2024 Graduate School Commencement Week

Graduate School Recognition Ceremony
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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 Capital One Arena on Saturday, May 11, 2024.  Each graduate will receive five (5)  free reserved seating tickets for family and friends to enter the Capital One Arena. For more information about your department's or division's celebration, please contact your respective department directly.

Commencement Week Schedule

Tuesday, May 7

​​​​​​​Doctoral Student Regalia & Ticket Pick-Up
Time Details Location
May 7
11:00am - 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 five (5) 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
Master’s and Certificate Student Regalia & Ticket Pick-Up
Time Details Location
May 7
11:00am - 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 five (5) 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
All Graduates Info Session for Commencement Participation (Virtual)
Time Details Location
May 7
7:00pm-8:00pm
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)
Rehearsal for Graduate School Hood Presentation & Recognition Ceremony
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

Detailed instructions will be sent via email
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

Detailed instructions sent via email
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 

Detailed instructions will be sent via email
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. Five (5) 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