests
9:00 AM - Gates to PNC Bank Arts Center Close for the Processional; Late Graduates and Guests Cannot Enter the Venue at this time
9:00 AM - Undergraduate Processional Begins
9:30 AM - Undergraduate Ceremony Begins
9:45 AM - Gates to PNC Bank Arts Center Re-Open; Late Graduates and Guests May Enter the Venue
12:30 PM - Undergraduate Ceremony Ends

It is imperative that graduates and guests arrive by 8 am at the latest.

Here's the timeline for the Graduate Commencement Ceremony:

1:30 PM - Parking Lots Open to Graduates and Guests
1:45 PM - PNC Bank Arts Center Opens to Graduates and Guests
2:00 PM - Latest Arrival Time for Graduates and Guests
3:00 PM - Gates to PNC Bank Arts Center Close for the Processional; Late Graduates and Guests Cannot Enter the Venue at this time
3:10 PM - Academic Processional Begins
3:30 PM - Ceremony Begins
3:30 PM - Gates to PNC Bank Arts Center Re-Open; Late Graduates and Guests May Enter the Venue
6:30 PM - Ceremony Ends

It is imperative that graduates and guests arrive and enter the venue by 2 pm at the latest.

Commencement Live Streams

For those graduates who have family and friends who cannot join in person at PNC Bank Arts Center on May 21, you are in luck! The ceremony will be live streamed at https://www.stevensducks.tv/. Awards ceremonies, the Order of the Engineer ceremony, and the PhD Hooding will also be live streamed. The links are available from the Commencement website.

Professional Photos at Commencement

Stevens has partnered with Pro Pics to take professional portraits of all graduates during the ceremonies. Photos will be available for purchase after the ceremony. There is no cost to have your photo taken and no obligation to purchase. If you would like to receive your photo proofs, please go to to register and upload a selfie. If you have any questions regarding photos, contact Pro Pics at [email protected].

Additionally, Stevens has professional photographers taking overarching photos of the ceremonies which will be posted on our University Events flickr account after the ceremonies for all to enjoy.

Tips and Tricks for Commencement

• Plan to arrive early. There may be traffic, and it also takes time to get from the parking lots to the entrance, then through security, and up to the theater area.

• Graduates should keep all personal items including luggage at home or in their car. Those items will not be permitted in the venue.

• Graduates and guests should print all tickets and passes issued for Commencement to ensure that the entry process to PNC Bank Arts Center goes smoothly and quickly.

• Please inform your guests that seating is general admission. PNC and Stevens staff will show guests to their seats in the order of arrival.

• Please note that if a graduate decides to leave their seat during the ceremony, they are only permitted back in the ticketed theater and lawn areas to return to their seat. If they do not wish to return to their seat, they must exit the venue.

How to Wear Your Academic Regalia

Be sure to remove your academic regalia from the plastic bag and hang it up before the ceremony. If you have a steamer, you should consider steaming the robe before Commencement. Use these instructions for guidance regarding the proper way to wear your regalia. Don't forget - graduates must wear their cap, gown, and hood to enter PNC Bank Arts Center.