Commencement - Family and Guests
The Graduate School is excited to celebrate the achievements of your friends and loved ones at commencement!
Please Note: The ceremony will begin promptly at 4:30 p.m. It is the expectation that all students will remain on the floor until the conclusion of the ceremony out of respect for the importance and dignity of this occasion. Early departures are disruptive to other graduates and their families.
Fall 2023 Commencement
Saturday, December 16 at 4:30 p.m.; Bryce Jordan Center
More information
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 please email gradschoolcommencement@psu.edu at least two weeks prior to commencement to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.
Reserved seat tickets will not be needed, but guests with disabilities should arrive early to avoid the last-minute rush. Inside the Founders Lounge entrance, ushers will be available to assist in taking individuals via elevator to the appropriate seating located on the concourse level. Guest Relations Representatives will be available to assist individuals to the appropriate seating. The ADA requires that companion seating be provided immediately adjacent to an accessible seat. However, due to space limitations, only one person may accompany the guest with a disability in the accessible seating area. The chairs in the accessible seating area are plastic, armless portable chairs that allow movement for wheelchairs. Other family members may sit in the general seating located throughout the arena.
Those attending the ceremony will walk across the stage platform while their name is announced by a professional nomenclator, and their digital slide is shown. All graduating students, regardless of attendance at the ceremony, will have a digital slide available (with audio of a professional nomenclator announcing the graduate's name) for viewing on commencement.psu.edu/live/. Those not in attendance will not have their name announced and their slide will not be displayed during the ceremony.
There is no limit on the number of guests, and guest tickets are not required at the fall 2023 ceremony.
You can view the ceremony on the Commencement Live Stream.
Bryce Jordan Center Commencement Parking Interactive Map
General parking will be available in Stadium West and Jordan East. Guests should enter Gates A, B, or C. Degree candidates should enter Gate B, Portal 15. There is no fee for 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.