Degree Recognition Ceremony

Graduates are required to submit the RSVP survey (DUE May 11) they receive via email and provide a guest count. Regalia must also be ordered by the University deadline. 

Graduating students are welcome to bring guests to this event. Graduates are responsible for ensuring that their attendees are aware of and comply with all University health and safety requirements. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. 

If you or your guests require any special needs or accommodations, please email the department at english_dept@cornell.edu in advance.

Statler Auditorium is located at the corner of Statler Drive and Campus Road. Building entrances are located on Statler Drive and East Avenue. For those with accessibility needs, please enter the building via Statler Drive. Directional signage will be posted at both entrances. 

Refreshments will be served in the Park Atrium outside the Statler Auditorium from 3:00pm until 4:00pm. 
Please note: no food or drinks are permitted in the auditorium.

Upon arriving at Statler Hall, degree candidates and minors participating in the ceremony are required to check-in at the registration table between 3:00 - 3:45pm and pick up a name card. Please do not lose your card—the Department Chair will use this card to read your name from the stage. Also, be sure to complete the RSVP survey, which includes your preferred name and pronunciation.

As a courtesy to all in attendance, we ask that guests refrain from advancing to the front of the auditorium to take photos as graduates are walking across the stage. A team of professional photographers from Grad Images will be taking stage shots and individual portrait shots. Photographs will be available for purchase directly from www.gradimages.com.

At 3:45pm all degree candidates (PhD, MA, MFA, and English Major) should be wearing their regalia and proceed to the lower lobby of Statler Auditorium (follow the signs), and assemble in line for the procession. PhD candidates should carry their hoods. Minors will not assemble for the procession and should seat themselves in the auditorium with other attendees. Guests and family members will be asked to take their seats in the auditorium by 4:00pm for the Recognition Ceremony. 

At 4:05pm all degree candidates begin the procession when prompted by the procession leader. The Recognition Ceremony begins at approximately 4:10pm. All degree candidates and their guests remain seated during the ceremony. Ushers will prompt candidates when to rise and move toward the stage. Degree candidates will be called in the order they were originally lined up, so we ask that degree candidates please stay in order! 

Minors will be recognized by name, and may stand when their name is called.

After the closing remarks, the ushers will prompt the graduates to exit the auditorium. Guests remain seated until all graduates have exited.

Please visit the University’s Commencement Website (commencement.cornell.edu) for information on regalia, lodging, and other commencement activities.

Parking and location assistance can be found here: commencement.cornell.edu/may/plan/park. 

If you have further questions about the recognition ceremony, please email the department at english_dept@cornell.edu or call our main office at 607-255-6800.