Commencement FAQ

Yes, due to limited space on Mead Hall Lawn, tickets are required for all 2025 Commencement ceremonies. Five tickets per graduate will be distributed in the form of wristbands, and will be given to graduates in May.

Please note that young children under the age of two who are able to comfortably sit on a parent/guardian’s lap do not need a wristband. 

This change to ticketing for 2025 has been instituted to ensure equitable seating to accommodate friends and families. This was also a necessary adjustment for the safety and enjoyment of our guests.

Should you have additional in-person guests in mind, there are two options available:

• graduates may pursue additional tickets from peers who may not be using their full allotment of tickets, as each wristband is not exclusively assigned to each graduate by name
• we will also have virtual viewing locations throughout campus, including spaces such as the Ehinger Center or nearby in the Concert Hall

*Please note that all guests without a wristband will be directed to one of the two indoor livestream locations.*

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. 

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

*All guests without a ticket wristband will be directed to one of the two indoor livestream locations.*

Students who require a letter of intention for international travel may submit a request to Internations 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 Baldwin Gym no later than one hour before their designated ceremony to ensure they receive all necessary instruction.

The Summit Ceremony is an inclusive celebration that recognizes the incredible journeys and achievements of undergraduate students, especially those who are first-generation, LGBTQ+, or from historically underrepresented backgrounds. Information about The Summit Ceremony and Senior Days events will be sent to student’s Drew email from Student Engagement. 

Regalia details were collected in student graduation applications when attendance at the May 2025 ceremony was selected. The regalia will arrive at the Drew Bookstore in April, and additional details will be shared regarding pickup.

Cords/stoles are not required as a part of the Drew Commencement regalia package. However, qualifying students will be contacted regarding cords/stoles 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. These can be bought from the Drew bookstore. There are over 30 different country stoles in stock.

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 2025 Commencement ceremonies will be required to wear Drew University regalia. This includes 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 ceremonies. 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 a.m. for the morning ceremony and brunch attendees, and will run continuously until the time of each ceremony. The ride is approximately five minutes in length.

All on-campus graduates, as well as returning graduates, are permitted to park on-campus. 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.

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

Please note that for the morning ceremony and brunch attendees, the first shuttle will leave the BASF lot at 8 a.m., and will run continuously until the start of the event.

Yes! We’re excited to share that there will be a graduate brunch in The Commons on the morning of Commencement. Graduates are our guests, and your families/friends can join in the fun by registering here.

In addition, Starbucks and the Ehinger Center (EC) Grill will be open for Commencement from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Please note both will be cashless operations; credit card and Apple Pay will be accepted.

We anticipate each ceremony taking approximately two hours from each advertised start time.

Each 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).

Foundation executive Craig Drinkard | Morning Ceremony

Addressing the Drew Theological School Class of 2025 and graduates of the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies’ arts and letters, history and culture, and medical humanities, health, and society programs.

Author David Epstein | Afternoon Ceremony

Addressing the College of Liberal Arts Class of 2025 and Graduates of the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies data science, education, finance, and teaching programs.

Learn more about our speakers here.

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

In addition, Starbucks and the Ehinger Center (EC) Grill will be open for Commencement from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Please note both will be cashless operations; credit card and Apple Pay will be accepted.

There will be Commencement event staff and volunteers at the Seminary Hall Information Tent and throughout the festivities. 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 13. 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.

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

We encourage you to be considerate of the location for our Commencement events. For ceremonies outside on Mead Hall Lawn (weather permitting), we ask that graduates please be mindful that high heels may sink into the grass.

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 Saturday, May 17, 2025. Guests looking to assist graduates with move-out may park on campus after 3:30 p.m.

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. The $200 fee will be assessed on your student account on March 28, 2025. All students applying to graduate are required to pay the fee, regardless of participation in a ceremony.

The Class of 2025 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 eight-10 weeks after the conferral date, with international mailings being on the longer end of the time range.