Commencement Weekend
What is the difference between a Convocation and Commencement?
Syracuse University schools and colleges host celebratory Convocations on the Friday or Saturday before Commencement to individually recognize degree candidates and to present special awards. Convocations are either preceded or followed by receptions, where students and families have the opportunity to mingle with deans and faculty.
Commencement is the all-university ceremony on Sunday, May 11, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and ending approximately at noon. The Syracuse University Chancellor and President ceremoniously confers degrees at Commencement.
Ceremonies & Events Prior to Commencement Weekend
Sunday, May 4, 2025 |
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| Event | Start Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| The Blessing of Students | 4:00 PM | Hendricks Chapel |
Commencement Weekend Event Schedule
Thursday, May 8, 2025 |
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| Ceremony/Reception | Start Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Commencement Rehearsal - Graduation Candidates ONLY | 12:00 PM | JMA Wireless Dome |
| Senior Celebration | 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Einhorn Family Walkway |
| Phi Beta Kappa Initiation Ceremony | 4:00 PM | Schine 304 ABC |
| Phi Beta Kappa Initiation Reception | 5:00 PM | Panasci Lounge, Schine Student Center |
| College of Law Reception | 5:00 PM | Levy Atrium, Dineen Hall |
| Department of Public Administration & International Affairs Reception | 5:30 PM | TBD |
| College of Professional Studies Convocation | 6:00 PM | Hendricks Chapel |
| College of Professional Studies Reception | 7:00 PM | Shaffer Art Building |
Friday, May 9, 2025 |
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| Ceremony/Reception | Start Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Veteran Commencement Ceremony | 8:00 AM | K.G. Tan Auditorium, NVRC |
| Veteran Commencement Reception | 9:00 AM | Grand Hall, NVRC |
| Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs Convocation (Master's and Doctoral Degree Candidates) | 9:00 AM | Hendrick's Chapel |
| POSSE Scholars Celebration | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Schine 304ABC |
| Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs Reception (Master's and Doctoral Degree Candidates) | 10:30 AM | Maxwell Hall Patio, Maxwell Hall Foyer and Lincoln Courtyard |
| Joint ROTC Commissioning Celebration | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM | K.G. Tan Auditorium, NVRC |
| Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | K.G. Tan Auditorium, NVRC |
| BACCALAUREATE Center for Academic Achievement & Student Development (CSTEP, HEOP, LSAMP, McNair, SSS) | 12:00 PM | Hendricks Chapel |
| College of Law Commencement | 12:30 PM | JMA Wireless Dome |
| Army ROTC Reception | 1:00 PM -2:00 PM | Grand Hall, NVRC |
| Center for Academic Achievement & Student Development (CSTEP, HEOP, LSAMP, McNair, SSS) Reception | 1:30 PM | Tent D on the Quad |
| Air Force Commissioning | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | K.G Tan Aud & Parade Field, NVRC |
| Air Force Reception | 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Grand Hall, NVRC |
| Renée Crown University Honors Program Ceremony | 3:00 PM | Hendricks Chapel |
| Renée Crown University Honors Program Reception | 5:00 PM | Lincoln Courtyard |
| Graduate School (Doctoral Hooding) Ceremony | 5:00 PM | Goldstein Auditorium, Schine Student Center |
| Graduate School (Doctoral Hooding) Reception | 6:00 PM | Panasci Lounge, Schine Student Center |
| Itanwa Orinwa | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM | JMA Wireless Dome |
Saturday, May 10, 2025 |
||
| Ceremony/Reception | Start Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| College of Arts and Sciences | Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs Convocation (Bachelor's Degree Candidates) | 8:30 AM | JMA Wireless Dome |
| College of Engineering and Computer Science Convocation | 8:30 AM | Lally Athletics Complex |
| School of Architecture Convocation (Bachelor's and Master's Degree Candidates) | 10:00 AM | Hendricks Chapel |
| College of Arts and Sciences | Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs Reception (Bachelor's Degree Candidates) | 10:30 AM | All Tents on the Quad Lincoln Courtyard |
| College of Engineering and Computer Science Reception | 10:30 AM | Tent at Lally |
| School of Architecture Reception (Bachelor's and Master's Degree Candidates) | 11:30 AM | Slocum Hall Atrium |
| School of Information Studies Convocation (Bachelor's Degree Candidates) | 12:00 PM | Goldstein Auditorium, Schine Student Center |
| S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications Convocation | 12:30 PM | JMA Wireless Dome |
| David B. Falk College of Sport & Human Dynamics Convocation | 12:30 PM | Lally Athletics Complex |
| Martin J. Whitman School of Management Reception | 1:00 PM | Whitman School of Management (Flaum Grand Hall) |
| School of Information Studies Reception (Bachelor's Degree Candidates) | 1:30 PM | Panasci Lounge, Schine Student Center |
| College of Arts and Sciences Convocation (Master's Degree Candidates) | 2:00 PM | Hendricks Chapel |
| David B. Falk College of Sport & Human Dynamics Reception | 2:15 PM | Tent at Lally |
| S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications Reception | 2:30 PM | All Tents on the Quad |
| School of Information Studies Convocation (Master's and Doctoral Degree Candidates) | 3:00 PM | Goldstein Auditorium, Schine Student Center |
| College of Arts and Sciences Reception (Master's Degree Candidates) | 3:00 PM | Lincoln Courtyard |
| Martin J. Whitman School of Management Convocation | 4:00 PM | JMA Wireless Dome |
| School of Education Convocation | 4:30 PM | Lally Athletics Complex |
| College of Visual and Performing Arts (Master’s Hooding Ceremony) | 4:30 PM | Hendricks Chapel |
| School of Information Studies Reception (Master's and Doctoral Degree Candidates) | 4:30 PM | Panasci Lounge, Schine Student Center |
School of Education Reception |
5:45 PM | Tent at Lally |
| College of Visual and Performing Arts Convocation (Bachelor's and Master's Degree Candidates) | 7:30 PM | JMA Wireless Dome |
| College of Visual and Performing Arts Reception | 9:00 PM | Miron Victory Court, JMA Wireless Dome |
Sunday, May 11, 2025 |
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| Ceremony/Reception | Start Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Commencement of Syracuse University | 9:30 AM | JMA Wireless Dome |
| Multicultural Graduation Reception | 12:00 PM | Goldstein Auditorium, Schine Student Center |
| International Student Graduation Reception | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Center for International Services |
Download the 2025 Commencement Weekend Ceremonies [PDF]
Important Security Procedures for Commencement Weekend
As part of an ongoing effort to ensure a safe and enjoyable event, all guests and degree candidates will go through security screening, including metal detection, prior to entering all Convocation and Commencement venues. Please allow additional time for security screening to avoid delay.
As in past years, large bags, backpacks, duffel bags, and large shopping bags will not be allowed and degree candidates and all guests may not bring bags larger than 10″ x 10″ into Convocations or Commencement. All purses, binocular cases, and camera cases will be opened and inspected. There will not be a holding area for items at any venue.
As always, the following items are prohibited:
- Firearms, explosives, fireworks
- Air horns, backpacks, balls, balloons, banners, beach balls, coolers, confetti, containers, large purses, duffel bags, laser pointers, noise makers, inflatables, promotional items, shopping bags, large signs
- Food and beverages may not be brought into ceremony venues, except if for medical reasons or for infants
Service dogs are the only animals permitted inside Commencement Weekend venues.