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- Commencement Information for Faculty
As an integral part of the St. John's University experience for our graduates, faculty are invited to participate in the academic procession at this year's Commencement Exercises. Here, you can find information regarding this year's ceremonies.
Graduate-Level Commencement Exercises
Registration is required to participate in the Graduate-Level Commencement Exercises. Please visit and complete the online registration form by Thursday, May 14, 2026.
If you are graduating and will process as a graduating student at Commencement, please register through Tassel. An e-mail will be sent to you with instructions on how to register and purchase attire.
Date and Time | Ceremony |
|---|---|
| Friday, May 15, 2026 10 a.m. | Graduate-Level Commencement Exercises for St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies Carnesecca Arena, Queens Campus |
| Friday, May 15, 2026 4 p.m. | Graduate-Level Commencement Exercises for The Peter J. Tobin College of Business The School of Education Carnesecca Arena, Queens Campus |
| Saturday, May 16, 2026 4 p.m. | Commencement Mass Carnesecca Arena, Queens Campus |
Friday, May 15, 2026
10 a.m.
Assembly Information:
Faculty are asked to arrive to the Little Theatre, Carnesecca Arena for check-in and line-up instructions.
Location: Little Theatre, Carnesecca Arena
Arrival Time: 8:30 a.m.
Rented Attire Information:
For faculty who ordered attire online through Herff Jones or need attire for the ceremony.
Location: Marillac Terrace
Pick-up: 7 - 8:30 a.m.
Drop-off: until 7 p.m.
Commencement Exercises:
Location: Carnesecca Arena
Event Time: 10 a.m.
Faculty will march in the academic procession from the Little Theatre into the Main Arena and will be seated in the designated faculty seating section. The procession will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How can I rent academic attire?
- Academic rental attire information.
Will graduate names be called?
- Graduates will receive a Stage Pass from Tassel, that allows for the graduate's name and degree to appear on the screen and allows for the reading of their pre-recorded name as they walk across the stage.
Will Doctoral Students receive special recognition?
- Doctoral Candidates will be hooded on stage and will return to the student seating area.
Will parking be available?
- Parking is available on campus. Please note that guests and students will be asked to enter Gate 3 and park under in the general lot next to Belson Stadium.
- Download the campus map (PDF).
Friday, May 16, 2026
4 p.m.
Assembly Information:
Faculty are asked to arrive to the Little Theatre, Carnesecca Arena for check-in and line-up instructions.
Location: Little Theatre, Carnesecca Arena
Arrival Time: 2:30 p.m.
Rented Attire Information:
For faculty who ordered attire online through Herff Jones or need attire for the ceremony.
Location: Marillac Terrace
Pick-up: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Drop-off: until 7 p.m.
Commencement Exercises:
Location: Carnesecca Arena
Event Time: 4 p.m.
Faculty will march in the academic procession from the Little Theatre into the Main Arena and will be seated in the designated faculty seating section The procession will begin promptly at 3:30 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How can I rent academic attire?
- Academic rental attire information.
Will graduate names be called?
- Graduates will receive a Stage Pass from Tassel, that allows for the graduate's name and degree to appear on the screen and allows for the reading of their pre-recorded name as they walk across the stage.
Will Doctoral Students from The School of Education receive special recognition?
- Doctoral Candidates will be hooded on stage and will return to the student seating area.
Will parking be available?
- Parking is available on campus. Please note that guests and students will be asked to enter Gate 3 and park under in the general lot next to Belson Stadium.
- Download the campus map (PDF).
Commencement Mass
The Commencement Mass is an opportunity for our graduates, families and friends, and the University Community to give thanks for all of the gifts and blessings received from God. It is also our chance to pray for our graduates and to ask God's blessings upon you as you move into the next phase of your life. This year the celebrant for the Commencement Mass will be Rev. Aidan R. Rooney, C.M., M.Div, M.Th '78NDC, Executive Vice President for Mission and the homilist will be our President, Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., Ph.D.
Saturday, May 15, 2026
4 p.m. (Doors open at 3 p.m.)
Location: Carnesecca Arena, Queens Campus
Seating Information
- Faculty can register to attend the Commencement Mass online.
- A seating section will be reserved for members of the university community.
- Faculty and Administrators are asked to wear their academic attire (gown and hood) to Mass.
Participate in the Mass
If you would like to participate in the Mass in a ministerial role, such as a lector, extraordinary minister of communion, candle bearer or a gift bearer, or if a graduate or member of a graduate's family is a Catholic Priest and would like to concelebrate the Mass, please contact Andrea Pinnavaia at 718-990-3346 or email [email protected].
For more information regarding the Commencement Mass, please contact the Office of Campus Ministry at 718-990-6255.
Undergraduate-Level Commencement Exercises
Registration is required to participate in the Undergraduate-Level Commencement Exercises. Please visit and complete the online registration form by Thursday, May 14, 2026.
If you are graduating and will process as a graduating student at Commencement, please register through Tassel. An e-mail will be sent to you with instructions on how to register and purchase attire.
Date and Time | Ceremony |
|---|---|
| Saturday, May 16, 2026 4 p.m. | Commencement Mass Carnesecca Arena, Queens Campus |
| Sunday, May 17, 2026 10 a.m. | Undergraduate-Level Commencement Exercises Great Lawn, Queens Campus |
Sunday, May 17, 2026
10 a.m.
Assembly Information:
Faculty are asked to arrive to the Kelleher Welcome Center for check-in and line-up instructions.
Location: Kelleher Welcome Center
Arrival Time: 8:30 a.m.
Rented Attire Information:
For faculty who ordered attire online through Herff Jones or need attire for the ceremony.
Location: Marillac Terrace
Pick-up: 7 - 8:30 a.m.
Drop-off: 12:30 - 2 p.m.
Commencement Exercises:
Location: Great Lawn, Queens Campus
Event Time: 10 a.m.
Faculty will march in the academic procession from the Kelleher Welcome Center to the designated faculty seating sections. The procession will begin promptly at 9:15 a.m.
How can I rent academic attire?
- Academic rental attire information.
Will graduate names be called?
- Graduates will receive a Stage Pass from Tassel, that allows for the graduate's name and degree to appear on the screen and allows for the reading of their pre-recorded name as they walk across the stage.
What happens in the event of inclement weather?
- The Commencement Exercises will be held on the Great Lawn, rain or shine.
- If the ceremony is underway and severe weather conditions exist, the ceremony may be abbreviated and the calling of student names may be omitted from the program.
- If the ceremony cannot be held due to extreme or dangerous weather, the ceremony may be cancelled.
- Every reasonable effort will be made to hold the ceremony as planned.
Will parking be available?
- Parking is available on campus. Please allow yourself ample time to find parking and walk to the assembly area as guests will also be parking on campus and there may be a shortage of parking spots.
- Faculty and guests can also park on our neighborhood streets. Please be sure to follow all NYC parking regulations where applicable.
- Download the campus map (PDF).