Commencement

The information here pertains to graduation ceremonies for Penn State Harrisburg only. If you plan to graduate from another location, please visit your campus web site for more information.

Preparing for Commencement in three easy steps

Step oneFile your "Intent to graduate" on eLion

During the Intent to Graduate Activation period at the beginning of the semester in which you plan to graduate, use eLion's "Graduating this Semester" application. If you miss this activation deadline, you must contact the office of your major to request changes to your graduation status.

Step twoRegister to attend the commencement ceremony

Register online to let us know you plan to participate in the commencement ceremony. Registration deadlines are April 15 (spring) or November 15 (summer/fall), with the RSVP system opening about 30 days before these dates.

Be sure to register so that we will expect you at the ceremony and seating will be reserved for you.

Step threePurchase or rent Academic Regalia (caps and gowns) for the ceremony

Purchase or rent your regalia before the ceremony. No caps, gowns, or hoods will be available at the Giant Center. 

Important notes about filing your intent to graduate

  • Please review the Graduation Requirements policy to ensure your eligibility to attend commencement.
  • Programs that contain a list of graduating students are distributed at the ceremony. If your intent to graduate is activated after the student information has been sent to the printer, your name will not appear in the program.
  • Your correct home and local addresses are needed for pertinent graduation information, including diplomas. Confirm and/or update your address on eLion at this time.

Graduation Fair: have your questions answered

Graduation Fair is held every spring and fall semester to allow graduating students to:

  • Register to be a part of the ceremony, if you haven't already
  • Meet with representatives from financial aid, career services, and Penn State Harrisburg graduate program admissions
  • Place orders (with the Bookstore) for graduation announcements, class rings, diploma frames, and other commemorative items
  • View samples of the academic regalia (caps and gowns) to be worn at the ceremony

Check the events calendar for the date and time for this semester's fair.

Alternate Commencement Sites

If you would like to attend a commencement ceremony other than your assigned campus location, you must use the Alternate Location Request Form (PDF). Contact the Office of Enrollment Services at 717-948-6020 for more information or for assistance with this process.

Commencement Ceremony Instructions

General Information

  • The ceremony will start promptly at 9:30 a.m. and lasts approximately 2½ hours.
  • Don’t forget to print a Giant Center Parking Pass (PDF) for yourself and your guests.
  • There are no rehearsals for the ceremony. Students will receive complete instructions at the Giant Center on the day of commencement.

What to Wear: Academic Regalia and other clothing guidelines  

Information for All Participants

Uniforms of the armed forces are the only apparel other than academic regalia that is officially recognized and permitted.

  • Due to the formality of this occasion and safety concerns, please wear appropriate footwear; flip flops, clogs, and loose fitting shoes are not recommended.
  • It is requested that men wear slacks and a dress shirt with a tie. For women, slacks with a blouse or a dress is appropriate.
  • Baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral caps and gowns differ from each other, as do the caps and gowns from other educational institutions. Please check your regalia for accuracy and quality before the day of the ceremony.
  • Ornamentation representing honorary societies or nationalities is not approved attire for Penn State academic ceremonies.
  • Remember to steam your gown before commencement to remove wrinkles from packaging.
  • No regalia will be available at the ceremony.

Especially for Undergraduates

  • Academic regalia is a blue gown with wide sleeves and a blue mortarboard cap with tassel.
  • Regalia sets are available for purchase in the Bookstore.
  • The tassel of the cap is worn on the right front edge. You will move the tassel to the left edge after crossing the stage.

For Graduate Students

  • Academic regalia is a black gown with pointed sleeves, a separate hood, and a black mortarboard cap with tassel.
  • Master's degree regalia sets are available for purchase in the Bookstore.
  • Doctoral regalia sets are available for rent in the Bookstore.
  • Candidates for graduate degrees should carry their hoods over their right arms during the processional. See the Hooding Instructions (PDF).
  • The tassel of the cap is worn on the left front edge of the mortarboard.

Arrival Time

Graduates must arrive at the Giant Center and be fully gowned by 8:30 a.m. Please allow sufficient travel time.
We may not be able to accommodate students arriving after 9:00 a.m. Graduates arriving late will not participate in the student processional.

Registration

All graduates must register in the Giant Center’s main lobby. Enter through the main entrance and send your guests to their seats in the Giant Center arena, then proceed directly to the graduate registration table in the lobby. You will receive a marching card with your name and processional number. You may be given more than one card — keep all cards; you must give them to the Commencement Marshal to receive recognition upon crossing the stage.

Graduation Processional

After registering and receiving your marching card(s), go to the student processional area. Penn State Harrisburg staff will guide all graduates through each portion of the ceremony.

  • All cell phones must be turned off as soon as you enter the student processional/seating area. Please refrain from cell phone use before and during the ceremony.
  • Students must be seated in their assigned seats by 9:00 a.m. to receive processional instructions.
  • Any student suspected to be under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance will be subject to arrest and will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony.
  • Smoking is strictly prohibited, both inside and outside the Giant Center.
  • Do not leave any personal items or valuables unattended at any time during the ceremony, especially in the student assembly area.

Students must remain seated on the Giant Center floor until the conclusion of the ceremony. When you are led out of the arena, you may meet your guests on the main concourse or outside the building. 

Guest Seating

No tickets are necessary for commencement ceremony attendance. Unlimited seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The facilities will be open at 8:00 a.m. Guests should enter the Giant Center through the main entrance.

Refer to the Giant Center Parking Pass (PDF) for parking information. Display this pass on your dashboard to ensure free parking.

Special Accommodations Assistance for those with hearing difficultieshandicap information

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you are a graduating student with a disability that requires assistance at commencement, please notify the Office of Disability Services (Alan Babcock, 717-948-6025 or aub15@psu.edu) to make arrangements for the commencement ceremony at least four weeks prior to the ceremony.

Reserved Parking

Handicap parking is available in the front of the Giant Center for vehicles with handicap plates or placards. If you do not have a handicap plate or placard, you may drop off a person with limited mobility closer to the main entrance before parking in the general parking lot.

Please note: The Giant Center is large, and the distances between parking and the building entrance, as well as distances within the building, may be impediments to guests who have difficulty walking. Allow additional time to walk these distances.

Reserved Seating

Reserved seating sections are available for guests with limited mobility:

Giant Center ushers will be available to assist guests with special needs.

Closed Captioning 

Penn State Harrisburg commencement ceremonies are close captioned. A live streaming transcription of the audio portion of the ceremony audio will be displayed on the Giant Center JumboTron for guests with difficulty hearing.

Faculty Instructions

Faculty wishing to participate in the commencement ceremony should plan to arrive at 9:00 a.m. Park in the area designated for the faculty/platform party. Look for Entrance 3, which will be marked with a lighted sign. Use the elevator to go down to Level 1, and proceed to the faculty assembly room (Room 102). Please dress in academic regalia for the ceremony. Event staff will be present to assist and position faculty in the academic processional.

Commencement Dates

Semester Date
Fall 2012 December 22
Spring 2013 May 4
Fall 2013 December 21
Spring 2014 May 10
Fall 2014 December 20
Spring 2015 May 9
Fall 2015 December 19
Spring 2016 May 7
Fall 2016 December 17
Spring 2017 May 6
Fall 2017 December 16
Spring 2018 May 5

Photos and Flowers

Photos

Photographers from GradImages™ will be at the commencement ceremony to take photographs of students as they receive their diploma. Students will be asked to provide email and mailing address at the ceremony, or they may pre-register online. After the ceremony, prints may be reviewed and ordered quickly and conveniently at www.gradimages.com or by calling 800-261-2576.

Please note: Using the online pre-registration, students may also add contact information for up to six family members to share the good news and the photos!
 
Since photographs will be available, family members and guests are encouraged to remain in their seats, relax, and enjoy the ceremony.

Flowers

Fresh flowers will be available for purchase at the commencement ceremony or can be pre-ordered at www.commencementflowers.com.

Local Hotels and Restaurants

We maintain a list of hotels and restaurants near the Giant Center for your convenience.

Commencement Keynote Speakers

Browse a listing of past keynote speakers and selected remarks. 

Distinctions, Diplomas, and Transcripts

Distinction Requirements

Distinction at graduation shall be awarded to those baccalaureate degree candidates of the graduating class according to the following rule. The top 12 percent of the baccalaureate degree candidates from any college shall be eligible to graduate with distinction if they have achieved at least a grade-point average of 3.50, based on at least 60 credits at the University. The 12 percent should be divided into two percent "With Highest Distinction," four percent "With High Distinction," and six percent "With Distinction."

Diplomas

It is critical for the University to have the correct information for the diploma and an accurate mailing address for each student. Students may update this information on eLion.

Diplomas will be mailed, at no cost, to the graduates’ permanent residence or eLion diploma mailing address approximately four weeks after the commencement ceremony.

Please note: Special inks are used in the printing of your diploma; do not store it in a cedar chest.

Transcripts

The official transcript is the University's official statement of your academic record. It lists all courses completed, all grades earned, and the semester in which they were received. The official transcript also contains notations of distinctions, minors, options, and degrees received. The official transcript is printed on security sensitive paper and contains the University seal and signature of the University registrar.

You may be asked to provide a copy of your official transcript to potential employers, graduate schools, professional organizations, and so on. It is very common for potential employers and organizations to request that the University send your transcript directly to them. For your protection, we will not release an official transcript without your permission and signature.

Visit the University registrar's web site for additional information and instructions on how to obtain your transcript. 

 

Contact Us

Please call 717-948-6029, fax 717-948-6370, e-mail rsvp@psu.edu, or stop by the Office of Marketing Research and Communications (W-101 Olmsted), if Penn State may assist you in any way.