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 14, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and ending approximately at noon. The Syracuse University Chancellor and President ceremoniously confers degrees at Commencement.

Convocations and Commencement Weekend Event Schedule

Please note, ceremony Livestreams will begin casting 15-20 minutes prior to event start time.

Thursday, May 11, 2023

Ceremonies Start Time Location
Commencement Rehearsal 12:00 PM JMA Wireless Dome
Senior Celebration 1:00 - 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
Livestream
6:00 PM Hendricks Chapel
College of Professional Studies Reception 7:00 PM Tent A on the Quad

Friday, May 12, 2023

Ceremonies 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)
Livestream
10:00 AM Hendricks Chapel
POSSE Scholars Celebration 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Schine 304ABC
Joint ROTC Commissioning Celebration 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM K.G. Tan Auditorium, NVRC
Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs Reception (Master’s and Doctoral Degree Candidates) 11:30 AM Maxwell Hall Patio, Maxwell Hall Foyer and Lincoln Courtyard
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) 12:30 PM Hendricks Chapel
Army ROTC Reception 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Grand Hall, NVRC
Air Force Commissioning 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM K.G. Tan Auditorium, NVRC
Center for Academic Achievement & Student Development (CSTEP, HEOP, LSAMP, McNair, SSS) Reception 2:00 PM Tent D on the Quad
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
Livestream
3:00 PM Hendricks Chapel
Renée Crown University Honors Program Reception 5:00 PM Tent A on the Quad
Graduate School (Doctoral Hooding) Ceremony
Livestream
5:00 PM Goldstein Auditorium, Schine Student Center
Graduate School (Doctoral Hooding) Reception 6:00 PM Panasci Lounge, Schine Student Center
Itanwa Orinwa
Livestream
6:00 - 8:00 PM Lally Athletics Complex

Saturday, May 13, 2023

Ceremonies 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)
Livestream

8:30 AM JMA Wireless Dome
School of Architecture Convocation (Bachelor's and Master's Degree Candidates)
Livestream
10:00 AM Hendricks Chapel
School of Information Studies Convocation (Bachelor's Degree Candidates)
Livestream
10:00 AM Goldstein Auditorium, Schine Student Center
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

 

 

Lincoln Quad

College of Engineering and Computer Science Convocation
Livestream
10:30 AM Lally Athletics Complex
School of Information Studies Reception (Bachelor's Degree Candidates) 11:15 AM Panasci Lounge, Schine Student Center
School of Architecture Reception (Bachelor's and Master's Degree Candidates) 11:30 AM Slocum Hall Atrium
College of Engineering and Computer Science Reception 12:30 PM Tent at Lally
S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications Convocation
Livestream
12:30 PM JMA Wireless Dome
School of Information Studies Convocation (Master's and Doctoral Degree Candidates)
Livestream
1:00 PM Goldstein Auditorium, Schine Student Center
Martin J. Whitman School of Management Reception 1:00 PM Whitman School of Management (Flaum Grand Hall)
College of Arts and Sciences Convocation (Master's Degree Candidates)
Livestream
2:00 PM Hendricks Chapel
School of Information Studies Reception (Master's and Doctoral Degree Candidates) 2:20 PM Panasci Lounge, Schine Student Center
S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications Reception 2:30 PM All Tents on the Quad
College of Arts and Sciences Reception (Master's Degree Candidates) 3:00 PM Strasser Commons, Eggers Hall, 2nd Floor
School of Education Convocation
Livestream
3:30 PM Goldstein Auditorium, Schine Student Center
Martin J. Whitman School of Management Convocation
Livestream
4:00 PM JMA Wireless Dome
College of Visual and Performing Arts (Masters Hooding Ceremony)
Livestream
4:30 PM Hendricks Chapel
School of Education Reception 4:45 PM Panasci Lounge, Schine Student Center
David B. Falk College of Sport & Human Dynamics Convocation
Livestream
5:30 PM Lally Athletics Complex
David B. Falk College of Sport & Human Dynamics Reception 7:15 PM Tent at Lally
College of Visual and Performing Arts Convocation (Bachelor's and Master's Degree Candidates)
Livestream
7:30 PM JMA Wireless Dome
College of Visual and Performing Arts Reception 9:00 PM JMA Wireless Dome

 

Sunday, May 14, 2023

Ceremonies Start Time Location
Commencement of Syracuse University
Livestream
9:30 AM JMA Wireless Dome
Multicultural Graduation Reception 12:00 PM Goldstein Auditorium, Schine Student Center

Ceremonies (prior to Commencement Weekend)

Thursday, May 4, 2023

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

Friday, May 5, 2023

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

Sunday, May 7, 2023

Ceremonies Start Time Location
Blessing of Students at Hendricks Chapel 4:00 PM Hendricks Chapel

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.