Family and Friends of Graduates

Class of 2024 Commencement Exercises

We are excited to welcome you and to celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2024 together at this year's ceremonies. The Commencement Exercises will take place between Friday, May 17 - Sunday, May 19, 2024. For more information choose from the following ceremonies. 

Schedule of Events

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
Friday, May 17, 2024
Procession starts: 9:20 a.m.
Ceremony starts: 10 a.m.
Carnesecca Arena

Commencement Mass ~ Queens Campus
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Doors open: 3 p.m.
Mass begins: 4 p.m.
Carnesecca Arena

Commencement Mass ~ Staten Island Campus
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Doors open: 3 p.m.
Mass begins: 4 p.m.
Upper Level, Student Campus Center

In Preparation for the Graduation Ceremony

Read the Graduate-Level Commencement Exercises 2024 Student Information Book, coming soon. 

Check www.stjohns.edu/commencement for the latest updates.

Visit the Keepsake Items page for gift ideas.

Celebrate the Class of 2024 Join us in honoring our graduates and post a celebratory message wishing our graduates success in their future endeavors! #SJUGrad

Visit the Commencement Public Safety Advisory page for a listing of items that are not permitted into the arena.

Visit the Directions and Area Hotels for directions to the Queens Campus and for a listing of local area hotels.

Day of Ceremony

Don't forget your Commencement tickets (electronic or printout)

Be sure to arrive to your seats 1 hour before the start of the ceremony.

Make arrangements with your graduate to identify a meeting location immediately following the ceremony. The ceremony is expected to last approximately 2 1/2 hours.

Check www.stjohns.edu/commencement for the latest updates.

Check www.weather.com for the latest forecast.

Check your local news for road closings and delays.

Parking:
Guests are permitted to park on campus. Please enter through Gate 3 on Utopia Parkway or Gate 4 on Union Turnpike.

Additional parking is available in the campus garages. Entrances are off of Union Turnpike.

If parking on our neighborhood streets, please be sure to follow local NYC parking regulations where applicable.

View the Queens Campus map.

Vendors:
The Queens Campus Bookstore will be open and will have merchandise available for purchase in the lobby of Carnesecca Arena.

Flowers and other items will also be available for purchase.

Food and Beverages will be sold at our concession stands in Carnesecca Arena.

Lost and Found:
The Office of Public Safety will collect and hold any items that are lost or found, during the ceremonies. If you need to report or find a lost item, please see a Public Safety Officer.

Guest Accommodations

Sign language interpreters will be present for the duration of the ceremony. If you require these services, please inform a Public Safety Officer or a university host upon arrival to the ceremony.

For guests who are wheelchair bound and need assistance on the day of the ceremony, please see a Public Safety Officer for assistance and enter through Gate 4 on Union Turnpike. Space is limited and we are only able to offer seating to the person requesting accommodations and one companion. 

Web Viewing

The Commencement Exercises will be streamed live at www.stjohns.edu/commencement for those who are unable to attend in person.

Schedule of Events

Graduate-Level Commencement Exercises for
The School of Education
The Peter J. Tobin College of Business
Friday, May 17, 2024
Procession starts: 3:20 p.m.
Ceremony starts: 4 p.m.
Carnesecca Arena

Commencement Mass ~ Queens Campus
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Doors open: 3 p.m.
Mass begins: 4 p.m.
Carnesecca Arena

Commencement Mass ~ Staten Island Campus
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Doors open: 3 p.m.
Mass begins: 4 p.m.
Upper Level, Student Campus Center

In Preparation for the Graduation Ceremony

Read the Graduate-Level Commencement Exercises 2024 Student Information Book, coming soon. 

Check www.stjohns.edu/commencement for the latest updates.

Visit the Keepsake Items page for gift ideas.

Celebrate the Class of 2024 Join us in honoring our graduates and post a celebratory message wishing our graduates success in their future endeavors! #SJUGrad

Visit the Commencement Public Safety Advisory page for a listing of items that are not permitted into the arena.

Visit the Directions and Area Hotels for directions to the Queens Campus and for a listing of local area hotels.

Day of Ceremony

Don't forget your Commencement tickets (electronic or printout)

Be sure to arrive to your seats 1 hour before the start of the ceremony.

Make arrangements with your graduate to identify a meeting location immediately following the ceremony. The ceremony is expected to last approximately 2 1/2 hours.

Check www.stjohns.edu/commencement for the latest updates.

Check www.weather.com for the latest forecast.

Check your local news for road closings and delays.

Parking:
Guests are permitted to park on campus. Please enter through Gate 3 on Utopia Parkway or Gate 4 on Union Turnpike.

Additional parking is available in the campus garages. Entrances are off of Union Turnpike.

If parking on our neighborhood streets, please be sure to follow local NYC parking regulations where applicable.

View the Queens Campus map.

Vendors:
The Queens Campus Bookstore will be open and will have merchandise available for purchase in the lobby of Carnesecca Arena.

Flowers and other items will also be available for purchase.

Food and Beverages will be sold at our concession stands in Carnesecca Arena.

Lost and Found:
The Office of Public Safety will collect and hold any items that are lost or found, during the ceremonies. If you need to report or find a lost item, please see a Public Safety Officer.

Guest Accommodations

Sign language interpreters will be present for the duration of the ceremony. If you require these services, please inform a Public Safety Officer or a university host upon arrival to the ceremony.

For guests who are wheelchair bound and need assistance on the day of the ceremony, please see a Public Safety Officer for assistance and enter through Gate 4 on Union Turnpike. Space is limited and we are only able to offer seating to the person requesting accommodations and one companion. 

Web Viewing

The Commencement Exercises will be streamed live at www.stjohns.edu/commencement for those who are unable to attend in person.

Schedule of Events

Commencement Mass ~ Queens Campus
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Doors open: 3 p.m.
Mass begins: 4 p.m.
Carnesecca Arena

Commencement Mass ~ Staten Island Campus
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Doors open: 3 p.m.
Mass begins: 4 p.m.
Upper Level, Student Campus Center

Family Graduate Celebration: A Toast to the Class of 2024 ~ for Queens and Manhattan Campus Undergraduate-Level Graduates
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Doors open: 5 p.m.
Dinner begins: 5:30 p.m. 
Taffner Field House and Tennis Lawn, Queens Campus

Family Graduate Dinner ~ Staten Island Campus
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Doors open: 5 p.m.
Dinner begins: 5:30 p.m.
Upper Level, Student Campus Center

Undergraduate-Level Commencement Exercises
Sunday, May 19, 2024
Seating area opens: 7:30 a.m.
Procession starts: 9:15 a.m.
Ceremony starts: 10 a.m.
Great Lawn, Queens Campus

In Preparation for the Graduation Ceremony

Read the Undergraduate-Level Commencement Exercises 2024 Student Information Book, coming soon. 

Check www.stjohns.edu/commencement for the latest updates.

Visit the Keepsake Items page for gift ideas.

Celebrate the Class of 2024 Join us in honoring our graduates and post a celebratory message wishing our graduates success in their future endeavors! #SJUGrad

Visit Jostens website to build an ad to celebrate your graduate's achievements in this year's yearbook. Click here for more information. Purchase the 2024 Yearbook today! 

Visit the Commencement Public Safety Advisory page for a listing of items that are not permitted.

Visit the Directions and Area Hotels for directions to the Queens Campus and for a listing of local area hotels.

Day of Ceremony

Don't forget your Commencement tickets (electronic or printout)

Be sure to arrive to your seats by 8:15 a.m. (1 hour before the procession starts) and no later than 8:45 a.m.

Make arrangements with your graduate to identify a meeting location immediately following the exercises. The ceremony is expected to last approximately 2 1/2 hours.

Check www.stjohns.edu/commencement for the latest updates.

Check www.weather.com for the latest forecast and your local news for road closings and delays.

Simulcast Location:
Please ask any Public Safety Officer or University Host, on Sunday, May 19, to direct you to the simulcast location. Seating in this area is indoors and requires a guest ticket to enter.

Restroom Locations:
Restroom Trailers will be available on the Great Lawn.

Restrooms will also be available in Marillac Hall (1st, 2nd and 3rd floors), St. John Hall (2nd floor for women and 3rd floor for men), St. Albert Hall (1st floor) and St. Thomas More Church (only for those seated in the guest accommodations seating area) 

First Aid:
There will be emergency medical personnel on site near St. Thomas More Church. If you need immediate assistance, please find a Public Safety Officer or a University Host.

Parking:
Guests are permitted to park on campus, however due to the large number of guests attending, there may be a shortage of parking on campus.

Graduates and guests are advised to carpool. 

If parking on our neighborhood streets, please be sure to follow local NYC parking regulations where applicable.

View the Queens campus map.

Vendors:
The Queens Campus Bookstore will be open and will have merchandise available for purchase on the Great Lawn.

Flowers and other items will also be available for purchase.

Food and Beverages will be sold at concession stands next to the lawn. Water will be available for guests within the seating area.  

Guest Accommodations

Sign language interpreters will be present for the duration of the ceremony. If you require these services, please inform a public safety officer or a university host upon arrival to the ceremony.

For guests who are wheelchair bound and need assistance on the day of the ceremony, please see a public safety officer for assistance and enter through Gate 1 located on Utopia Parkway. Space is limited on the Great Lawn and we are only able to offer seating to the person requesting accommodations and one companion. 

Web Viewing

The Commencement Exercises will be streamed live at www.stjohns.edu/commencement for those who are unable to attend in person.