Sign-ups for the 2025 Physics Department Graduation were open from January through April. Only students who received confirmation of their registration are eligible to participate in the event.

Participants were offered the opportunity to submit slideshow information by May 1. Late submissions are not guaranteed to be included in the event, though the material may be utilized in the future (eg. on the departmental website). 

Pick ups for graduation gift and submision of namecards closed May 9.

Check this webpage regularly for updates about this event and don't forgot to use the link in your email to submit your slideshow information!

Formal attire and proper regalia are required for the departmental ceremony. PhD candidates must ensure their regalia includes the required hood. Regalia must be ordered through the campus at the Campus Commencement website.

PhD advisors will be invited and asked to hood their students. If a particular faculty member is not available the former Graduate Vice Chair will perform the hooding. 

During the ceremony, graduates will take an official photo and walk across the stage as their degree is conferred (actual diplomas will not be issued during the ceremony). The photographer will need 1-3 weeks to prepare photos. Once they're available, graduate students will be able to access them. 

Graduating Students must check in at the appropriate location below promptly at 10am on June 14. 

Check-in Location for Graduating Students:

We welcome family and close friends of graduating students participating in the event to attend the celebration (there are no tickets and we have not set a limit on the number of guests a participant can bring).

If you are making arrangements for travel and need/want any documentation about the event, please reference this webpage.

Please note that commencement weekend on campus is extremely busy. We suggest allowing ample time for parking. 

Upon arrival, guests will be directed to their designated seating areas inside the venue. Guests will be asked to refrain from approaching the stage during the commencement ceremony. A professional photographer will be at commencement to take photos throughout the ceremony. Photos will be available to be downloaded later. The event will not be live-streamed. 

Prohibited Items: glitter or confetti - please refer to the campus commencement page.

Local accommodations, dining, and entertainment nearby - campus commencement page.

ADA Accommodations: Please ask ​​​​​​your graduate to report any ADA needs you have (eg. wheelchair seating, assistive devices). 

Faculty attendees will join the Platform Party onstage during Commencement. Regalia is required. If you do not already have it, the Department will contact you with instructions on how to order it.

Please allow ample time for parking, as Commencement weekend on campus is extremely busy.

Faculty Robing Room Location:

Parking will be available on campus at no charge during commencement weekend. We recommend guests and students park in the Gilman Parking Structure, Hopkins Parking, and South Parking Structure. Starting Friday, June 13, to Sunday, June 15, campus transportation and parking will be impacted due to Commencement and move-out activities. Please arrive early to allow ample time to park and check in at the commencement venue. 

Walking Directions from the parking structures, bus station, and trolley stops. 

Click here to see the 2024 Physics Commencement Slideshow! 

Q: What are the Zoom coordinates for the weekly Grad Drop-Ins?

A: Meeting ID: 916 6014 7750; Password: 135874

Q: Will guests receive an invitation to the event?

A: Graduating students who are participating in the event will need to inform their guests about the event and share this webpage (there will be no guest invites and/or tickets for this event).

Q: If I am an undergraduate, can I particpate if I'm graduating in the fall?

A: Yes, though the event is designed to accommodate those graduating in the current academic year, UGs have a special provision to partcipate if graduating the following fall. 

Q: What sort of accessibility options are available for the event?

A: Please note that the campus will not allow the Physics Department to transport individuals to/from any parking structures to the Price Center. Individuals will need to refer to campus information for parking options. The Price Center entrance on Townsquare has an elevator available (it is to the left of the wide staircase and Triton statue). Those who reported needing guest accommodations relating to seating at our event (eg. wheelchair) will be accommodated. 

Q: Can I sign up late? Can I complete grad "to do" items late?

A: Our event involves many moving parts, many parties within and outside of the Department, and requires a high level of coordination to ensure everything runs smoothly. Because of this, we operate on a set schedule with firm deadlines, and we’re only able to accommodate changes or additions that fall within the adjustment timeframe we've outlined. Once certain aspects of the event have been finalized, further updates may not be feasible without affecting the overall coordination.

Q: Can I have a gift even if I am not participating in the graduation ceremony?

A: As the gifts are part of the event budget, we are only authorized to give gifts to those participating in our event.

Q: I missed the gift pick up window. Can I still get a gift?

A: After the gift pick up window has closed, it is no longer possile to stop by to pick up your gift. We will bring gifts to the event site and they will be available during event check-in. If you did not pick up your gift during the event pick up window and you were hoping to use your gift before graduation (eg. in pictures), you might consider coordinating with a fellow graduate who picked up their gift to see if you can borrow theirs.