What happens at the ceremony? What do I do?
Student Checklist
- Students need to submit an audio file with the correct pronunciation of their name as they wish it to be announced at the Commencement Ceremony. Use a mobile app such as Voice Memo on an iPhone. The file must be in one of the following formats: MPC; M4A; WAV; or CAF.
MAKE SURE YOU SUBMIT YOUR NAME PRONUNCIATION BY MARCH 31.
Click here to submit your name pronunciation. - Meet with the Registrar for your audit during the fall/winter term.
- Order your cap and gown. An email will be sent to each senior by the Campus Store by the end of April. The email will contain a link for you to order your cap and gown. If you need assistance, please contact Mark Yetman, Campus Store Manager.
- Plan for moving out of your residence hall by 6:00pm on Sunday, June 16, 2024.
June 13, 2024
Hello Seniors!
The 230th Commencement Exercises of Union College are just four days away on Sunday, June 16, 2024!
If you are planning to participate, I wanted to make you are aware that comprehensive information regarding Commencement weekend can be found at www.union.edu/commencement. I especially encourage you to review the student-focused specifics, including a video of what to expect (and some funny out-takes), here.
Commencement Exercises will be held outside 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. Please be sure to assemble for lineup on South Terrace Lane no later than 8:30 a.m. The faculty and student marshals will help each of you find your place in line. The arrangement of the graduates will be in alphabetical order. It is imperative that you arrive on time so that alphabetical order can be properly arranged. You will be given a card that has your name and seat number printed on it. DO NOT LOSE THIS CARD. You will bring it with you when you cross the stage to receive your diploma case and shake President Harris’s hand.
After you receive your diploma case, you will return to your seat and remain seated during the rest of the ceremony. At the conclusion of the ceremony, graduates will exit the west door of the Nott onto Rugby Field, in doing so passing through the ranks of faculty, who will be the first to congratulate you and your class, the newest members of the alumni body.
On Rugby Field, there will be signed tables for academic departments and programs, as well as student affairs and athletics. There will be a map of the set-up in the Commencement program. Head to your tables of choice to have a chance to socialize and celebrate informally with your family, classmates, and the faculty and staff who have been meaningful in your time at Union.
Please note that you will not receive your diploma on Sunday -- digital and hard-copy diplomas will be sent to you after Commencement.
No alcoholic beverages may be brought to the ceremony, or to the areas in which students line up.
In order to ensure that you will have a lasting memory of this occasion, Grad Images will take three individual pictures of you: before you step up to the stage, as you receive your diploma case from President Harris, and after you leave the Library Porch before you walk down the Lippman Hall Colonnade. Approximately two weeks after the Commencement, Grad Images will send you a selection of the proofs so you may purchase photographs. (You are not obligated to do so!).
Finally, the Baccalaureate Commemoration will take place at on Saturday, June 15th at 4:00 p.m. in Memorial Chapel. This is a ceremony for the graduating seniors and their guests, with senior class speakers, a faculty speaker, student performances, and an address from President Harris.
I look forward to seeing you on Commencement Weekend and to celebrating with you.
Sincerely,
Dean Angrist
PS: If you haven't already sent me a voice file of your name pronunciation - there's still time. Just reply to me at this email address and attach it!
Michele Angrist (she/her/hers)
Stephen J. and Diane K. Ciesinski Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Feigenbaum Hall
Union College
807 Union Street
Schenectady, NY 12308
518.388.6102
Senior Portraits
iSmile Studios is offering Senior Portraits sessions on campus at various times during the remainder of the academic year. They are offering Senior Portraits sessions (No Fee) as well as Friend Portrait Sessions for group photos ($100 session fee).
AVAILABLE DATES:
April 11, 12, 13
May 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, and 31
They will also offer a Pop-In session on March 8th during the 100 Days to Commencement Celebration!
100 Days Until Graduation!
100 Days to Graduation is being held Friday, March 8th, from 4-6 pm in the Nott Memorial. This is an opportunity for seniors to get all of their questions answered and collect all the information they need for graduation in one location. It is also the official kickoff to commencement season!
Dean's Letter to the Graduates
Dear Graduating Seniors,
Commencement – on Sunday June 16th, at 10:00 a.m. -- is just around the corner!
The ceremony is designed to create a meaningful and exciting experience for you and your family. Since there is no rehearsal, I want to take this opportunity to outline some aspects of the ceremony that you should understand in advance.
- Commencement will be held outside in the event of dry weather or light rain. Please arrive on South Terrace Lane (between Sorum and Fox) in your cap and gown no later than 8:30 a.m. Faculty and student marshals will help each of you find your place in line. (Marshals will assist you with logistics throughout the ceremony as well.)
- Cap tassles are worn on the right side of your cap at the start of the event. Toward the end of the ceremony, you will be instructed to flip it to the left side of your cap.
- No alcoholic beverages may be brought to the lineup area or the ceremony.
- We will provide light breakfast fare in the lineup area.
- You will be given a card indicating your place in line. Please hold onto your lineup card throughout the procession and as you are called to cross the stage to receive your diploma case.
- There will be water underneath your seat during the ceremony.
- Grad Images will take three individual pictures of you: the first before you step up to the stage; the second as you receive your diploma case from President Harris, and the third a close-up before you walk down the Lippman Hall Colonnade. Approximately two weeks after Commencement, Grad Images will send you a selection of the proofs so that you may purchase photographs (though there is no obligation to do so).
- For your comfort, consider wearing comfortable shoes and light clothing (under your gown) so that you don’t overheat.
- If you need to use the restroom during the ceremony, you may do so in Karp Hall.
- After the ceremony, you will process out of the Nott Memorial toward Rugby Field, through the faculty.
- In the event of sustained, drenching rain or severe weather, the ceremony will be held in Memorial Field House. You may check the Commencement website on Sunday morning to confirm if the ceremony will move indoors. If it does, there will be no marching. Please go straight to the seating area reserved for graduates no later than 9:15 a.m. Look for your seats in alphabetical order and be seated. Due to limited indoor seating capacity, each student will be issued four rain tickets. These will be sent to your campus mailboxes. Other rooms will be made available in which to watch the ceremony on large screens.
- You will not receive your physical diploma at the Commencement ceremony. After Commencement and 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.
- The Baccalaureate Commemoration will take place at on Saturday, June 15th at 4:00 p.m. in Memorial Chapel. This is a ceremony for the graduating seniors and their guests, with senior class speakers, a faculty speaker, student musical performances, and an address to graduates by President David R. Harris.
I look forward to seeing you on Commencement Weekend and to celebrating with you.
Sincerely yours,
Dean Michele Angrist