This ceremony honors the accomplishments of our master’s and doctoral graduates. It will take place on Friday, May 15, 2026 at 6 p.m. in Miller Theater.
A reception will immediately follow the ceremony in Ade Hall. Each eligible graduating student will receive four guest tickets for the ceremony.
To make sure your student is set to participate in the Commencement Ceremony, please check with them to make sure they’ve completed the required Apply to Graduate form through their BannerWeb account.
Go to Graduation Checklist page
Cap, gown, hood and tassel are all required to attend Commencement and can be purchased from the AU Bookstore. All measurements are taken at the Bookstore.
Orders will be available for pick-up the week of graduation. Diploma frames are also now available at the Bookstore. Questions regarding regalia or other commencement-related purchases should be directed to the University Bookstore.
We invite graduates and their families to join us for receptions hosted by your college after Saturday’s commencement ceremony. These gatherings provide an opportunity to celebrate achievements and connect with faculty, staff, and fellow families. The receptions will be organized by school in the following locations:
A reception will be held in Ade Hall immediately following Friday’s ceremony.
Tickets
Tickets will be required for admittance. All eligible graduating students will be issued five (5) tickets for attendance to the Commencement Ceremony. This policy is to help establish a safe and secure venue in compliance with NYS fire and safety codes. We will be streaming commencement live via our webpage for those who are unable to attend in person. As well, we will be showing it via live stream for un-ticketed guests who are on campus. Please direct ticket questions to the University Bookstore.
Ticket Pick-up
- Graduates will be given five (5) tickets each. Safeguard tickets; lost tickets cannot be replaced.
- Tickets will be given only to graduates on the official graduation list. You must have applied to graduate and stated you would be attending the May 16 ceremony.
- Students will be able to pick-up tickets beginning Monday, May 4 through Friday, May 15 at the AU Bookstore.
- If you are not on campus, please email [email protected] to reserve tickets for pick-up graduation morning.
Seating & Accessibility Accommodations
The University also offers seating for parents/family members who need special physical accommodations. You can reserve a seat in our special seating by completing a form. Keep in mind that due to space limitations, only one person will be able to assist and sit with the family member in the special seating area (these are included in the five tickets per student allotment). Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that accessible seating will be available to accommodate “walk-ins” without prior reservations.
Special seating requests will be accepted March 1 and will close on May 1. We kindly ask that you submit your request within this timeframe.
Submit Request
Parking lots are available throughout campus. Shuttle buses will be available to and from parking lots and McLane Center starting at 8:30 a.m. on Commencement morning. Individuals with special parking permits will be able to drop off people at the back door of McLane. The shuttle will also be available during and after Commencement.
View Campus Map & Parking Information
Undergraduate students who have achieved academic excellence at the University wear a gold cord at graduation, indicating graduation cum laude, with praise, magna cum laude, with great praise, or summa cum laude, with highest praise. Degrees conferred with distinction reflect an outstanding overall grade point average with a minimum of sixty semester credit hours earned at Alfred University; a minimum of fifty computed in the grade point average.
