Day of Commencement

Check in at the Bryce Jordan Center at noon. Enter Gate B; then enter the event floor via Portal 15. Please wear your academic regalia, including hood. After you check-in and pick up your name card, master’s candidates will join other graduates by college in the main arena.

Follow the below steps once you arrive at commencement:

1. Pick up your commencement card. If you aren’t able to pick up your card in advance, we will have it waiting for you at the Commencement ceremony. Pick up days and times in advance of the ceremony will be announced at a later day.
2. Fill out your commencement card. On the back of the card, write your contact information if you would like to be notified when Commencement photos are available.
3. Find your seat. Graduates will be seated with the college or campus that is the curricular home for their program. Your seating area will be listed on your commencement card.

Degree conferral: University Marshals will direct the movement to the stage. Candidates give the card with their name and program on it to the staff as the graduate approaches the platform stage. Each candidate will be announced by name and program as they move across the stage platform. The process moves quickly, allowing no time for conversation. University Marshals will direct graduates back to their seats.

When to Arrive: 3:30 p.m.

Where to Go: Gate C of Pegula Ice Arena. You will be directed from there to the community ice rink.

Hooding on Stage: Starting with the spring 2025 semester, faculty escorts will hood doctoral candidates on stage. To make the process as seamless as possible, follow these instructions:

1. When directed by University Marshals, candidates and their escorts will go to the stage.
2. Students will give their commencement card to the staff.
3. As each candidate is announced by name and program, they will walk across the stage accompanied by their faculty escort. The escort will step onto a wooden platform to perform the hooding.
4. After the hooding, both the faculty escort and the graduate will continue across the stage. Faculty will then be guided to their designated seats, while graduates will be directed to the photography area.

General parking will be available in Stadium West and Jordan East. View Bryce Jordan Center Commencement Parking Interactive Map. Guests of the master's ceremony should enter Gates A, B, or C.

ADA Parking: Parking for guests with disabilities is available. Parking attendants will be on duty to guide guests to the appropriate areas. The driver may drop the passenger off at the Founders Lounge entrance and then park the vehicle. A valid, state-issued ADA placard or license plate is required for ADA parking, and there is no fee for parking. For an ADA access map of campus, visit the ADA Access Interactive Map. Parking in these lots is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Bryce Jordan Center Bag Policy: In line with the best practices at major entertainment venues, the Bryce Jordan Center utilizes walk-through metal detectors at all entry gates and restrictions on the size and type of bag that may be carried into the arena for all events. Please review the Bryce Jordan's Center Bag Policy. For more specific guidance, visit the A-Z Guide.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. Information about commencement is available in alternative media on request. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact gradschoolcommencement@psu.edu at least two weeks prior to commencement to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

Parking: For an ADA access map of campus, visit the ADA Access Interactive Map. Parking in these lots is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please allow extra time for traffic and parking when planning your visit. A valid, state-issued ADA placard or license plate is required for ADA parking.

Seating: ADA seating will be available. Contact the venue for further information.

Bryce Jordan Center: 814-865-5555 or BJCTicketCenter@psu.edu

Photographers from GradImages will be at the commencement ceremony to take photographs of students as they individually approach, cross, and exit the stage. If you are interested in being contacted by GradImages with an offer for a free 5 x 7 print and an opportunity to purchase additional photos, please provide your U.S. mailing and email addresses on the reverse side of the name card. GradImages will be in touch with you soon after graduation.

Guests are welcome to bring any hand-held photo and video device that can be used from their seats. Only graduates are permitted on the event floor. Commencement ceremonies are live streamed and available following commencement on Penn State’s YouTube Channel and the Commencement Live Stream Archive. Breaking news regarding commencement ceremonies may also be available from Penn State Live, our official news source.

Diplomas will be mailed by the Office of the University Registrar to the graduate’s home address or LionPATH diploma mailing address approximately four weeks after graduation. For more information, visit registrar.psu.edu.