Commencement Ceremony Details

Find information about tickets, receptions, and more!

Pre-Ceremony Details

Tickets

The Commencement ceremonies will be held in the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Athletic Center Fieldhouse. All graduates were allotted five guest tickets. Graduates also had the opportunity to apply for additional tickets and have been notified if, based on venue capacity, additional tickets were granted.

Please note that each Ceremony is anticipated to last approximately 60-75 minutes. Seating is individual folding chairs on the same level in the fieldhouse (not stadium seating). There is an accessible ramp that leads from Parking Lot I to the main entrance to the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Athletic Center and Fieldhouse. 

Please complete the Commencement Accessibility Request form to notify us if you or your guest(s) have accessibility needs.

Tickets are required to enter the Fieldhouse, however, the ceremonies will also be live-streamed via the Commencement website as well as in the Donald E. Bain Campus Center for additional guests. Guests are welcome to campus to join graduates and guests on campus for photos and the reception immediately following each ceremony. 

Children 4 years old and younger do not need tickets.

Send a Message

Messages will be shared at the graduation ceremonies and on the Fisher website.

Regalia (Caps, Gowns, and Hoods)

Regalia pick up for degree recipients will be:

  • Tuesday, May 6: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Donald E. Bain Campus Center 2nd floor
  • Wednesday, May 7: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Donald E. Bain Campus Center 2nd floor
  • Thursday, May 8: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Donald E. Bain Campus Center 2nd floor
  • Friday, May 9: 1:15 - 5:30 p.m., Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Athletic Center
  • Saturday, May 10: 9:15 a.m. - 2 p.m., Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Athletic Center 

Please have a form of government or school ID with you in order to pick up your regalia package. 

Pickup may be scheduled on a limited basis outside of the times above by emailing commencement@sjf.edu.

Commencement Ceremony Details

Diplomas, Honors, and Awards

Eligible students must apply to graduate, as instructed by the University Registrar. In the spring semester, students who have applied to graduate and have been approved by the Registrar’s Office must register for their ceremony, indicating their intent to attend the ceremony.

At the ceremony, graduates receive a St. John Fisher University diploma cover as they cross the stage and are congratulated by the University and school leadership. Diplomas are mailed to the address submitted when a student applies to graduate.

Honors and awards are listed in the Commencement program. Final honors, based on the final cumulative GPA, are noted on the diploma and transcript. Cords for Latin academic honors are provided to the graduate upon check-in at the ceremony.

  • Summa Cum Laude: with greatest praise awarded for cumulative averages of 3.85 or higher, identified by a gold cord
  • Magna Cum Laude: with great praise awarded for cumulative averages of 3.70 or higher, identified by a Cardinal red cord
  • Cum Laude: with praise awarded for cumulative averages of 3.50 or higher, identified by a white cord

Photographs

Please note that a professional photographer is at each ceremony and captures two photos of every graduate, including a portrait in regalia. Additional details will be provided closer to the ceremonies.

Reception

All graduates and their guests are invited to a light reception in the Donald E. Bain Campus Center immediately following their ceremony.

Senior Gift

Join us by participating in our Senior Class Gift Campaign. Make a gift of $5 or more to an area of the University you feel most passionate about—the area of greatest need, student financial aid, your favorite athletic team, or your School. As a Senior Class Gift donor, you will receive special teal philanthropy cords to wear with pride at graduation. Give to the 2025 Senior Gift Campaign before May 8, 2025.

Are you a student leader who is interested in joining the Senior Gift Campaign Committee? Contact Amanda Glann, director of the Fisher Fund, at aglann@sjf.edu to learn more.