SUNY Niagara Commencement 2025

Students who have met degree or certificate requirements in the 2024 summer semester, the 2024 fall semester, 2025 spring semester, and 2025 summer semesters are eligible to participate in the ceremony.

Caps and gowns can be purchased at the NFCI Bookstores and at the Sanborn Bookstore through May 2, 2025. The cost to purchase the regalia set (for both Associates degree and a Certificate) which includes the gown, cap, and tassel is $44.98. NFCI students must pay for and pick up their caps and gowns at the NFCI Bookstore. (Same dates apply.) Student ID is required.

The deadline to purchase caps and gowns is Friday, May 2, 2025.

For more information, call the Barnes & Noble Bookstore (Sanborn) at 716-614-6840 or Barnes & Noble at Culinary Institute Niagara Falls at 716-210-2591.

Will I Be Allowed to Bring My Own Cap and Gown?

Unfortunately no, you will not be permitted to bring your own cap and gown. The SUNY Niagara Commencement Ceremony is the official public recognition of the hard earned academic achievements of those graduating. It is a one-time event symbolizing and celebrating these achievements. As an academic ceremony, academic regalia is required. Allowing attire of different styles and colors, some of which may not be in proper condition, would detract from what is a uniquely dignified and highly significant event. This policy prevents inappropriate attire worn by a few to detract from the overall dignity of the ceremony.

Based on the number of graduates and the maximum occupancy limits of the venue; students who pay for their cap and gown by the May 2 deadline will receive 2 tickets to ceremony. Individuals who purchase a cap and gown after this date are not guaranteed tickets for commencement in the Main Gym. 

Ticket Pick-Up

Students who have filed for graduation and have purchased a cap and gown can pick up their 2 (two) guest tickets at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore between May 6^th-16^th  (The location where you purchased your cap & gown: Sanborn or NFCI)

Children Require Tickets

Building capacity is based on individuals. All guests entering the Main Gym must present a guest ticket, including babies and children, even if they will sit on adult laps. Also, the chairs identified as being “reserved” are for the graduates only, family members or friends can not process with or sit with the graduates during the ceremony. Strollers will not be permitted within the Main Gym.

Extra Tickets

At this time we are no longer taking extra ticket requests. Those who have asked for extra tickets prior will be notified after May 8th. 

Guest Tickets

Building capacity is based on individuals. All guests entering the SUNY Niagara Main Gym must present a guest ticket, including babies and children, even if they will sit on adult laps. Also, the chairs identified as being “reserved” are for the graduates only, family members or friends cannot process with or sit with the graduates during the ceremony. Strollers will not be permitted within the Gymnasium.

Date

Saturday, May 17

Time

10:00 a.m.

Extra Tickets

Graduating students can request one or two extra tickets by completing the “Request Extra Tickets” form online. Please note: the college cannot guarantee the availability of extra tickets. Extra Ticket Form

What to Wear and Bring

• Wear or bring your graduation cap, gown, and tassel.
• You may carry a phone in the processional, but no other items.
• Do not bring backpacks, helmets, bags, purses, or other valuables. The college cannot store these items securely.

When to Arrive

Arrive by 9:00 a.m. to get ready for the ceremony starting at 10:00 a.m.

Where to Park

Graduating students and guests should park in Lot 1, located at the front of campus closest to Saunders Settlement Rd. (Route 31).
Parking is free.

Where You Should Go

Upon arrival, check in with the commencement staff stationed outside the theatre.
You will receive your name card and be directed where to line up for the processional.
The theatre will serve as your robing room.
When the ceremony begins, ushers will guide students in a processional from the theatre through the hallway and into the Main Gym, where the ceremony takes place.

If You Arrive Late

Late arrivals will be placed at the end of the processional.

Where Your Guests Go

Guests may enter the Main Gym about one hour before the ceremony.

• All guests must have a ticket
• Seating is first-come, first-served
• Guests may not sit in the graduating students’ seating area, which will be clearly marked
• Guests arriving during the processional must wait until it concludes before entering

Special Accommodations

If you or your guests require special accommodations, please contact the commencement coordinator by May 9.

• Accessible seating is reserved
• Guests with accommodations may bring one companion
• Arrive one hour prior and check in with an usher in the Main Gym
• A sign language interpreter will sign throughout the ceremony

Photography

Professional photographers will take photos of each graduating student during the ceremony.
Photos will be available at www.gradimages.com.
For support:

• Call: 800-261-2576
• Email: giservice@gradimages.net
• Pre-register to receive 20% off any order over $50. Grad Images Pre-Registration Link

Commencement Livestream

The ceremony will be livestreamed for those unable to attend:
Visit: https://sunyniagara.edu

Flowers and Merchandise

• Flowers will be sold outside H Building by Alumni Association volunteers
• Merchandise from SUNY Niagara and Niagara Falls Culinary Institute will be available:
  • In a tent outside H Building
  • In Lot 1 during the post-ceremony reception

Reception After the Ceremony

The ceremony concludes with a recessional led by marshals from the gym to the reception area outside the Learning Commons.
All attendees are invited to the reception.

Contact

Congratulations!

Have a wonderful Commencement Day!

Members of Phi Theta Kappa and Alpha Beta Gamma should contact the club advisers to confirm your contact information is up to date before May 2, 2025 to ensure the PTK and ABG designation will be listed in the program book. Club advisers can also answer questions regarding wearing honors regalia for the ceremony.

Commencement seating in the SUNY Niagara Main Gym is general admission. Special needs includes visual and hearing impaired guests. Accommodations are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please plan to arrive early in order to secure special needs seating. Only one family member (or attendant) will be permitted to accompany the person in the Special Needs seating section, the rest must sit in general seating.

At the Commencement Ceremony, you will receive a Diploma Cover only.

We are teaming with Parchment to offer an official digital version of your diploma. It’s fast, free, and sharable. Celebrate your accomplishment with those who supported you along the way — your family, friends, and colleagues. Share with potential employers to kick-start the next step in your journey or career.  The digital diploma will be emailed to you but does not replace the paper diploma.  A paper diploma will be mailed to the graduate’s address on file approximately 3 weeks after the digital diplomas are issued.  Graduates should expect email and text notification to claim their diploma mid-June. 

Any student who does not apply for graduation will have his/her degree or certificate automatically awarded upon successful completion of graduation requirements.

However, filing the online graduation application is preferred to automatic conferral, as it confirms the degree or certificate that a student is seeking; once a degree or certificate is conferred, it cannot be revoked without the approval of the president of the college.  The graduation application also collects other important information, including the name a student wishes to have displayed on the diploma (which might differ from a student’s legal name), updated address information, and whether a student wishes to participate in commencement.

Students who have completed graduation requirements but do not wish to have a degree automatically conferred must contact the Registration and Records office prior to the end of the semester to prevent issuance of the degree and/or certificate.

No Smoking

There will be NO SMOKING on campus.  SUNY Niagara is a tobacco-free environment.

Parking

Guests for the Commencement ceremony can park in Lot 1, located directly in front of the Arts & Media Theatre (Building F).

Small Children

The littles that you brought with you to help celebrate the SUNY Niagara graduate in your life might need a “time out.”

Stop into H102 (front classroom) which will be set up for our smaller friends with videos of Miss Rachel, coloring supplies, stickers of our mascot TRIPP,  and even a changing area.  Two minutes to recharge in this room will help them enjoy the day as well.