Smeal Commencement

Find information about academic regalia, the ceremony, parking for guests with disabilities, photography services, diplomas & distinction cords, & etiquette for the Smeal Commencement ceremony.

The Bryce Jordan Center
Saturday, May 6th, 2023
9:00 a.m.

Congratulations on achieving your academic goal – conferral of your degree! To participate in the commencement ceremony, it is expected that you have satisfied all University, college, and major requirements in effect at the time of your admission as a degree candidate to the University.

Guest Tickets

Tickets are required for guests due to a high number of graduating students and capacity limits at the Bryce Jordan Center this spring. Each graduate will be able to receive up to six (6) tickets for their guests. Graduating students received an email on February 10, 2023 with instructions on how to secure free guest tickets; students do not need to reserve tickets for themselves.

The ticket window will open on Monday, February 13, at 10 a.m. and will close on Friday, March 17, at 5 p.m.
Only students who are officially set to graduate in the spring 2023 semester will be permitted to participate in the ceremony.

Questions? Please email SmealCommencement@smeal.psu.edu.

Academic Regalia

Academic Regalia - (cap and gown) or military uniform is required for participation. Extra adornments on caps and gowns are not permitted. Business professional attire is recommended for all graduates. Dress shoes are appropriate and very high heels or flip flops are not recommended due to safety concerns. Academic regalia (or military uniform) is available for purchase at the Penn State bookstore.

The Ceremony

For friends and family who are unable to join us at University Park, the ceremony may be viewed on the Spring Commencement Live Stream https://www.commencement.psu.edu/media/live/. Personal belongings should be given to family or friends to hold during the ceremony. Students may not bring water bottles or other liquids onto the event floor.

General parking will be available at one or more of the following parking areas, as directed by University Police and event parking staff:

  • Lot 44 – located east of the Bryce Jordan Center, and accessible from Porter Road (via Park Avenue or College Avenue) and Dauer Drive (via University Drive)
  • Stadium West – located west of Beaver Stadium, and accessible only from Park Avenue
  • Porter North – located north of Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, and accessible from Porter Road (via Park Avenue or College Avenue)

Visit our Parking Information page for more details. 

Ceremony Photography Services

Photographers from GradImages ™ will be at the ceremony to take photographs of students as they individually approach, cross and exit the stage. If you are interested in being contacted by GradImages ™ with an offer of a free photo and an opportunity to purchase additional photos, please provide your U.S. mailing and email addresses on the reverse side of your nomenclator card.

Diplomas and Distinction Cords

Diplomas will be mailed to your home address, approximately 4-6 weeks after commencement. Please be sure to update your permanent home address via LionPATH prior to commencement.

All graduating seniors who have earned academic distinction are eligible to receive an academic distinction cord to wear with approved academic dress at commencement ceremonies as follows:

  • Students who are graduating Summa Cum Laude will receive a blue and white cord
  • Students who are graduating Magna Cum Laude will receive a blue cord
  • Students who are graduating Cum Laude will receive a white cord

Students will receive notification from the Smeal College of Business on how to receive their academic distinction cords. Distinction levels for cords and commencement programs are determined by the student’s cumulative GPA from the semester prior to declaring intent to graduate. If students earn a higher distinction level once final grades are received, then a new cord can be requested by emailing the Smeal College of Business at .

A Note on Etiquette: Commencement is a formal academic ceremony. We encourage you and your guests to celebrate your graduation, however, we request that graduates behave with the decorum the occasion deserves. Please do not leave the commencement floor prior to the end of the ceremony; early exiting is very disruptive and disrespectful to others.

Questions? Call the Smeal College of Business Undergraduate Education Office at 814-863-1947 or e-mail .

Congratulations & best wishes in your future endeavors!

Future Graduation Dates

Summer 2023: Saturday, August 12th, 2023