It’s finally almost here, the day many seniors have been anxiously waiting for or dreading.  It’s what every student works toward during their college years. It marks the end of an era, and quite possibly the end of formal education for some. It’s a time to celebrate with your friends and family because you did it! You survived four years of college and you should be proud of your accomplishments.

The May Commencement ceremonies will take place on Saturday, May 10 at 2 p.m. at the Erie Insurance Arena. Students who have met all the requirements for graduation will have the ability to celebrate their accomplishments with their classmates, professors, friends and families. Each graduating student will be recognized and celebrated by the university in this ceremony.

Graduation day begins early with the ROTC Commissioning Ceremony held in Waldron 219 at 8:30 a.m. to recognize the graduating members. The Baccalaureate Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. at St. Peter Cathedral on Sassafras Street. This mass will also recognize those students who are leaving Gannon to take on full-time service work for a significant period of time.

After mass, a reception for all graduates and their families will be held in the Yehl Alumni Room in the Waldron Campus Center, beginning at 11:00 a.m., faculty and staff members from Gannon will also be in attendance. All graduates are then expected to be at the Erie Insurance Arena by 1:10 p.m. to line up for the procession that will begin the Commencement exercises.

The actual Commencement ceremony will begin at 2:00 p.m. The University asks that all attendants behave respectfully, as graduation is a formal ceremony. Graduates are asked to dress up and wear their academic attire. If you haven’t already gotten your cap and gown, you can pick it up in the Registrar’s Office from May 5 through May 8 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

If you can’t make it to Commencement, the ceremony will also be live-streamed on the Gannon website here. Students and families will be able to purchase a video recording of the ceremony and pictures taken by professional photographers in the Arena.

More information on Commencement, including information for out-of-town visitors, can be found here. If you have questions or concerns, including if you or a member of your family requires accommodations for a disability, please call the Provost’s Office at 814-871-7401.