Undergraduate-Level Commencement Exercises

Be sure to stay up-to-date. Visit the Commencement website often, check your St. John's email account and St. John's Connect for updated information.

1. Review and print the Undergraduate-Level Commencement Exercises 2025 Student Information Book, coming soon.
2. Confirm your eligibility to graduate in May 2025 with your school/college advisor.
3. Order your diploma, starting March 7.
   - Log onto the New University Information System (UIS) via signon.stjohns.edu
   - Go to the Graduation Card
   - Within the Graduation Card - Select Apply for Diploma
4. Register to participate in the Commencement Exercises.
   - An email will be sent to your St. John's email account on March 14
   - You will receive instructions on how to logon to the Tassel site to register for commencement
5. Purchase your keepsake academic attire through the Herff Jones website and visit the Academic Attire page for instructions on how to purchase attire.
6. Remember to complete the Graduating Student Survey and share your opinions! The Office of Institutional Research will email you a personalized link to the survey. 
7. Visit the New University information System (UIS) to:
   - Review your transcript for accuracy of grade changes, transfer credits, etc.
   - Check your account for holds (parking tickets, general fees, etc), and clear all holds with the Bursar's Office
   - Update your home address and contact information
8. Do you have family or guests coming from outside the United States? If they need travel documentation, please visit the Registrar's Office to complete a request form.
9. Register and access  your Mass tickets on the Tassel site.
10. Celebrate your graduation in style! Visit the Keepsake Items page. #SJUGrad
11. Send a congratulatory message to fellow graduates on the Celebrate the Class of 2025 page.

Commencement Mass
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Doors open: 3 p.m.
Mass begins: 4 p.m.
Carnesecca Arena

Family Graduate Celebration: A Toast to the Class of 2025
Saturday, May 17, 2025
5 p.m.
Taffner Field House and Tennis Lawn, Queens Campus

Undergraduate-Level Commencement Exercises
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Seating area opens: 7:30 a.m.
Procession begins: 9:15 a.m. 
Ceremony begins: 10 a.m.
Great Lawn, Queens Campus

Graduates must register to attend and participate in the Undergraduate-Level Commencement Exercises. Students who have been deemed eligible to participate by their respective dean's office may register to attend the Commencement Exercises. To confirm your eligibility status, contact your dean's office.

Graduates will receive communications via their St. John's email with instructions on how to register. 

• Registration begins on Friday, March 14 and ends on Tuesday, April 22.
• Graduates will submit a pronunciation recording and provide the phonetics of their name which will assist in preparing the recording of their name for use as they cross the stage on commencement day. 
• Following registration, graduates will be able to claim their five (5) guest tickets online.
• Registration must be completed for graduates' personalized Stage Pass to be created.

Each student must complete the registration process on the Tassel Site in order to receive their personalized Stage Pass on Commencement Day.

• On Commencement Day, students will check-in at their line-up areas, and receive their Stage Pass.
• As the graduate approaches the stage during the calling of names, their Stage Pass will be scanned.
• The Stage Pass will allow for the pre-recorded name of each graduate to be announced as the graduate walks across the stage. It will also allow for the graduates' name to be displayed on the large viewing screens, as the graduate walks across the stage.
• After the graduate crosses the stage, they are expected to return to their seats for the remainder of the ceremony and to recess out together with their fellow classmates.

All guests are required to present a ticket for entry to the Undergraduate-Level Commencement Exercises on the Great Lawn or Simulcast location. Family and guests should arrive early and be seated by 8:15 a.m. (1 hour prior to the start of the procession) or by 8:45 a.m. the latest.

Seating for guests is based on the order of arrival, and seats cannot be saved. All ticket holders must be present at the time of entry to be seated together. Children under the age of two do not require a ticket, however, they must be seated on an adult's lap.

Each graduate participating in the Commencement Exercises will receive five (5) guest tickets.

Students will be able to assign, print and/or email their allotted five (5) guest tickets from the Tassel Site. Students are required to complete their registration, and provide phonetics for the pronunciation of their pre-recorded name before they can assign their guest tickets. 

Guest tickets will be scanned on the day of the ceremony. Tickets cannot be assigned to more than one individual or be duplicated. Tickets can only be scanned once, for admittance into the ceremony.

Additional tickets are not available. It is recommended that Graduates in need of additional tickets, reach out to fellow Johnnies who may not be utilizing all their tickets.

The Commencement Exercises will also be streamed live for those guests unable to attend the ceremony on our Commencement website.

Graduates must submit an online diploma application in order to receive their diploma. The last day to order your diploma is Friday, May 16.

Instructions for the Online Application for Diploma:

1. Log onto the New University Information System (UIS) via signon.stjohns.edu
2. Go to the Graduation Card
3. Within the Graduation Card - Select Apply for Diploma

Diplomas will be available the week of July 14, dependent upon the date the diploma was ordered. Contact your dean's office for more information.

Diplomas are ordered throughout the spring term, if a student applied late for their diploma, it will not be available at the beginning of diploma distribution. Be sure to call your dean's office beforehand to confirm your diploma is available. Please contact the Registrar's Office for more information regarding the ordering process. 

Family Graduate Celebration: A Toast to the Class of 2025
Saturday, May 17, 2025
5 p.m.
Taffner Field House and Tennis Lawn
Hosted by Student Government, Inc.

As we move on to the next chapter of our lives, it is important that we take a moment to celebrate our accomplishments and those who have helped us throughout our time here at St. John's University. Our celebration will offer a variety of savory small plate fare and refreshments and a surprise guest will offer a congratulatory toast and will welcome us to the St. John's Alumni Association! 

Reply by Friday, May 9, 2025

• Students must register and purchase tickets by completing the online form to attend the event.

Admission and Tickets

• Registration is required.
• Tickets cost $25 each.
• The suggested dress code for this event is business attire.

For more information, please contact Karen Moritz Simons, Director of Parent and Family Connections at simonsk@stjohns.edu.

Yearbook:
Visit Jostens website to build an ad to celebrate your graduate's achievements in this year's yearbook and to purchase the 2025 Yearbook today! 

Senior Portraits:
Senior portraits will be taken on campus. Schedule your appointment today or call 1-800-736-4775 during business hours.

For More Information:
Graduates can contact David Gachigo, 718-390-4190 or via email at gachigod@stjohns.edu.

Graduate Responsibilities:

• Arrive at your assembly location no later than 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 18.
• Wear your academic attire (gown, hood, and cap) to the Commencement Exercises. Your tassel should be on the right side of your cap.
• Wear comfortable footwear and clothing, bring sunscreen and sunglasses.
• If rain is in the forecast, wear appropriate rain gear. NOTE: Umbrellas will not be permitted on stage during the calling of names.
• It is strongly recommended not to bring personal belongings.
• Graduates will be provided water and, if needed, a rain poncho.
• Be sure to pick-up your personalized Stage Pass, available at check-in.
• Follow the line-up, processional and recessional instructions of your academic deans, marshals and event staff.
• Once directed to your row in the graduate seating area, remain standing until the end of the invocation.
• Follow the instructions for the calling of your name as you are asked to walk across the stage. Be sure to bring your Stage Pass with you.
• If you need assistance during the Commencement, please locate your dean, event staff, or a Public Safety Officer.

Assembly and Line-up Locations:

• There is no rehearsal for the Commencement Exercises.
• Each school/college has a designated assembly and line-up location (see below).
• The academic deans will be in the assembly area to check-in graduates, and to distribute their personalized GradPass.
  • St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences:
    Marillac Hall, 2nd Floor
  • The School of Education:
    St. Albert Hall, Basement
  • The Peter J. Tobin College of Business:
    D'Angelo Center, 2nd and 3rd Floors
  • College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences:
    D'Angelo Center, 1st Floor
  • The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies:
    Marillac Hall, 3rd Floor

Student Procession to the Great Lawn

• The academic procession will begin on either side of the Great Lawn at 9:15 a.m.
• Students will enter the seating area through the side aisles of the graduates seating area.
• The program will officially begin as soon as all graduates and faculty have reached their seats and the members of the Platform Party are at their seats.
• The schools and colleges will process in the following order followed by the members of the faculty.

Ceremony Photography and Video

• There will be professional photographers from Grad Images® taking photographs of the graduates on Commencement day.
• A copy of the live streamed video will be available for viewing on the Commencement website following the ceremony.
• Guests will not be able to approach the stage area or graduate seating area prior to the start of the ceremony or for the duration of the ceremony for any reason, including photography and videotaping.

Public Safety

• Please only bring necessary items with you on the day of Commencement. Please visit the Commencement Public Safety Advisory page for a listing of items that are not permitted.

Lost and Found

• The Office of Public Safety will collect and hold any items that are lost or found, during the ceremony. If you need to report or find a lost item, please see a Public Safety Officer.

Inclement Weather Plan

• The Commencement Exercises is held on the Great Lawn, rain or shine.
• If it is raining or rain is in the forecast on Commencement day, graduates and guests should come prepared with the appropriate rain gear. Graduates and guests will receive a poncho, if it is raining; guests are advised to also bring raincoats and something to cover the seat of the lawn chair. Graduates should note that umbrellas will not be permitted on stage.
• If the ceremony is underway and severe weather conditions exist, the ceremony may be abbreviated and the calling of student names and the greeting of deans on stage may be omitted from the program. If the ceremony is abbreviated, graduates and guests should follow instructions as announced. It is advised that graduates prearrange a meeting place with family and guests in case the ceremony is abbreviated.
• If the ceremony cannot be held on the Great Lawn due to extreme or dangerous weather, the ceremony may be cancelled or postponed. No indoor facility on campus can accommodate the graduating class and thousands of guests. Every reasonable effort will be made to hold the ceremony as planned.

Will graduate names be called?

Yes, as an institution, we understand the importance of calling the names of each of our graduates. As part of the ceremony, graduates will scan their Stage Pass prior to crossing the stage allowing for their name to be announced as they walk across the stage and their name and degree to appear on the screens for family and guests to view.

Where can I obtain my Stage Pass?

Student's can obtain their personalized Stage Pass on the day of their ceremony. Students must complete the registration process in order for a Stage Pass to be created. The student's Stage Pass is customized for each student and cannot be shared amongst graduates. It will allow for the graduates name to be announced during the ceremony and their name and degree to appear on the screens as the graduate walks across the stage.

How long is the Commencement Exercise?

Great care has been taken to ensure the ceremony is completed as quickly and smoothly as possible. The ceremony is expected to last approximately 2 1/2 hours. Graduates and guests are asked to please show respect to all graduates and remain until the end of the ceremony and the student recession has ended.

What happens in the event of rain, severe, or extreme weather?

The Undergraduate-Level Commencement Exercises will be held outdoors, on the Great Lawn of the Queens campus, in an uncovered space, rain or shine. 

• If it is raining or rain is in the forecast for the ceremony, graduates and guests should come prepared with the appropriate rain attire. Graduates and guests will receive a poncho if it is raining; guests are advised to also bring raincoats and something to cover their seat. Graduates should note that umbrellas will not be permitted on stage.
• If the ceremony is underway and severe weather conditions exist, the ceremony may be abbreviated and the calling of student names and the greeting of deans on stage may be omitted from the program. If the ceremony is abbreviated, graduates and guests should follow instructions as announced. It is advised that graduates prearrange a meeting place with family and guests in case the ceremony is abbreviated.
• If the ceremony cannot be held on the Great Lawn due to extreme or dangerous weather, the ceremony will be cancelled or postponed. No indoor facility on campus can accommodate the graduating class and thousands of guests. Every reasonable effort will be made to hold the ceremony as planned.

How do I order my diploma?

Eligible students can order diplomas by visiting the New UIS via signon.stjohns.edu, selecting the Graduation Card and then Apply for Diploma. 

When can I expect to receive my diploma?

Diplomas will be available the week of July 14, 2025, dependent upon the date the diploma was ordered. Student's should contact their dean's office for more information. 

Do I need to purchase academic attire to attend the Commencement Exercises?

Yes, wearing academic attire (cap, gown and hood) is both a tradition and a requirement to participate in the Commencement Exercises. For more information regarding purchasing keepsake academic attire, please visit the Academic Attire page.

Does the University provide honor society cords for its graduates?

For more information regarding honor society cords and stoles, and how to receive them, students should contact the honor society's administrator or dean's office.

Please note that the University does not offer cords for Latin Honors (Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude and Magna Cum Laude).

Where can I purchase keepsake items and other stoles for graduation?

Please visit the Keepsake Items page, for information on how to purchase keepsake items for your graduation.

Do guests need tickets to attend the Commencement Exercises?

Yes, guests will need to present and scan their assigned ticket, either electronically or in printed form, upon arrival to the Great Lawn. Please note that once a ticket is scanned, it will not allow for additional scans or entry to the ceremony.

Graduates will be able to claim and assign their guest tickets once they complete their registration to attend the ceremony.

Seating for guests is based on the order of arrival, and seats cannot be saved. All ticket holders must be present at the time of entry to be seated together. Children under the age of two, do not require a ticket, however must be seated on an adult's lap. 

Are tickets required to attend the Commencement Mass?

Yes, the Commencement Mass, on Saturday, May 17, does require tickets for entry. Students can register and access their Mass tickets on the Tassel site.

Will the University livestream the Commencement Mass?

Yes, the Commencement Mass will be streamed live Saturday, May 17, and will be available on the Commencement Website.

Will the Commencement Exercises be streamed live?

Yes, the Undergraduate-Level Commencement Exercises will be streamed live on Sunday, May 18 and will be available on the Commencement Website.

Will a Commemorative Book with graduate names be available to students and family?

Yes, the Digital Commemorative Books with graduate names will be available for graduates and family to view, print and download. The digital format can be found on the Commencement website starting Monday, June 23, 2025. 

Will students and guests receive a program book on the day of the Commencement Exercises?

Graduates will receive a shortened program book at the Commencement Exercises. Guests will receive a QR code to access a digital copy of the program book.

Who do I contact if I have other questions regarding the Commencement Exercises?

If you have questions regarding Commencement planning, please contact the Office of University Events via email at universityevents@stjohns.edu.

If you have questions regarding academic requirements, please contact your dean's office, their contact information can be found by visiting the Important Contacts page.

Graduates and Guests are permitted to park on campus. Due to the large number of guests in attendance, there may be a shortage of parking on campus. Guests and graduates are advised to carpool.

Allow ample time to find parking and if parking on our neighborhood streets, please be sure to follow local NYC parking regulations where applicable.

Visit the Directions and Area Hotels page for directions and for a listing of local area hotels.

View the Queens Campus map.