Master & Doctoral Hooding and Commencement
May 1 at 6:00 pm, Sitnik Theater
Bachelor of Science & Associate of Science Degree Ceremony
May 4 at 9:00 am, Anderson Field
Bachelor of Arts, Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts & Bachelor of Social Work Degree Ceremony
May 4 at 1:00 pm, Anderson Field
Commencement 2024 FAQs
How many tickets can I get for Commencement and where do I get them?
Graduate students will receive two tickets for the Master & Doctoral Hooding/Commencement ceremony in the Sitnik Theater. Graduate students may have additional guests attend at a location on campus where the ceremony will be livestreamed.
Undergraduate students will receive four tickets to their specific commencement event. Undergraduates may have additional guests, beyond their four tickets, for the ceremonies on Anderson Field. Those guests must bring their own seating or may stand during the ceremony outside of the tented area. Only ticketed guests will have seats provided on commencement day.
Tickets will be distributed at the time of cap & gown pick up. Lost or stolen tickets cannot be replaced, so please handle your tickets with care.
The graduate and undergraduate ceremonies will be livestreamed. Graduates are strongly encouraged to let their families know that the ceremony will be live-streamed. The link to the live stream will be available on the Commencement page of the Centenary University website.
Where do I get my cap and gown?
Caps and gowns will be available for pickup, along with your commencement tickets, in the Registrar’s Office on the lower level of the Seay Administration Building. You will receive emails in the coming weeks when caps & gowns are available for pick up.
Can I get my cap and gown shipped to me?
No, we cannot ship caps and gowns. The commencement regalia will be available for pickup in the Registrar’s Office in the Seay Administration Building.
If you have already graduated, live out of state and pick up is impossible, please send an email explaining your special circumstances to Registrar@centenaryuniversity.edu. Those students can pick up their regalia on the day of their commencement ceremony.
International students may pick up their regalia and tickets on the day of the event or designate a representative to pick them up for you. If you would like to have someone else pick up your regalia and tickets, please send an email to Registrar@Centenaryuniversity.edu, telling us the name of the person (one name only) you are authorizing to do so. That person can pick up your cap, gown, and tickets at the Registrar’s Office. They will need to show a form of ID and sign a form stating that they have received your cap, gown, and tickets.
Can I get my tickets mailed to me?
No. If you have already graduated, live out of state, or pick up is impossible you may pick up your tickets on the day of your commencement ceremony.
If you fit this description, please send an email explaining your special circumstances to Registrar@centenaryuniversity.edu.
Where/how do I get my medal, stoles and/or cords?
Please reach out to your respective organization or honors society regarding stoles or cords.
Latin honors medals will be distributed at the time of graduation check-in. Students who graduated in January will receive their Latin honors medals at the time of check-in as well.
Can I have my roommate, or a friend pick up my cap and gown?
Yes. If you would like to have someone else pick up your regalia, please send an email to Registrar@centenaryuniversity.edu, telling us the name of the person (one name only) you are authorizing to do so. That person can pick up your cap and gown at the Registrar’s Office. They will need to show an ID and sign a form stating that they have received your cap and gown.
Can I have my roommate, or a friend pick up my Commencement tickets?
Yes. If you would like to have someone else pick up your tickets, please send an email to Registrar@centenaryuniversity.edu, telling us the name of the person (one name only) you are authorizing to do so. That person can pick up your tickets at the Registrar’s Office. They will have to show an ID and sign a form stating that they have received your tickets. If the tickets are lost no duplicate tickets will be issued.
Can I pick up my cap and gown on the day of Commencement?
Yes, if you have already graduated, live out of state, and have received permission to do so ahead of time from the Registrar’s Office. Please send an email explaining your special circumstances to Registrar@centenaryuniversity.edu.
Commencement regalia for all others will be available for pick up in the Registrar’s Office. You will receive an email when they are available for pick up.
Where is Commencement being held?
The Master & Doctoral Hooding & Commencement ceremony will be held in the Sitnik Theater in the David and Carol and Lackland Center on the Hackettstown Campus.
The Undergraduate Commencement ceremonies will be held on the Anderson Field, which is directly behind Anderson Hall. These locations have been chosen because they offer the greatest level of comfort and convenience to our graduates and their families, particularly those with disabilities or special needs. Anderson Field is adjacent to the David and Carol Lackland Center, which means much easier access to accessible bathrooms and parking.
What time do I need to arrive?
For the Master & Doctoral Hooding/Commencement ceremony - Graduates must check in between 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm in the lobby of the Lackland Building. Graduates will check in at the Registrar’s table to receive their Reader Name Card and then line up for the processional.
For the BS and AS Commencement ceremony – Graduates must check in between 7:00 am and 8:30 am in front of the Seay Building. Graduates will check in at the Registrar’s table to receive their Reader Name Card and then line up for the processional.
For the BA, AA, BFA and BSW Commencement ceremony – Graduates must check in between 11:00 am and 12:30 pm in front of the Seay Building. Graduates will check in at the Registrar’s table to receive their Reader Name Card and then line up for the processional.
There will be a Registrar’s table with the Reader Name Cards for each group. You must check in to receive your Reader Name Card!
Students may not switch from their assigned commencement ceremony. Tickets will be color coded according to the specific event.
Ticketed guests may be seated one hour prior to the start time of the event. Guests must be seated no later than 15 minutes before the start of the event.
What happens if it rains?
The undergraduate commencement ceremonies will be held under the tent on Anderson Field, rain or shine. We will monitor the weather forecasts closely, and any weather-related changes will be posted on the Centenary website the night before the Commencement event.
How can I find out if I am academically eligible to graduate?
Only students who have already submitted Applications for Degree Conferral may participate in the Commencement ceremony. If there are questions regarding a student’s academic eligibility they will be contacted by the Registrar’s Office.
Can I graduate if I still have an outstanding bill?
For billing questions, please call the Student Accounts Office at 908-852-1400, ext. 2245, or studentaccounts@centenaryuniversity.edu.
My guest needs disability-related seating or special accommodations. How do I make arrangements for that?
Click here to make a request for a disability-related accommodation for commencement.
For the undergraduate ceremonies on the Anderson Field there will be disability-related parking available in the Faculty/Staff parking lot, accessed from Plane Street. This will be for individuals who have made a prior request, present with a current medical need and/or have a disability parking placard.
For additional information please contact Lauren Kreeger at 908.852.1400, ext. 2152, or Lauren.Kreeger@Centenaryuniversity.edu.
Where can I park on the day of Commencement?
Parking will be available in multiple locations, but the earlier you arrive, the easier it will be to park. The graduate ceremony will take place in the David & Carol Lackland Center and there is parking in the parking lot in front of the building, accessed from 3rd Avenue. The undergraduate commencement ceremony will take place on Anderson Field, directly behind Anderson Hall. Parking will be available at:
- The David and Carol Lackland Center parking lot, accessed from 3rd Avenue (Use 715 Grand Ave, Hackettstown, NJ 07840 in your GPS.)
- The side streets around the University (please heed all local signage and regulations)
- Disability-related parking in the Faculty/Staff parking lot, accessed from Plane St. This must be pre-arranged; please see details in question 14 above.
Will the university be hosting a Baccalaureate ceremony this year?
Yes. The Baccalaureate Service will take place on Tuesday, April 30th, 2024 at 5:00 PM in the Sitnik Theatre.
Will there be Senior week events?
What other events are going on during Commencement week?
For information on other events during Commencement week, please contact the Campus Life office at 908.852.1400, ext. 4291, or Student.Life@CentenaryUniversity.edu.
Will there be a graduation rehearsal?
There will be a graduation rehearsal on Tuesday evening, April 30, in the Sitnik Theater at 6:00 pm for undergraduate students only. There is no rehearsal for the Graduate Hooding & Commencement ceremony.
I said I wasn’t going to participate, but I’ve changed my mind.
If you did not submit your Application for Degree Conferral form when it was due and indicate you intended to participate, we have not ordered a cap and gown for you, so unfortunately, it is too late to change your mind. If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact the Registrar’s office at 908-852-1400, ext. 2214, or registrar@centenaryuniversity.edu.
May I decorate my cap?
Yes, but please keep in mind this is a formal ceremony and we ask that all cap decorations be done respectfully and in good taste.
Where can I find local accommodations?
Click here for a list of local accommodations. Note: Accommodations are not affiliated with Centenary University.