Penn State Behrend Spring 2025 Commencement

Friday, May 9, 2025
6:30 p.m.
Erie Insurance Arena

Information for Graduates

  • Commencement time: Commencement begins at 6:30 p.m. Candidates for all degrees should report to the lower level of Erie Insurance Arena no later than 5:30 p.m.
  • Guests: No tickets are required for your guests' admission, and guest seating is first come, first served. The ceremony also will be live-streamed at behrend.psu.edu. Please leave purses and other valuables with your guests. Do not take them onto the gymnasium floor.
  • Academic Dress: Candidates for graduation must wear an official cap and gown to participate in the processional and ceremony. Try on your gown before the ceremony. If it doesn't fit well, it might be able to be exchanged at the Behrend Bookstore. See more about what to wear at commencement.
  • Properly Wearing Academic Regalia: Candidates for the baccalaureate and associate degrees should wear the tassel of the cap on the right front edge. Candidates must wear a gown and a cap with a tassel. The gown must be zipped in order to participate in the processional and ceremony.
  • Master’s Hoods: Candidates for a master's degree should carry their hood in the processional and bring it with them to the stage. Your hood will be placed on your shoulders during the ceremony.
  • Academic Distinction: Penn State has established criteria for students to graduate with academic distinction. See the current GPA criteria on the University's Graduation with Distinction page.
  • Diplomas: Your diploma will not be issued at the ceremony, but will be mailed from University Park to your home. Check your address in LionPATH to make sure it is correct. If your diploma was damaged in the mail, please return it to the Registrar's Office at University Park with a note saying it was damaged. After the damaged diploma is received, a new one will be sent at no charge. If you wish to change the way your name will appear on your diploma, you should file a request for a name change promptly through the Registrar's Office.

Information for Guests

  • Commencement time: Commencement begins promptly at 6:00 p.m. Seating is first come, first served. No ticket is required for admission.
  • Parking: Free parking will be available in the Junker and Jordan Road lots. Visitor parking permits are not required during commencement.
  • Accessibility: Please alert one of the Penn State Behrend police officers on traffic duty if someone in your party will need assistance to reach Junker Center. Both entrances to Junker Center require a short uphill walk; guests with limited mobility may want to bring a wheelchair. Lion Ambassadors will be stationed nearby for assistance.
  • Photography: To commemorate this milestone occasion, a professional photograph is taken of each graduate. To avoid congestion and to maintain decorum in the ceremony, we ask that family and friends refrain from approaching the stage when taking pictures or using a video camera.

For More Information

If you have additional questions not answered here, email [email protected].

The Pennsylvania State University encourages qualified persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Jane Brady in advance of your participation or visit.

Gifts for Graduates 

Graduates, here's how you can mark your milestone—or families, how you can celebrate your graduate:

  • Purchase a photo: Lifetouch Photography will take a professional photograph of each graduate during the ceremony. This photo may be purchased online after the ceremony. To opt in to view commencement photos, text the ordering code 448511GY25 to 90738.  
  • Purchase a paver: Order a custom inscribed monument paver that will be installed around the Mary Behrend Monument on Behrend's campus.
  • Order a class ring: Visit Jostens.com to view ring options.

Graduates: What to Wear at Commencement 

Academic dress (cap, gown and tassel) or the uniform of one of the armed forces is required to participate in a ceremony.

Associate degree and bachelor's degree candidates: The official academic regalia is a blue Penn State gown with wide sleeves and a blue mortarboard cap with a white tassel, worn on the right front edge.

Master's degree candidates: The official academic regalia is a black gown with pointed sleeves and a black mortarboard cap with a black tassel, worn on the left front edge. Candidates should carry the hood representing their academic discipline; the hood will be placed on them during the ceremony.

More Tips for Commencement Dress

  • Gowns are available in regular and plus sizes. When ordering your gown, you will be asked to provide your height and weight to ensure an appropriate fit. Gowns must close for the ceremony and should hang loose, but not be too baggy.
  • Please check your regalia for accuracy and quality before the day of the ceremony.
  • Remember to steam your gown before commencement to remove wrinkles from packaging.
  • Please arrive at the ceremony already wearing your regalia. No regalia will be available at the ceremony.
  • It is suggested that men wear slacks and a dress shirt with a tie. For women, slacks with a blouse or a dress is appropriate.
  • Because of the formality of this occasion and safety concerns, please wear appropriate footwear. Flip-flops, clogs, very high heels, and loose-fitting shoes are not recommended.
  • Modifications or additions to the official academic regalia that is contrary to University policy is discouraged. Penn State Behrend reserves the right to tell a student to remove items that violate its policy before participating in the graduation ceremony.