Literatures in English Department Recognition Ceremony

Graduates are required to submit the RSVP survey they receive via email and provide a guest count DUE May 1st. 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. Mask wearing at this event is highly encouraged. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Please note: guest numbers and/or attendance requirements are subject to change prior to this event, depending on the University's COVID-19 guidelines for events: covid.cornell.edu/events

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. 

Light 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.

Graduates: Upon arriving at the Statler, degree candidates 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 by May 1st, which includes your preferred name and pronunciation.

Guests: Guest check-in will be available from 3:00 - 3:45pm, if University guidelines require it.

As a courtesy to all in attendance, please have your 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, MFA, and English Major) should be wearing their regalia and proceed to the lower lobby of the Statler (follow the signs), and assemble in line for the procession. PhD candidates should carry their hoods. Guests and family members will be asked to take their seats in Statler 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!

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.