Commencement Weekend

What is the difference between a Convocation and Commencement?

Syracuse University schools and colleges host celebratory Convocations on the Friday or Saturday before Commencement to individually recognize degree candidates and to present special awards. Convocations are either preceded or followed by receptions, where students and families have the opportunity to mingle with deans and faculty.

Commencement is the all-university ceremony on Sunday, May 12, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and ending approximately at noon. The Syracuse University Chancellor and President ceremoniously confers degrees at Commencement.

Ceremonies & Events Prior to Commencement Weekend

Thursday, May 2, 2024

Event Start Time Location
College of Law Reception 5:00 PM Levy Atrium, Dineen Hall

Friday, May 3, 2024

Event Start Time Location
College of Law Commencement 11:00 AM JMA Wireless Dome

Sunday, May 5, 2024

Event Start Time Location
The Blessing of Students 4:00 PM Hendricks Chapel

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Event Start Time Location
Class of 2024 Launch Party 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Goldstein Auditorium, Schine Student Center

Commencement Weekend Event Schedule

Thursday, May 9, 2024

Ceremony/Reception Start Time Location

Commencement Rehearsal
12:00 PM JMA Wireless Dome
Senior Celebration 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Einhorn Family Walkway
Phi Beta Kappa Initiation Ceremony 4:00 PM Schine 304 ABC
Phi Beta Kappa Initiation Reception 5:00 PM Panasci Lounge, Schine Student Center
College of Professional Studies Convocation 6:00 PM Hendricks Chapel
College of Professional Studies Reception 7:00 PM Tent A on the Quad

Friday, May 10, 2024

Ceremony/Reception Start Time Location
Veteran Commencement Ceremony 8:00 AM K.G. Tan Auditorium, NVRC
Veteran Commencement Reception 9:00 AM Grand Hall, NVRC
Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs Convocation (Master's and Doctoral Degree Candidates) 9:00 AM Hendrick's Chapel
Biology Department Reception (Invite Only) 9:00 AM Atrium, Life Sciences Complex
Biology Department Awards Ceremony (Invite Only) 10:00 AM Atrium, Life Sciences Complex
Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs Reception (Master's and Doctoral Degree Candidates) 10:30 AM Maxwell Hall Patio, Maxwell Hall Foyer and Lincoln Courtyard
Joint ROTC Commissioning Celebration 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM K.G. Tan Auditorium, NVRC
POSSE Scholars Celebration 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Schine 304ABC
Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM K.G. Tan Auditorium, NVRC
BACCALAUREATE Center for Academic Achievement & Student Development (CSTEP, HEOP, LSAMP, McNair, SSS) 12:00 PM Hendricks Chapel
Army ROTC Reception 1:00 PM -2:00 PM Grand Hall, NVRC
Center for Academic Achievement & Student Development (CSTEP, HEOP, LSAMP, McNair, SSS) Reception 1:30 PM Tent D on the Quad
Air Force Commissioning 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM K.G Tan Aud & Parade Field, NVRC
Syracuse University Official Class Ring Ceremony 2:00 PM Panasci Lounge, Schine Student Center
Air Force Reception 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Grand Hall, NVRC
Renée Crown University Honors Program Ceremony 3:00 PM Hendricks Chapel
Kessler Scholars Program Graduation Celebration 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM Lally Athletics Complex
Renée Crown University Honors Program Reception 5:00 PM Tent A on the Quad
Graduate School (Doctoral Hooding) Ceremony 5:00 PM Goldstein Auditorium, Schine Student Center
Graduate School (Doctoral Hooding) Reception 6:00 PM Panasci Lounge, Schine Student Center
Itanwa Orinwa  6:30 PM - 8:30 PM JMA Wireless Dome
Itanwa Orinwa Reception 8:30 PM Tents on the Quad

Saturday, May 11, 2024

Ceremony/Reception Start Time Location
College of Arts and Sciences Convocation (Bachelor's Degree Candidates)

Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs Convocation (Bachelor's Degree Candidates) 
8:30 AM JMA Wireless Dome
College of Engineering and Computer Science Convocation 8:30 AM Lally Athletics Complex
School of Architecture Convocation (Bachelor's and Master's Degree Candidates) 10:00 AM Hendricks Chapel
College of Arts and Sciences Reception (Bachelor's Degree Candidates)

Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs Reception (Bachelor's Degree Candidates)
10:30 AM All Tents on the Quad
School of Architecture Reception (Bachelor's and Master's Degree Candidates) 11:30 AM Slocum Hall Atrium
College of Engineering and Computer Science Reception 10:30 AM Tent at Lally
School of Information Studies Convocation (Bachelor's Degree Candidates) 12:00 PM Goldstein Auditorium, Schine Student Center
S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications Convocation 12:30 PM JMA Wireless Dome
David B. Falk College of Sport & Human Dynamics Convocation 12:30 PM Lally Athletics Complex
Martin J. Whitman School of Management Reception 1:00 PM Whitman School of Management (Flaum Grand Hall)
School of Information Studies Reception (Bachelor's Degree Candidates) 1:30 PM Panasci Lounge, Schine Student Center
College of Arts and Sciences Convocation (Master's Degree Candidates) 2:00 PM Hendricks Chapel
David B. Falk College of Sport & Human Dynamics Reception 2:15 PM Tent at Lally
S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications Reception 2:30 PM All Tents on the Quad
School of Information Studies Convocation (Master's and Doctoral Degree Candidates) 3:00 PM Goldstein Auditorium, Schine Student Center
College of Arts and Sciences Reception (Master's Degree Candidates) 3:00 PM Lincoln Courtyard
Martin J. Whitman School of Management Convocation 4:00 PM JMA Wireless Dome

School of Education Convocation
4:30 PM Lally Athletics Complex
College of Visual and Performing Arts (Masters Hooding Ceremony) 4:30 PM Hendricks Chapel 
School of Information Studies Reception (Master's and Doctoral Degree Candidates) 4:30 PM Panasci Lounge, Schine Student Center

School of Education Reception
5:45 PM Tent at Lally
College of Visual and Performing Arts Convocation (Bachelor's and Master's Degree Candidates) 7:30 PM JMA Wireless Dome
College of Visual and Performing Arts Reception 9:00 PM JMA Wireless Dome

Sunday, May 12, 2024

Ceremony/Reception Start Time Location
Commencement of Syracuse University 9:30 AM JMA Wireless Dome
Multicultural Graduation Reception 12:00 PM Goldstein Auditorium, Schine Student Center
International Student Graduation Reception 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM Center for International Services

Important Security Procedures for Commencement Weekend

As part of an ongoing effort to ensure a safe and enjoyable event, all guests and degree candidates will go through security screening, including metal detection, prior to entering all Convocation and Commencement venues. Please allow additional time for security screening to avoid delay.

As in past years, large bags, backpacks, duffel bags, and large shopping bags will not be allowed and degree candidates and all guests may not bring bags larger than 10″ x 10″ into Convocations or Commencement. All purses, binocular cases, and camera cases will be opened and inspected. There will not be a holding area for items at any venue.

As always, the following items are prohibited:

  • Firearms, explosives, fireworks
  • Air horns, backpacks, balls, balloons, banners, beach balls, coolers, confetti, containers, large purses, duffel bags, laser pointers, noise makers, inflatables, promotional items, shopping bags, large signs
  • Food and beverages may not be brought into ceremony venues, except if for medical reasons or for infants

Service dogs are the only animals permitted inside Commencement Weekend venues.