Commencement: Important Information

Note: This page provides general information related to Marywood's Commencement events. For specific details, especially dates, times and instructions for participation, please consult the Commencement Guide.

Academic Attire

Caps and gowns may be picked up according to the schedule published in the Commencement Guide which is usually available by the end of March. Caps and Gowns will not be available at Mohegan Sun Arena.

All graduates participating in the Commencement ceremony must arrive wearing full academic attire: cap with tassel, gown, and hood. Only honor cords and academic medals that are officially issued by the University are permissible. 

Announcements

Graduation announcements will be available at the Cashier's Office to students graduating in May around mid-April. Students must have all of their financial obligations to Marywood University satisfied in order to receive their announcements. This includes student account balances, parking violations, and library fines.

If account balances are not paid in full, requests for transcripts and diplomas will not be granted.

Senior surveys must also be handed in at the Cashier's Office prior to obtaining the announcment packet.

Bookstore

The Marywood University Bookstore will have a stand on the concourse level at the Mohegan Sun Area on the day of the Commencement Ceremony for any last minute items you and your guests may need. Flowers will also be available for purchase at the arena on graduation day.  If you would like to special order floweres for pick-up on Commencement Day, go to www.commencementflowers.com.

Commencement Admission Card

Pick up your Commencement Admission card at the Academic Records Office in the Liberal Arts Center. You will need this card to gain entrance into the Mohegan Sun Arena. Cards will be available for pick up according to the schedule published in the Commencement Guide. Dates on which office hours will be extended will also be published.

Commencement at Mohegan Sun Arena

The doors will open one and a half hours before the ceremony for graduates and guests. Graduates and guests should enter using the East Gate entrance.

All graduates must bring their admittance card to gain entrance down to the event level of the Mohegan Sun Arena, where the Registrar's office will distribute color-coded placement cards to each graduate. You will then be taken to the staging area for your college. If a graduate arrives without a card, there will be a station set up to verify that the student is qualified to attend the ceremony. Graduates must be in full academic attire upon arrival. Graduates will line up on the lower event level of the arena.

Graduates should not bring any personal possessions (purses, cameras etc.) to the arena. Any items should be given to your guests for safekeeping. There is no secure area to keep your valuables. Marywood University and the Mohegan Sun Arena are not responsible for lost or stolen items.

The arena is a smoke-free facility. Smoking is allowed only in designated outside areas. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited inside the arena and the adjacent parking lots. The use of air horns or inflatable items is prohibited.

The ceremony will begin at the time published in the Commencement Guide. 

Conclusion of Commencement Ceremony

At the end of the ceremony, graduates will exit the arena through Gate D to the West Gate plaza area. In the event of inclement weather, graduates will exit Gate D to the concourse level of the arena.

Diplomas

The Dean of each college will announce the names of the graduates in alphabetical order by college and degree. You must be in proper order according to your color-coded number card. Student assistants will direct you as you approach the stage. You will enter the stage on the right-hand side and exit on the left after receiving your diploma folder from the University President. As you exit the stage on the left, student assistants will direct you to the Registrar's table where you will pick up your diploma insert. You will then be directed back to your seat on the arena floor.

Directions to Mohegan Sun Arena

The Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, 255 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, PA, is located off Exit 168 of Interstate 81. The arena is approximately 21 miles south of the Marywood University campus.

Hooding & Honors Convocation

Detailed instructions for the Hooding and Honors Convocation for both graduates and undergraduates are published in the Commencement Guide.

Hooding Luncheon

The Hooding Luncheon Reception will be held in the Main Dining Room, Nazareth Student Center during the times published in the Commencement Guide. Reservations must be made by using the reply card enclosed in the Commencement packet. 

Parking: Marywood University

The parking lot directly in front of the Mellow Center, located off University Avenue, has been designated as parking for those with physical disabilities and special needs only. This parking will be utilized on a first-come, first-served basis.

General Parking will be campus wide during the event. Security/Safety will direct vehicles to park in campus parking lots based on availability. General parking is available in the following lots: Mellow Center main lot, O'Neill Center lot, Visual Arts Center lot, Liberal Arts Center lot, and the Nazareth Student Center parking lot.

A shuttle service will be available to assist in the transportation of graduates from the Mellow Center to the Sette LaVerghetta Center for the liturgy. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Security Department at (570) 348-6242.

Parking: Mohegan Sun Arena

Parking is free at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Parking attendants will be available to direct traffic before and after the ceremony. Handicapped parking is available at the Mohegan Sun Arena.

Photographs

Chappell Graduation Images will photograph graduates receiving their diplomas. Chappell will mail each graduate photographed a passport sized proof within five days of the graduation, along with the opportunity to select from a variety of photo packages, with no obligation to purchase. Orders will be fulfilled and shipped within 10 days of receipt. Satisfaction guaranteed by Chappell or they will refund your money. All communications or concerns with services is to be directed to Chappell Graduation Images and not Marywood University.

Reception to Celebrate Marywood's Graduates

A Graduates' Reception will be held in the University's Liguori Center. All undergraduate students, graduate students, parents of graduating students, alumni, and faculty will be invited through a separate invitation. A reply to the reception is necessary for attendence.  Details will be included in the invitation.

Senior Week Events

Senior Week Events are published in the Commencement Guide.

Special Needs Accommodations

Marywood University, in an effort to meet the needs of its graduating students and their families, will provide special accommodations for all Commencement activities. These accommodations include reserved seating and parking for individuals with physical disabilities or hearing impairments.

Preferred seating is available only to the student's guest and one individual who will provide assistance throughout the ceremonies.

A special blue “Disability Pass” is required for entry into the reserved seating area. Both the person with the disability and the individual assisting them need to have a blue disability pass.

The blue “Disability Pass” must be picked up prior to Commencement. Any student who needs special accommodations or who may be inviting a guest with one of these special needs can obtain the pass by contacting the person designated in the Commencement Guide. If the “Disability Pass” is not obtained prior to the event, special seating may not be available. Disability seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis, seating cannot be reserved.

A university representative will be at each ceremony to show you to the reserved seating area. In addition, a sign language interpreter will be positioned on the stage for each ceremony.

Undergraduate Senior Survey

Stop by for your Senior Survey according to the dates and place published in the Commencement Guide. 

This short Senior Survey allows participating students to evaluate their personal experience with academics and campus life at Marywood University, and identifies broader strengths, weaknesses, and trends of our campus.  Your response assists us in evaluating services and programs and helps us create a community that is most enriching for our students.

Return the completed surveys as instructed in the Commencement Guide.  Once returned, and after all acounts are settled, Graduation Packets can be picked up according to the published schedule.

University Commencement Liturgy

The University Commencement Liturgy, for all graduates, families and guests, will be held in the Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Auditorium at the date and time published in the Commencement Guide. Consult the Commencement Guide for details regarding participation: where to report, procedures, etc.  Graduates are asked to remain in academic attire.

Please indicate your attendance at the Mass on the reply card.

Videotaping of Commencement Ceremony

J2K Productions will be producing a video of the Commencement ceremony. Copies of the video may be ordered using the enclosed order form found in the separate Commencement Quick Reference mailing. Orders are placed directly with J2K Productions and are normally shipped within two weeks of the ceremony.

Questions

If you have any questions regarding Commencement information, please contact the Dean of your College.  For your convenience, these names and numbers are published in the Commencement Guide.