To the Families of Graduating Students:
Union College will hold its 231st Commencement Exercises at the Roger Hull Plaza in front of Schaffer Library on Sunday, June 15, 2025.
We are thrilled to extend our warmest congratulations on the upcoming graduation of your student from Union College. This momentous occasion marks the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance, and we are incredibly proud of all that our graduating class has accomplished.
Graduation is a time for celebration, reflection, and anticipation for the future. It is a testament to the students' commitment to their education, and also a reflection of the support and encouragement they have received from their families. We recognize the vital role you have played in their journey, and we share in your pride and excitement.
Please check this site often; updates will be posted as necessary.
Schedule:
Friday, June 6 – last day of classes
Monday, June 9 - Thursday, June 12 – final exams
Senior Week is June 10-14
Saturday, June 14 – Baccalaureate Celebration 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 15 – Commencement Ceremony 10:00 a.m.
Sunday, June 15 – Students must move out from residence halls and houses by 6:00 p.m.
Baccalaureate Commemoration: Saturday, June 14 at 4:00 p.m. in Memorial Chapel. This is a ceremony that includes senior class speakers, a faculty speaker, an address to seniors from President Harris, and musical performances. No tickets are required.
Commencement Ceremony: Sunday, June 15. The ceremony will be held outside, weather permitting, at the Roger Hull Plaza in front of Schaffer Library, with the academic procession at 9:30 a.m. followed by the ceremony at 10:00 a.m. There will be unlimited outdoor seating as well as seating under two large tents on either side of the Nott Memorial. No tickets are required.
After the Recessional, graduating seniors will go to Rugby Field, just west of the Nott Memorial, to say their good-byes to faculty, staff, and classmates. Please meet your graduate there. This is an ideal opportunity for you to take photographs of students with family members, friends, and their favorite staff and faculty members.
Weather: In case of light rain, the ceremony will still be held outdoors. Guests can remain outdoors in Library Plaza, or they may watch the ceremony indoors at the nearby Reamer Auditorium and Olin Hall (Room 115) on a first-come, first-served basis.
In the event of sustained, drenching rain or severe weather, the ceremony will be held in the Memorial Field House and rain tickets marked “Memorial Field House” will be required. Due to limited indoor seating capacity, each student will be issued four rain tickets. Students will receive these tickets when they pick up their caps & gowns in May. Others may watch the ceremony in Reamer Auditorium and Olin Hall (Room 115). Those who have traveled to the Schenectady area also can elect to remain in their lodgings and enjoy the live stream on their own or hotel devices.
On the morning of Commencement: please visit the Commencement website for updated information regarding weather arrangements.
Live Broadcast: The College will also broadcast the ceremony live, and guests can view it in real time, during good or bad weather. The link for the broadcast will appear on the main commencement web page. The unedited video archive will be posted on the College website for unlimited access.
Parking Information: We regret that parking is not available in close proximity to the ceremony on campus for all guests. Campus safety officers will be stationed at all entrances of the campus to direct cars to on-campus parking on a first-come, first-served basis. If the main campus lots are full, please seek parking spaces at College Park Hall on lower Nott Street and on neighboring streets. Shuttle transportation and golf carts will be available to help transport people from the parking lots to the seating. No reservation is needed. More information is available here.
Accessibility Parking & Seating: A designated seating area will be available for persons with accessibility needs. Accessibility parking is available in the Lamont parking lot for those with an accessibility parking tag. If you don’t have a tag, you may drop guests off in the circle outside Old Chapel and a golf cart will take them to the seating area. No reservation is needed.
Ceremony: To recognize each student individually, we will call graduates’ names in alphabetical order. This will make it easy for all to anticipate the moment at which particular names will be called. I ask that parents and friends refrain from moving up to the platform or otherwise obstructing the flow of the procession to take pictures.
Photos: Grad Images (https://www.gradimages.com/) will take three individual pictures of each graduating senior: first before crossing the stage, second while receiving a diploma case from President Harris, and the last while leaving the stage. Approximately two weeks after Commencement, Grad Images will send a selection of proofs to your student’s union.edu email address so that you may purchase photographs if you wish. In addition, Balfour will be providing graduation announcements and other related products. Allowing these companies to provide you information is intended as a service for graduates and their families. You are under no obligation to purchase their products.
Diplomas: Students do not receive their physical diploma at the Commencement ceremony. After Commencement and final verification that students have fulfilled their degree requirements, students will receive a digital diploma via their union.edu email address. They will then receive their physical diploma via U.S. mail.
Commencement at Union is a joyous occasion. We understand that graduation is a significant milestone for families, and we want to make this a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone. We hope that the commencement ceremony is a memorable and pleasurable celebration for you. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the campus and the activities of the weekend. All of us here at Union look forward to your visit.
Sincerely yours,
Michele Angrist
Stephen J. and Diane K. Ciesinski Dean of the Faculty and
Vice President for Academic Affairs