2024 Graduate School Commencement Week
2024 Graduate School Commencement Week
Monday, May 6 – Saturday, May 11, 2024
Class of 2024, get ready to celebrate Commencement Week with the Graduate School, May 6-11, 2024. During this week of celebrations, we will recognize the individual and collective accomplishments of the Graduate School's summer and fall 2023 and spring 2024 graduates.
We are so excited to see you achieve this important milestone and look forward to celebrating with you, and your families, during Graduate School's Spring 2024 Hood Presentation and Recognition Ceremony on Thursday, May 9, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (EDT) at Cramton Auditorium. The University-wide Main Commencement will be held at the Main Yard on Saturday, May 11, 2024 (in the case of inclement weather, this location may change). Each graduate will receive 4 free reserved seating tickets for family and friends. For more information about your department's or division's celebration, please contact your respective department directly.
Commencement Week Schedule
Monday, May 6
| Time | Details | Location |
|---|---|---|
| May 6 10:00am - 1:00pm |
Each graduating Ph.D. student who has met the academic and financial clearance obligations required by the University outlined in this policy is eligible to have four (4) reserved seating Commencement tickets for their guests. Before ticket pick up please ensure you have met these requirements. If you miss your ticket pick-up window, you can return to the HU Bookstore on Friday, May 10, to obtain your tickets. You must present a valid photo ID at the time of pick up. Regalia: If you placed a regalia order during the HU Bookstore Fair, your regalia will be available during your designated ticket pick-up window. If you placed a regalia order online, your regalia will be delivered directly to the shipping address you indicated in the online order. |
HU Bookstore |
Tuesday, May 7
| Time | Details | Location |
|---|---|---|
| May 7 10:00am - 1:00pm |
Each graduating master's or certificate student who has met the academic and financial clearance obligations required by the University outlined in this policy is eligible to have four (4) reserved seating Commencement tickets for their guests. Before ticket pick up please ensure you have met these requirements. If you miss your ticket pick-up window, you can return to the HU Bookstore on Friday, May 10, to obtain your tickets. You must present a valid photo ID at the time of pick up. Regalia: If you placed a regalia order during the HU Bookstore Fair, your regalia will be available during your designated ticket pick-up window. If you placed a regalia order online, your regalia will be delivered directly to the shipping address you indicated in the online order. |
HU Bookstore |
| Time | Details | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Date and Time TBD | All Graduates Information Session for Commencement Participation (Prospective graduates and marshals are all expected to attend) | Virtual Webinar (Look out for email update with the link) |
| Time | Details | Location |
|---|---|---|
| May 7 2:00pm - 3:00pm |
Graduate School Ceremony Rehearsal for students and key graduation staff. All prospective graduates are required to attend. | Cramton Auditorium |
Graduate School Recognition Ceremony
Thursday, May 9
Schedule for Doctoral Candidates
| Date & Time | Details | Location |
|---|---|---|
| May 9 12:00pm |
Ph.D. Student Check- In and Name card Distribution | Biology Auditorium |
| May 9 12:45pm |
Ph.D. Candidates Photoshoot | The Valley |
| May 9 1:15pm |
Ph.D. Lineup and Ceremonial Walk | Procession to Cramton |
| May 9 1:15pm - 1:40pm |
Guests Proceed to Cramton Auditorium | Cramton Auditorium |
| May 9 1:45pm |
The Procession Begins | Cramton Auditorium |
| May 9 2:00pm |
Graduate School Hood Presentation & Recognition Ceremony | Cramton Auditorium |
| May 9 4:00pm- 6:00pm |
Annual President’s Reception | Ballroom, Blackburn University Center |
Thursday, May 9
Schedule for Master’s and Certificate Candidates
| Date & Time | Details | Location |
|---|---|---|
| May 9 1:15pm |
Master’s and Certificate Student Check- In, Name Card Distribution, and Lineup |
Cramton Auditorium |
| May 9 1:15pm - 1:40pm |
Guests Proceed to Cramton Auditorium | Cramton Auditorium |
| May 9 1:45pm |
The Procession Begins | Cramton Auditorium |
| May 9 2:00pm |
Graduate School Hood Presentation & Recognition Ceremony | Cramton Auditorium |
| May 9 4:00pm- 6:00pm |
Annual President’s Reception | Ballroom, Blackburn University Center |
Commencement Prayer Breakfast
Friday, May 10
| Date & Time | Details | Location |
|---|---|---|
| May 10 7:30am - 10:00am |
Commencement Prayer Breakfast | Ballroom, Blackburn University Student Center |
Main Commencement Ceremony
Saturday, May 11
University Main Commencement
| Date & Time | Details | Location |
|---|---|---|
| May 11 7:00am |
All Graduate School degree candidates must report to Capital One Arena in full regalia for line up. Prospective graduates who arrive late may not be allowed to sit with their respective school or college and may be added to the end of the procession. All graduates must be in full academic regalia to enter and participate in the ceremony Graduates should go to their assigned section to gather and be seated prior to the processional. |
Capital One Arena Gallery Place Entrance: G Street Alley entrance (midway on Seventh Street NW; between F and G Streets NW) |
| May 11 7:30am |
Doors open to all guests at 7:30 a.m. Four (4) guest tickets will be issued to each graduate who has fulfilled the academic and financial clearance process required by the University. We encourage all guests to be seated well before 8:30 a.m. to witness the procession of the graduates. | Capital One Arena, 601 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004 |
| May 11 8:30am |
The procession begins | Capital One Arena, 601 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004 |
| May 11 10:00am |
Graduation remarks begin | Capital One Arena, 601 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004 |
| May 11 1:00pm |
Commencement closes | Capital One Arena, 601 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004 |