FRIDAY: The 2024 Graduate and Adult Bachelor Commencement Ceremony takes place on Friday, May 17, at McCann Arena. The Graduate procession into the arena starts at 5:45 p.m., and the ceremony begins at 6 p.m. The program is expected to be about 90 minutes. Graduate School receptions take place prior to the ceremony, see the Commencement Event Schedule for times and locations.  

SATURDAY: The 78th Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony takes place on Saturday, May 18, on the Marist College Campus Green. The Undergraduate procession onto the Green steps off at 10:15 a.m., and ceremony begins at 11 a.m. The program is expected to be approximately two hours. After the ceremony, all guests and graduates are welcome to celebrate together at a reception under the tent in St. Peter's Meadow.  

The Commencement Courtyard is the area in front of the Murray Student Center that will have guest services, information, restrooms, coffee and flower vendors, and additional seating.   

Each student can reserve up to six (6) tickets and were sent information about reserving their tickets on the college ticketing system.  Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of each event. 

The College is also providing indoor locations around campus on Saturday that will stream the event if guests would like to sit inside to view and join their graduate after the ceremony. Indoor viewing locations include Donnelly Hall, Fusco Recital Hall, Nelly Goletti Theatre, the Cabaret, and McCann Arena. No tickets are required for the indoor viewing areas. 

FRIDAY: Guests with tickets will be allowed to start seating at 5 p.m. at McCann Arena. 

SATURDAY: Guests with tickets will be allowed on the Campus Green at 8:45 a.m.  

* Students must reserve tickets for their guests and will be prompted for a passcode during the reservation process. The passcode is your CWID.

There will be designated seating sections to accommodate guests. Students may request accessible seating tickets with their Commencement ticket order, a limit of two accessible tickets per graduate will be issued.  Accessible parking lots are reserved for vehicles with handicapped license plates, or handicapped parking placards issued by a municipality. 

Marist will have American Sign Language Interpreters at both Friday and Saturday Ceremonies.

Professional photographers will be on hand to photograph all graduates as they shake hands with President Kevin Weinman when they walk across the stage. Three to four weeks after the ceremony, graduates will receive two proofs from which prints may be ordered. If you have any questions, please contact Island Photography directly at (800) 869-0908.

Due to the large number of people attending Commencement, it is necessary to restrict access to the platform and the graduates' seating area. Guests will not be able to walk or stand in the aisles to take photographs or to videotape. 

Friday: Andrew Lutakome Kayiira Jr., ’04 will be the keynote speaker at the Graduate and Adult Commencement ceremony. An accomplished capital markets executive whose family roots run deep with Marist, Andrew also will receive the Distinguished Alumni Medal.

Saturday: Christine Brennan – one of the nation’s most celebrated sports columnists – will address undergraduates at Commencement. Brennan is a nationally renowned sports columnist for USA TODAY, commentator for CNN, ABC News, PBS NewsHour, and others, and has been recognized for breaking numerous barriers in sports journalism throughout her career.

Click here to read the announcement.

The College offers live streaming of both the Friday and Saturday ceremony. It will be broadcast on the main page of the Commencement website on the day of the event.

Marist wants to make sure each name called is pronounced correctly. In April, students receive an email introducing them to Marching Order, an organization working with Marist to record graduate names. Students can provide the correct pronunciation of their name directly to Marching Order. If you have questions, please call the Media Center at (845) 575-3635. 

Weather conditions have varied from picture perfect to extreme rain or heat. Graduates and guests are advised to dress comfortably and be prepared for the weather. If it is raining, you may want to bring umbrellas and appropriate rain gear. Bring sunblock and hats for sunny conditions. Wear shoes appropriate for grassy areas. 

If there is severe weather, the safety of all Commencement participants and guests is at the forefront of our planning for a successful event. The severe weather plans for this event will allow students and their families to be at the center of this important experience. If a decision is made to move indoors, all graduates will be notified via their Marist email and the MaristAlert text messaging system, and information will be posted on the Marist website. 

From hotels to bed and breakfasts to cozy retreats, visitors can be confident they will enjoy their stay in comfort and style. Browse local lodging options.

Orders for personalized announcements can be placed online at collegegrad.herffjones.com.

Alcohol is not permitted before or during the Commencement exercises for all guests and participants and will be confiscated if brought to the ceremony.  Graduates participating in the Commencement ceremony will be required to sign a statement to acknowledge that they understand the College’s alcohol policy. Students must sign the statement prior to obtaining a lineup card. Also, please remember that Marist College is a smoke-free zone.