Spring 2026 Commencement
Navigate to your ceremony:
Undergraduate commencement information »
Graduate commencement information »
Graduating from a Commonwealth Campus?
To learn details about your campus-specific commencement, please visit: commencement.psu.edu/campuses.
Undergraduate Commencement
The Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing’s Undergraduate Commencement ceremony is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. (ET) on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Eisenhower Auditorium at the University Park campus.
Reception
You and your families are invited to attend the College’s Graduation Reception to celebrate your tremendous achievement. You will be joined by faculty and staff, and have an opportunity to meet other alumni. We will have food and refreshments. Please register by Friday, May 1, 2026.
Details:
2026 Graduation Reception
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Alumni Hall, HUB Robeson Center
1:30–3:15 p.m.
Registration link to come.
Group Photo
3:30 p.m., in front of Old Main.
A group photo will be taken prior to commencement in front of Old Main. Students must arrive at Old Main by 3:30 p.m. Following the photo, the group will proceed to Eisenhower Auditorium for check-in.
Check-in
All students participating in the commencement ceremony must report to the main lobby of the Eisenhower Auditorium NO LATER THAN 4:15 p.m.
Upon check-in, you will receive your nomenclator card. Please do not make changes to the card. If there is not a card for you at check-in, you will be directed to a different check-in line where you will need to provide information to a staff member and receive a “gold card”. Your card will be collected as you enter the stage and the nomenclator will announce your name as it is broadcasted on the screens. You will walk across the stage but no hand shaking.
Pinning
Dr. Raymonde Brown, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs, and Mark Crider, President of the College of Nursing Alumni Society Board, will be waiting at the opposite side of the stage to present you with your nursing pin. Once you receive your pin, you will move off stage to have your photo taken. Staff will be on site to assist you.
Ceremony
The processional will begin promptly at 4:30 p.m. Your diploma will be mailed to the permanent address that you have on file with the University. Penn State encourages graduates with disabilities to participate in its commencement ceremonies. Please visit commencement.psu.edu for more information.
Parking
Free parking will be available in Eisenhower Parking Deck, directly behind Eisenhower Auditorium. For more information, please refer to the Eisenhower Auditorium Commencement Parking Information flyer or the Campus Map for more information. HUB parking fee is $1/hour at the HUB deck. See other options: PSU – University Park.
Important venue information
Eisenhower Auditorium
In line with the best practices at all University Park commencement locations, Eisenhower Auditorium will utilize walk-through metal detectors for commencements at its entrances and restrictions on the size and type of bag that may be carried into the venue for commencement.
Permitted Bags at the Eisenhower Auditorium
- Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12”.
- One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar).
- Small clutch bags, with or without a handle or strap, that do not exceed 4.5” x 6.5” x 1″.
An exception will be made for medically necessary items that cannot fit into a clear bag, after proper inspection. No backpacks allowed.
Guests will be asked to return non-approved bags or other prohibited items to their vehicle prior to venue entry. There is no check-in location for prohibited bags or items at Eisenhower Auditorium.
Each bag will be inspected and tagged. Limit one bag per guest.
All media representatives with necessary bags and equipment will be checked prior to entry (at the walk-through metal detectors).
Arrival and entrance for friends and families
All guests will enter through the front doors of Eisenhower Auditorium. Guests who require assistance or accommodations should seek out a Guest Services Representative or visit the Guest Services Kiosk to the right side of the lobby.
Accessibility
Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. Information about commencement is available in alternative media on request.
For more information visit: https://commencement.psu.edu/accessibility/
Questions
For additional general information and current COVID-19 requirements, please visit commencement.psu.edu.
GRADUATE COMMENCEMENT
The Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing’s Graduate Commencement ceremony is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, May 10, 2026. Master’s Degree Commencement will be held at the Bryce Jordan Center and Doctoral Degree Commencement will be held at the Pegula Ice Arena — both at the University Park campus.
Luncheon Reception
You and your families are invited to attend the Graduate Program’s Graduation Reception to celebrate your tremendous achievement. You will be joined by faculty and staff. We will have food and refreshments. Please register via the link below by Friday, April 24, 2026.
Details
2026 Graduate Program Graduation Reception
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Heritage Hall, HUB Robeson Center
1:00–3:00 p.m.
RSVP to the Graduate Program Graduation Reception here »
A group photo will directly follow the reception. Please bring your regalia to the reception.
Group Photo
The group photo will be taken at 3:00 p.m. on the steps of Old Main (Rain Date Location: steps inside of HUB). You should bring your regalia to the reception. We will have a coat rack available for you to use. The group will walk to Old Main at 3:00 p.m. dressed in their regalia. Following the photo, students may depart in preparation for the commencement ceremony.
Ceremony
All graduating students should check in at their commencement location no later than 4:00 p.m. (recommended at least 1 hour prior) to the 5:00 p.m. ceremony start time.
Master’s Candidates
Check in at the Bryce Jordan Center no later than 4:00 p.m. Enter Gate B; then enter the event floor via Portal 15. Please wear your academic regalia, including hood. After you check-in and pick up your name card, master’s candidates will join other graduates by college in the main arena.
Follow the steps below after you arrive at commencement:
- Pick up your commencement card. If you aren’t able to pick up your card in advance, we will have it waiting for you at the commencement ceremony. Pick up days and times in advance of the ceremony will be announced at a later day.
- Fill out your commencement card. On the back of the card, write your contact information if you would like to be notified when commencement photos are available.
- Find your seat. Graduates will be seated with the college or campus that is the curricular home for their program. Your seating area will be listed on your commencement card.
Degree Conferral
University Marshals will direct the movement to the stage. Candidates give the card with their name and program on it to the staff as the graduate approaches the platform stage. Each candidate will be announced by name and program as they move across the stage platform. The process moves quickly, allowing no time for conversation. University Marshals will direct graduates back to their seats.
Doctoral Candidates
When to Arrive: 4:00 p.m.
What to Wear: Please wear your academic regalia. The hood will be carried over the left arm, and hooding will take place on stage during the ceremony.
Where to Go: Gate C of Pegula Ice Arena. You will be directed from there to the community ice rink, where you will pick up your commencement card. After you have your card, look for your college’s sign and line up there. Doctoral candidates and their faculty escorts will be paired for the processional and will be seated together. Doctoral candidates who do not have a faculty escort should inform the University Marshal at check-in.
Hooding on Stage: At commencement, doctoral students are hooded on stage by a faculty escort. To make the process as seamless as possible, follow these instructions:
- When directed by University Marshals, candidates and their escorts will go to the stage.
- Students will give their commencement card to the staff.
- As each candidate is announced by name and program, they will walk across the stage accompanied by their faculty escort. The escort will step onto a wooden platform to perform the hooding.
- After the hooding, both the faculty escort and the graduate will continue across the stage. Faculty will then be guided to their designated seats, while graduates will be directed to the photography area.
For more information, please visit the Graduate School Commencement page.
Parking
Reception
Visitors may park in the HUB Parking Deck for a nominal fee. Other on campus options can be found at this Interactive PSU – University Park Map.
Ceremony
General parking will be available in Stadium West and Jordan East. View the Bryce Jordan Center commencement Parking Interactive Map. Guests of the master’s ceremony should enter Gates A, B, or C.
ADA Parking
Parking for guests with disabilities is available. Parking attendants will be on duty to guide guests to the appropriate areas. The driver may drop the passenger off at the Founders Lounge entrance and then park the vehicle. A valid, state-issued ADA placard or license plate is required for ADA parking, and there is no fee for parking. For an ADA access map of campus, visit the ADA Access Interactive Map. Parking in these lots is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Bag Policy
In line with the best practices at major entertainment venues, the Bryce Jordan Center utilizes walk-through metal detectors at all entry gates and restrictions on the size and type of bag that may be carried into the arena for all events.
For more information, please visit the Bryce Jordan Center Bag Policy.
Accessibility
Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. Information about commencement is available in alternative media on request.
For more information visit Penn State’s commencement page on accessibility.
Prepare for Commencement
Visit the Fox Graduate School’s preparing for commencement page for additional information on where to go, when to arrive, what to bring, and more.
Register for Commencement in Advance
Graduating students who plan to attend Fox Graduate School commencement must register in advance.
Order your Regalia by March 29th!
Regalia can be ordered at this regalia order page.
For DNP graduates: the “Official Sussex Doctor Package” with the Apricot hood is the correct regalia. Select this Official Sussex Doctor Package link and then select “Nursing” in the Hood Colors and Personalization Section.
Questions
For additional general information, please contact the College of Nursing Graduate Program at gradnursing@psu.edu.
