Commencement FAQ

Yes, each graduate will receive 5 tickets for Mead Hall Lawn.

*Please note: all infants and toddlers age 2 and under do not require a ticket if they can comfortably sit on a guardian’s lap. All other children will require tickets as seating on Mead Hall Lawn is limited.

We know that some graduates will not need their allocation of tickets and others may be wanting additional tickets.

Graduates will have the opportunity to request up to 2 additional tickets and if space allows we will release tickets to those requested through a lottery system later this spring. This request period closes on April 15.

Commencement will also be livestreamed, with indoor streaming locations available on campus with unlimited seating for guests without tickets. The ceremony livestream can be accessed at drew.edu/commencement the day of the event and recordings will be available.

For guests with accessability needs, there will be two distinct sections available: one for accessible seating, and the second to have access to our ASL partner. Please contact our team at [email protected] with any accessability concerns/questions. 

All infants and toddlers age 2 and under do not require a ticket if they can comfortably sit on a guardian’s lap. All other children will require tickets as seating on Mead Hall Lawn is limited.

We will have virtual viewing locations throughout campus, including spaces such as the Ehinger Center or nearby in the Concert Hall. 

Students who require a letter of intention for international travel may submit a request to International Student & Scholar Services through this form. Questions? Please contact the ISSS team directly at [email protected].

No lodging will be provided on campus for non-resident students and all guests. There are various accommodations in the Madison area, such as:

• Archer Hotel Florham Park, 130 Park Avenue, Florham Park, NJ 07932, (862).286.7000
• Hyatt House Morristown, 194 Park Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960, (888).415.9695
• The Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ 07960, (973).285.1800

No, graduates will be provided with guidance on the day of the ceremony. It is important that all grads meet in their designated line-up location no later than one hour before the ceremony start time to ensure they receive all necessary instruction.

Yes!

For doctoral graduates:

Graduating doctoral candidates of both the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies and Drew Theological School will have the opportunity to be hooded on Thursday, May 14 at 2 p.m in the Concert Hall. This will be a non-ticketed event, and all guests are welcome. A livestream will be available at drew.edu/commencement.

Regalia questions? Contact the Drew Bookstore at [email protected] or call 973.408.3097.

For undergraduates:

The Senior Days schedule is now available:

Additional information and registration for 2026 Senior Days will be available in the coming weeks from [email protected].

Cords/stoles are not required as a part of the Drew Commencement regalia package. However, qualifying students will be contacted regarding cords/stoles later in the spring semester.

All academic cords/stoles are coordinated and distributed by the faculty advisor(s) for each CLA honors society and Latin honors. Questions about honors cords? Contact the Dean’s Office at [email protected].

All athlete cords/stoles are distributed by the Athletics Department. Questions? Contact Athletics at [email protected].

All international student stoles are available for purchase from the Drew Bookstore. The international stole represents the country of origin for a student. There are over 30 different country stoles in stock. Questions? Contact the Drew Bookstore at [email protected] or call 973.408.3097. 

All identity or activities-based cords/stoles are distributed by Student Engagement. Questions? Contact the team at [email protected].

Yes! All graduates participating in the 2026 Commencement ceremonies will be required to wear Drew University regalia. This includes appropriate robes, caps, tassels, and hoods. 

Have a question/concern regarding regalia? Please contact the Drew University Bookstore at [email protected], 973.408.3097, or drop by the Bookstore located on the first floor of Commons (Commons Concourse). 

Caps, tassels, and gowns are all required regalia for Commencement. In the event of misplacing those items, graduates can purchase replacements at the Drew Bookstore.

All guest parking will be hosted offsite at the neighboring BASF Florham Park site. There will be shuttles to and from campus, which will begin running at 8:45 a.m., and will run continuously until the time of the ceremony, with the last shuttle leaving campus at 5 p.m. The ride is approximately 5 minutes in length.

All graduates are permitted to park on campus, regardless of parking permit status. Please note that only individual returning graduates will be permitted entrance, all guests must arrive via the shuttle from the BASF lot.

Handicap parking is available on-site at Drew; all guests are asked to display an appropriate tag or permit. Questions about parking and accessibility? Email the Commencement Team at [email protected].

Seating will open to guests one hour ahead of the ceremony. Seats cannot be reserved, and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for those with tickets. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on Mead Hall Lawn, weather permitting, and will also be livestreamed.

*Please note: all infants and toddlers age 2 and under do not require a ticket if they can comfortably sit on a guardian’s lap. All other children will require tickets as seating on Mead Hall Lawn is limited.

We anticipate the ceremony, which will honor graduates from all three schools, running approximately 2.5 hours.

No. At Drew, we have a long-standing tradition of allowing graduates to sit in the order of their choice by degree within their school. This allows our graduates to share the milestone with their closest friends.

Yes! The ceremony will be available for virtual viewing on Drew’s YouTube channel and the link will be available at drew.edu/commencement. Recordings will also be available at the conclusion of each ceremony.

On-site guests without tickets for Mead Hall Lawn are also invited to enjoy the livestreamed ceremonies in the Concert Hall (Dorothy Young Center for the Arts) or Crawford Hall (Ehinger Center).

Our 2026 Commencement Speaker and Honorary Degree Recipient is Marc Freedman, Founder and Co-CEO of CoGenerate and expert on the multigenerational future. Learn more about Marc’s work here.

The Drew University Bookstore tent, located outside of Seminary Hall, will be available to purchase beverages, gifts, and flowers day-of.

There are also waterbottle refill stations available in neighboring buildings, including Seminary Hall and the Dorothy Young Center for the Arts. 

There will be Commencement event staff and volunteers at the Seminary Hall Information Tent and throughout the ceremony space. Staff are easily identifiable by bright green t-shirts.

As per our partnership agreements with vendors, the weather call will be made by end of day Tuesday,May 12. The campus community will receive any updates via email and at drew.edu/commencement.  Please note that if moved indoors, the event will take place in the Simon Forum. 

Guests are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather. We suggest bringing a rain jacket, poncho, etc., in the event of unexpected inclement weather. Umbrellas are not permitted in the seating area to ensure visibility of the ceremony for all guests. Sunscreen, hats, and other protective sun gear are encouraged as the lawn is an open area with no shade.

Should guests be in need of any of these items, they will be available for purchase at the Drew University Bookstore, located in the University Commons and the Commencement Bookstore Tent, located behind Seminary Hall. 

Grads are encouraged to not wear high heels or other shoes that will sink into the grass should the lawn be soft. 

Large bags, backpacks, laser pointers, fireworks, signs, balloons, umbrellas, alcohol, cans, and weapons are not allowed at the ceremony. Any item that prevents other attendees from viewing the ceremony are prohibited.

In case of any emergency, disturbance, weather, or other incident, please follow the direction of security personnel and event staff.  This ensures both the safety and enjoyment of all graduates and guests while participating in this important milestone event. 

Please note that Drew University is a smoke-free campus, and only registered service animals are permitted.

Graduates currently living on campus must move out by 7 p.m. on Friday, May 15. Guests looking to assist graduates with move-out may park on campus after the conclusion of the ceremony.

The Graduation/Commencement Fee goes towards the cost of processing of your final credit evaluation, the production and delivery of your diploma, your commencement regalia, commencement materials, and graduation related activities. All students applying to graduate are required to pay the fee, regardless of ceremony participation status.

Please note that the Graduation/Commencement Fee does not apply to non-degree certificate students. 

The Class of 2026 degrees will be conferred in May, and all diplomas will be mailed to the address provided on the graduation application that was requested by the Registrar’s Office. Diplomas should arrive within 8-10 weeks after the conferral date, with international mailings being on the longer end of the time range.