Commencement

Candidates are expected to wear complete commencement attire, with NO ALTERATIONS TO THE GOWN. Candidates may decorate their caps. Candidates wearing profane messages of any type on the caps and gowns will NOT be permitted to participate in the commencement ceremony.

At commencement, the men will remove their hats for the invocation, benediction and alma mater.

• All bachelor's degree candidates will wear mortarboard caps with tassels on their RIGHT side prior to degrees being conferred. The President will formally confer degrees and will instruct graduates to move the tassel to the left side of the mortarboard cap.

• Master's and doctoral degree candidates will wear their tassels on the LEFT side at all times.

Dignity of Ceremony

You are expected to be robed and conduct yourself in a dignified manner as you participate in this traditional ceremony. Please do not leave your seats or engage in lengthy conversation with others during the ceremony.

In order to allow for a smooth exit of all in attendance, please maintain an orderly pace during the recessional from the Kutztown University O'Pake Fieldhouse.

Students are to report to the Keystone Hall robing area on the day of commencement as follows:

• Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral students should report no later than 9 a.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2024 for the 10 a.m. ceremony.

Please note that the commencement ceremony will begin promptly at the scheduled time. Locate your college robing area by clicking on the link below:  

• link TBD

Once you have robed, you must sign in with the Dean of your college and pick up your index card, which includes your name, designated academic college, and honors, if earned. 

Seating at the ceremony:  If you wish to sit near a friend who is receiving a degree in your discipline, you must line up in front of or in back of that person, not beside him/her. Once the line begins to move, candidates will not be permitted to switch places in the line.

Plan to arrive early to allow plenty of time to find a parking space and walk/take the shuttle to the Fieldhouse for the ceremony. Primary parking areas for the ceremonies are:

• Lots A2, A3, C1, C2, F1, F4, and F6.                                                                                                                                     

Click here to view a map of the campus.

Lots A2 and A3 are the most convenient parking areas in terms of arriving to and leaving campus after commencement. Complimentary shuttles will run continuously on Saturday, May 11 from 7:45 a.m. until 5 p.m. from the A2 lot to the O'Pake Fieldhouse.

Parking closest to the O'Pake Fieldhouse (lot E-1 & E-2) is reserved for patrons with state-issued handicap plates or placards. While there are other lots that are reasonably close to the facility, individuals with mobility issues should plan to arrive early as these spaces are very limited. Alternatively, a drop-off area will be available to families that wish to drop off patrons with mobility issues near the venue. Both of these areas are accessible from Baldy Street.  A state-issued handicap placard does not guarantee guests parking in our reserved parking areas.

It is a good idea to arrange a place to meet your family after the program concludes. South Campus Drive will be closed from Court Lane to Baldy Street after commencement has concluded for pedestrian movement. If you have any questions or concerns about parking for commencement, feel free to contact Public Safety and Police Services at 610-683-4002.

SPECIAL SEATING AND/OR PARKING

Persons with a disability who require special seating should notify commencement staff immediately. 

Please note: All seating is on the fieldhouse floor. There are no bleachers.

Parking closest to the O'Pake Fieldhouse (lot E-1 & lot E-2) is reserved for patrons with state-issued handicap plates or placards. While there are other lots that are reasonably close to the facility, individuals with mobility issues should plan to arrive early as these spaces are very limited. Alternatively, a drop-off area will be available to families that wish to drop off patrons with mobility issues near the venue. Both of these areas are accessible from Baldy Street.  A state-issued handicap placard does not guarantee guests parking in our reserved parking areas.

OTHER SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS

Persons with a disability and who require assisted listening devices, an ASL interpreter, or other special accommodation should notify the Disability Services Office at 610-683-4108 immediately. (TDD number 610-683-4499). It is recommended that requests be submitted as early as possible but at least two weeks prior to the ceremony to ensure the availability of accommodations needed.

Most guests attending commencement are seated in the general seating area. Special seating in the Kutztown University O'Pake Fieldhouse is available for guests with special needs. Seating in this area is by reservation only. Please have someone capable of assisting you from your parking area to the O'Pake Fieldhouse.  You may view the Fieldhouse map for an arrangement of the seating areas.

Ushers assigned to the Accessible Seating area are not trained to assist you with your disability. Please make sure that you have someone with you who is capable of handling your special need.

Seating in this area is by reservation only. Please contact commencement staff to make your reservation as soon as possible.

Wheelchairs are available during the ceremony for emergencies, with limited availability to transport guests from the Fieldhouse entrance to their seats. An area will be provided in the Fieldhouse to store personal wheelchairs that are not in use during the ceremony.

Students will cross the stage at the commencement ceremony to receive a diploma cover only, not their actual diploma. Given the time limitations associated with commencement, the actual awarding of a degree by the University in all cases is subject to verification by the Registrar that all requirements for your degree have been satisfied.  Since verification cannot be accomplished until after commencement, exercises are to be considered as ceremonial only. The honors listing for undergraduate students in the commencement program is based on the previous semester's GPA.  The University will notify graduates when diplomas become available.

In order to provide the best opportunity for a quality photograph to document the occasion, a professional photographer from Legacy Photographics will be on stage during the commencement ceremony to take a picture of each graduate with President Hawkinson as he/she/they receives the diploma cover. 

Not only will graduating students have the best possible photograph of their accomplishment, their guests will be able to remain seated without worrying about getting close to the stage to "capture the moment."

Legacy Photographics will take photographs of each graduate as they shake hands with the dignitary and as they exit the stage.  There is no obligation to purchase pictures and each graduate will receive an email proof within 48 hours of the ceremony. For more information visit www.legacyphoto.com.

From the Reading Area:

From Route 222 North, take the Kutztown exit, pass the Airport Diner and make a right onto South Campus Drive. Parking will be available in lots C1, C2, E2, F1, F4, and F6.  Another option would be to continue past South Campus drive and turn left at the second light onto College Boulevard.  Proceed to lots A1 and A2, where guests take the shuttle bus from lot A2 to the O'Pake Fieldhouse. View a map of campus.

From the Allentown Area:

From Route 222 South, take the Kutztown exit; this ramp will lead you onto Main Street. Take Main Street the entire way through town until you come to the light at the top of the hill. Make a left onto Normal Avenue and a right into lot F1. Another option is to turn right off of Main Street onto College Boulevard and park in lots A1 and A2, where guests can take the shuttle bus from lot A2 to the O'Pake Fieldhouse. View a map of campus. 

From Interstate 78:

Take exit 54A onto Route 222 South. Continue on South 222 for 13 miles. Take the Kutztown exit (where freeway begins). Follow the directions for "From the Allentown Area" above.