Commencement Info for Students

Students who have met degree or certificate requirements in the 2024 summer semester, the 2024 fall semester, spring 2025, and summer 2025 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 Wednesday, 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. 

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 accepting requests for extra tickets. If you have any questions please call 716-614-6228. Thank you.

Day of Commencement

2025 Information for Graduating Students

Date of Commencement: Saturday, May 17th

Time: 10:00am

Location:
SUNY Niagara Main Gym
3111 Saunders Settlement Road
Sanborn, NY 14132

Time Graduates Must Arrive: 1 hour prior to ceremony start time

Parking: Graduates and guests for the commencement ceremony can park in Lot 1 on the front of campus closest to Saunders Settlement Road (Route 31). Graduates report to the Arts & Media Theatre in F Building and guests can go directly to the Main Gym. There is no charge for parking.

Wear or bring your cap and gown and tassel
You can’t carry any personal belongs in the Commencement processional line.  (Other than a cell phone) Please do not bring any valuables with you; (Including: purses, backpacks, helmets, bags) there is no place to store them.
Graduates should report directly to the “Students Robing Room” Arts & Media Theatre. You will check in with the graduation staff to receive your name card and determine where to line up for the processional. If you arrive late you will have to march at the end of the procession. At the conclusion of the ceremony, you will follow the marshals in a recessional directly out of the gym into the reception area in Lot 2.

Guests will be allowed in the Main Gym approximately one hour before the ceremony – All guests must have a ticket. General admission seating is on a first come, first serve basis. No guests are permitted in the graduates’ seating area. Commencement protocol does not permit seating of guests during the processional; late arrivals must wait to be seated until the processional ends.

Special Accommodations – Graduates or any family members, relatives, friends or other guests of graduating students who may need special accommodations should contact the Commencement Coordinator BEFORE Commencement (see contact information below) so the proper arrangements can be made. Accessible seating for guests is available and on reserve for guests. It is important to have guests requiring special accommodations check in with one of the ushers inside the doors of the Main Gym 1 hour prior to the ceremony on commencement day so that staff can assist with getting them properly seated. Please note that guests with special needs may only bring ONE companion to sit with them. A sign language interpreter will be present throughout the ceremony.

Watch Commencement Live! Do you have friends/family who want to watch you cross the stage in cap and gown, but are unable to attend the ceremony? They can watch it live via streaming video. Go to the SUNY Niagara website on Commencement Day, Saturday, May 17th and follow the link to watch the ceremonies LIVE! sunyniagara.edu

Flowers will be sold on Commencement Day at the Ceremony – NCCC Foundation volunteers will sell flowers along with graduate necklaces in a tent outside before the ceremony.

Barnes & Noble College Bookstore – The Bookstore will have SUNY Niagara and Niagara Falls Culinary Institute merchandise for sale in a tent outside of H building.

Graduation Celebration- There will be an outdoor graduate celebration immediately following the ceremony in lot 2 at SUNY Niagara featuring picnic style foods and a photo station.

Tickets – Tickets will be available in the bookstore you purchased your cap and gown in from May 6th-May 16th

If you have any questions or have special requests, please contact the Public Relations Office by phone 716-614-5974 or email Jill Faddoul, Commencement Coordinator at jmfaddoul@niagaracc.suny.edu

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.

Graduating students participating the ceremony who are disabled and who seek alternate seating arrangements at the event need to contact Jill Faddoul, Commencement Coordinator at jmfaddoul@niagaracc.suny.edu or 716-614-5974 by May 9, 2025.

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).

View SUNY Niagara Campus Map & Directions.

Directions to SUNY Niagara

From Buffalo via the New York State Thruway

1. Take Route 104 (west) to Route 429 (Townline Road).
2. Turn left (south) onto Route 429.

From Buffalo via Niagara Falls Blvd. (Route 62)

1. Take Niagara Falls Blvd. (Route 62) north to Shawnee Road (Route 425).
2. Turn right (north) onto Route 425.
3. Drive about 6 miles on Route 425.
4. Drive approximately 3 miles to SUNY Niagara (on the left).
5. Turn left (west) onto Route 31.
6. Drive approximately 1.5 miles to SUNY Niagara (on the right).

From Lockport, Rochester, and Other Points East via Route 104 (Ridge Road)

1. Take Route 104 (west) to Route 429 (Townline Road).
2. Turn left (south) onto Route 429.
3. Drive approximately 3 miles to SUNY Niagara (on the left).

From Niagara Falls via Niagara Falls Blvd

1. Take Niagara Falls Blvd. (Route 62) to Ward Road (Route 429).
2. Turn left (north) on Route 429.
3. Turn right (east) onto Route 31. (Witmer Road becomes Saunders Settlement Road. Continue to follow Route 31.)
4. Drive approximately 1/8 mile to SUNY Niagara (on the left).

From Niagara Falls via Hyde Park Blvd. (Route 61)

1. Take Hyde Park Blvd. (Route 61) north to Witmer Road (Route 31).
2. Turn right (east) onto Route 31.
3. Drive approximately 10 miles to SUNY Niagara (on the left).

From North Tonawanda

Drive approximately 1/8 mile to SUNY Niagara (on the left).

Take Ward Road (Route 429) north to Saunders Settlement Road (Route 31).

Turn right (east) onto Route 31.