Commencement

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Graduates: Please check this page regularly for important information and updates.

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General schedule

Monday, May 18, 2020

9:30 am	University Commencement Procession begins Graduates interested in processing should meet on Locust Walk no later than 8:45am	Locust Walk​
10:15 am	University Commencement Franklin Field Gates open to guests at 8:30am	​Franklin Field
12:00 pm	School of Nursing Reception Graduates and families are cordially invited to join the School of Nursing faculty and staff for a reception to celebrate the graduating class!	​Claire Fagin Hall Carol Ware Lobby
5:00 pm	Graduates Arrive at Kimmel Center All graduates must check-in at the Comcast Room no later than 5 pm to participate in the School of Nursing ceremony.	Kimmel Center Comcast Room
6:00 pm	School of Nursing Commencement	Kimmel Center Verizon Hall

Checklist for graduates

Apply for Graduation & Request Tickets

A graduation application/survey will be distributed in early spring 2020; students will be able to request tickets through the survey.

Order Academic Regalia

Graduates must order their regalia through Penn Bookstore in mid-March. It will be available for pick-up the week prior to Commencement. Graduation Fair at the Bookstore Questions about regalia should be directed to mdimar@upenn.edu

Order Nursing Pin — Optional

Order information will be released soon - please check back! As part of the Commencement Ceremony for the School of Nursing, students can be “pinned” as they walk across the stage as a formal recognition that they are graduates. Typically, BSN students are pinned by members of the faculty and MSN students are pinned by their Program Director.  Students have the option to be pinned by a family member who is a School of Nursing alumnus, a reflection of their legacy at Penn Nursing. If you have a family member who is an alum and would like them to pin you at the ceremony, please email graduation@nursing.upenn.edu by Friday, March 27, 2020. Students are not required to purchase a pin, and some choose not to do so. Pin order deadline is Friday, March 27, 2020.

Pick up Graduation Tickets & Invitations

University Commencement The University supplies each graduating student with eight (8) invitations and envelopes for mailing them to family and friends. These invitations will be available in the Office of Student Services (Claire M. Fagin Hall, Suite M-18) in mid-April and are intended to be announcements only. Tickets are not required for the University Commencement ceremony. School of Nursing Commencement Ticketing information will be sent to all graduating students early in the Spring term, please check your Penn Nursing email for more information.

 

Important day-of information

Graduates must assemble in the Comcast Room at the Kimmel Center by 5 pm with their caps and gowns. 

Other information for guests

Accommodations for persons with disabilities

We will make special arrangements at the School of Nursing commencement ceremony for your guests. Please let us know their needs, including if a guest will be in a wheelchair, by emailing graduation@nursing.upenn.edu no later than Monday, March 16, 2020, so we can make the necessary accommodations. We are unable to provide transportation or wheelchairs. Please also visit http://www.kimmelcenter.org/planning/accessibility.php for more information on the venue.

Directions and Parking

The entrance to the Kimmel Center parking garage is located just south of the building’s Broad Street entrance and can be accessed only by cars traveling south on Broad Street. For Kimmel Center garage fees, a map of other parking garages in the area, and directions, please refer to http://www.kimmelcenter.org/planning/findus.php.  

Photography

The School of Nursing arranges for a professional photographer to attend graduation and photograph each graduate as they cross the stage.

• BSN and MSN graduate photos will be taken as they are congratulated by Dean Villarruel. 
• PhD graduate photos will be taken during your hooding by your faculty member and Dean Villarruel.

You will receive proofs directly from the photographer in the mail at your permanent address approximately two to three weeks after graduation. You are under NO OBLIGATION to purchase any photographs. 

University Commencement

The University Commencement ceremony will begin at approximately 10:15am at Franklin Field. Degree candidates assemble prior to this time for procession to the ceremony. For full details on the University Commencement Ceremony, please visit: http://www.upenn.edu/commencement. The Penn Parents Program also provides some helpful information for parents of seniors.