University Commencement Ceremony in May
Unless the weather has turned absolutely foul, the May ceremony will be held outdoors at the Miller Stadium. If you plan to attend the field ceremony, please dress accordingly. All graduating students will be asked to participate and should come to the rear parking lot for Zink Hall around 10:00 am on the day of commencement for the processional lineup, already wearing their graduation robes. The procession of the students into the stadium will begin promptly at 10:30 am. For all family members, relatives and friends, there is open seating in the stadium bleachers, no tickets necessary. The formal ceremony begins at 11:00 am. This main ceremony features an invited speaker and honorary degree recipient.
Inclement Weather
Because the ceremony will be an outdoor event, please advise your guests to come prepared for inclement weather. A decision to cancel the University Commencement Ceremony will be made no later than 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 10. The cancellation announcement will be available on the IUP website, will be broadcast on local radio stations, and may be heard on the IUP Information Line (724-357-7538). Departmental ceremonies will be held at their scheduled times.
If the outdoor university commencement ceremony is cancelled, it will be held indoors at 11:00 a.m. in Memorial Field House. Graduates will be limited to two guest tickets for the field house ceremony. These rain plan tickets were available beginning at the Salute to Graduates event.
Alternate viewing sites with a live video feed will be available. Directional signs will be posted and tickets will not be required for these alternate viewing sites.
Undergraduate Honors
In order to receive an honors medallion to wear at the May graduation ceremony, undergraduate students who have earned a minimum of 3.25 cumulative grade point average and who have met all the requirements for the awarding of the IUP academic honors by the last graded semester may pick up their medallion either at the Spring semester “Salute to Grad” event or anytime after that day from the Registrar's Office in Clark Hall. For any undergraduate students who did not have the required minimum 3.25 cumulative grade point average prior to the ceremony, but who will have achieved this once the final semester grades are posted, their honors medallion will be mailed to them along with their diploma. Students who have achieved academic honors when the final degree checkout is made will have the honors posted on their diploma.
Diplomas
Diploma covers are presented at Commencement ceremonies. The actual diploma will be sent to each graduate after the student’s final academic record has been checked for completing all graduation requirements and final grades. The diploma is sent usually within four to six weeks after the semester, mailed to the address that was indicated by the student on his/her graduation application.
Questions about graduation regalia and commencement announcements should be directed to the Co-op Store. The phone number is (800) 537-7916. Local dialers may dial (724) 357-3145. Dial “O” for operator once you are connected.
Academic Regalia
Faculty planning to participate in the academic processions at commencement are reminded that the deadline for ordering rental regalia at the Co-op Store is April 8. Graduates should be in touch with the Co-op Store and should try to attend Salute to Grads.