Commencement

Our 2025 Commencement Recognition Ceremony is Saturday, May 24, 2025 from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m at Newman Arena in Bartels Hall.
Graduates in regalia on Commencement day 2024
Page Contents

Student Preparations

All students participating in the Commencement Ceremony are required to wear their cap and gown.

Ceremony Logistics

  • Student Arrival

    1. Students should plan on arriving 45 minutes prior to the start time of the ceremony, no later than 9 a.m.
    2. Upon arriving, all students should report to a table in the atrium outside of Newman Arena in Bartels Hall, where they will be given a card with their name and their numbered place in the procession order.
    3. Students will be expected to keep this card until they reach the stage.
    4. Ph.D. students will be required to leave their hoods at the table.

     

  • Lining Up for the Ceremony

    Students will then be directed to where they will line up for the ceremony according to their numbered place and seated by a staff volunteer prior to the beginning of the ceremony.

    At the beginning of the ceremony, the department chair, Professor Alyssa Apsel, will welcome and address the audience. After this introduction, a staff volunteer will coordinate guiding groups of students from their chairs to the stage.

  • Student Processional

    1. When it is each student’s turn, they will approach the faculty member who will be reading their name and present their card. Be sure to provide the correct pronunciation of your name.
    2. The faculty member will read the student’s name and the student will proceed to the center of the stage from stage right.
    3. At center stage, the student will pause to shake hands and take a photo with Professor Apsel.
    4. Ph.D. students will have a brief hooding ceremony where the student’s advisor will place the hood over the student’s shoulders, and the photographer will take a picture of the student along with their advisor and Professor Apsel.
    5. After their photo is taken, the student will proceed to the stairs located at stage left; the photographer will take a second picture of each student before they exit the stairs.
    6. After each student exits the stage, they should return to their seat until the completion of the ceremony.

Guests and Live Streaming

We are very pleased to note that no tickets will be required for guests. Newman Arena in Bartels Hall can accommodate up to 3,000 seats. Additionally, our ceremony will be live streamed for guests who are unable to attend in person.

Ceremony Location

Newman Arena in Bartels Hall is located at 554 Campus Road, Ithaca, NY 14853. Please refer to Cornell University: Office of Commencement Events regarding your best options for parking on campus.

Photography

Photos of each graduating student who participates in the Cornell Electrical and Computer Engineering Recognition Ceremony will be taken by Grad Images, a professional photographer.

We will provide the photographer with each student’s contact information following the ceremony, which is pulled from their Commencement Recognition Ceremony Participation Form online submission. Students will be contacted directly via email regarding ordering prints.

Family members and guests are encouraged to take pictures and/or video during the ceremonies, but we would ask that you please remain in your seats and be mindful of others so that everyone can enjoy the experience.

Refreshments

Following the completion of the ceremony, light refreshments will be available for graduates and their guests.

Cornell University Commencement

In addition to the Cornell Electrical and Computer Engineering Commencement, Cornell is hosting a university-wide Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 24 at 2:30 p.m. in Schoelkopf Stadium for all Cornell Engineering students. lease refer to Cornell University: Office of Commencement Events for additional information.

Joe Skovira with a student in graduation regalia at the 2024 commencement.

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