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commencement

Commencement At-A-Glance

Date & Time

Saturday, May 10, 2025, Time and Schedule TBA

Location

Bicentennial Plaza (outside) or David  V. Wise Center (inclement weather)
We will be announce the location on the morning of the event.

Open viewing is always available in Shafer Auditorium in the Campus Center, which provides comfortable seating and a big-screen showing of the ceremony.

group of 5 students at commencement

Parent & Family Info

Personalized College Announcements
Visit Jostens to view the different graduation announcement packages available to students and their families.

Diploma Frames
Diploma frames can be purchased in the Allegheny College bookstore.

Commencement Photos
Visit Grad Images to pre-register for Commencement photos.

Commencement Flowers
Purchase Commencement flowers and t-shirts online. Pre-order is available to contribute to a safe, efficient environment, & contact-free experience.

Commencement Flash Drives/Digital Downloads
Purchase Commencement jump drive and flash drive.

Commencement Safety

The safety and security of all graduates and their guests is of great importance to Allegheny College. The following security measures will be in effect throughout Commencement Weekend events and ceremony. We thank you in advance for your cooperation with these important precautions.

For Your Comfort

  • Dress for the weather
  • Water stations will be available

Prohibited Items & Activities

  • Firearms or weapons of any kind;
  • Any knife with a fixed blade or a blade larger than 4 inches;
  • Fireworks or other explosive material;
  • Hard coolers or coolers/bags on wheels;
  • Pets  (Service dogs will be permitted);
  • Smoking;
  • Alcoholic beverages;
  • Laser pointers;
  • Horns, whistles, or other noisemakers that create a nuisance or disturbance;
  • Mace, pepper spray, or similar substances;
  • Glass containers, unless necessary for baby formula or medication;
  • Objects that obstruct another person’s view of the ceremony (The use of umbrellas is not restricted, but those who use an umbrella are asked to be considerate of those around and behind them.)

Commencement Weekend Enhanced Security Procedures

  • Allegheny College Public Safety and professional security personnel will monitor all entry points to the Commencement site.
  • All bags and persons may be subject to screening when entering the Commencement site.
  • Please consider the appearance of some objects, such as key ring tools/accessories, and leave anything that could be perceived as dangerous at home or in your hotel room. We are not able to provide a storage area for these items; prohibited items listed above will be removed and not returned.
  • Unruly, disruptive or illegal behavior is prohibited. Any guest who acts in an unsafe manner, presenting hazard or risk to persons or property, may be subject to ejection, revocation of future venue privileges.

Medical/Emergency

An ambulance and EMTs will be on site for Commencement day.

Anyone who sees anything suspicious should immediately contact the Office of Public Safety at 814-332-3357.

For Campus Visitors

Your safety is extremely important to Allegheny College. Our campus emergency notification system, ALERTAllegheny, keeps the campus informed about emergency situations that may occur on campus.

ALERTAllegheny delivers time-sensitive emergency notifications via email, text messaging, website alerts, social media and outdoor warning sirens to members of the Allegheny community. Messages may be sent for weather incidents such as a tornado, or emergency situations such as an explosive device or active assailant, or if the College changes its operating status due to an emergency or weather event.

Frequently Asked Questions

My address has changed — who do I contact so my diploma is mailed to the correct address?

You must update/edit your address in self service in order to receive your diploma.  Diplomas should be mailed by mid June.

What days are Senior Week activities?

The senior class officers will discuss the celebration events for the graduating class, which are typically planned during the spring semester.

Will the College provide housing for students returning to participate in Commencement?

Unfortunately, the College does not have the capacity to house returning graduates on campus. We understand the Meadville area has limited hotel accommodations and suggest your guests look to surrounding areas such as Grove City, Edinboro, and Erie, as well as Airbnb.

How do I get my cap and gown?

All participants in Commencement must appear in cap and gown. Caps and gowns will be available in the Merriman Campus Store. PLEASE NOTE: There is no need to be measured for your cap and gown. The caps are one size fits all, and the gowns are bulk ordered by height.

January graduates who are participating and want their cap and gown mailed to them must call the Campus Store at 814-332-5369.

How do we register for the ceremony?

An email will be sent from the Office of the Registrar asking if you will be participating in the ceremony. If you do not respond to this email by the given deadline, there will be no seat or tickets held for you.

Will the ceremony be live-streamed?

Yes — information for the live stream will be on the Commencement website the day of Commencement.

Hometown Releases

Note to Parents: If you would like to send out a “hometown release”—a news release that is sent to your local newspaper to announce your student’s graduation—please contact the Office of Marketing & Communications at 814-332-2746 or news@allegheny.edu. They can provide you with a template for a news release that you can then customize for your local newspaper.

If you have any questions about Commencement events, please contact the Office of Conference & Event Services at 814-332-3101. We look forward to celebrating this memorable occasion with you. Congratulations!

Want to make the most of your weekend in Meadville?

The celebration doesn’t have to end with the Commencement Ceremony!  Be sure to check out everything else that Meadville has to offer while you’re here!

Second Saturday Community Market – Artisan vendors, live music, and local food along Chestnut St.

Crawford County Events Calendar –  A live Calendar of what’s happening across Crawford County. Provided by The Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau