Commencement 2012

The 2012 GSE Commencement Ceremony will be held on Saturday, May, 12th at 10AM at Franklin Field. Doors will open for guest seating at 8:30AM, the processional will begin at 9:45AM, and the ceremony will end at 12Noon.  Although you may bring an unlimited number of guests to the GSE Commencement Ceremony and tickets are not required, we do need an accurate count for seating and reception catering so RSVP's are required.  The commencement speaker is Dr. Robert Slavin, faculty and Director of the Center for Research and Reform in Education at Johns Hopkins University.

RSVP for the GSE ceremony May 1 here.

Graduates must arrive at 9AM on the North side of Franklin Field to register & line up for the processional. We strongly recommend that you allow sufficient time to arrive early. 

The ceremony will begin with a welcome from the Dean, followed by the commencement address. After the keynote address, each doctoral student will be called onto the stage to be hooded by the advisor/chair and have the degree conferred.

Then each master's student will be called onto the stage and have the degree conferred. A photographer will be present to take a picture of each graduate on stage. After the degrees have been conferred, graduates and guests are invited to a division or program reception on campus. Reception details for each division will be emailed to graduates and listed on the commencement program.

Regalia

Academic regalia is required for degree candidates at Commencement. For the brochure on Penn academic regalia click here. Graduate student rental regalia will be distributed on the second level of the Penn Bookstore near the textbook department May 10-13th from 11AM to 6PM. More information is available on the Penn Bookstore web site.

You must bring/wear your regalia to Franklin Field to participate in the ceremony. We do not have spare caps and gowns. Students without a cap and gown are not permitted to march in the ceremony.

Articles of clothing which will be visible at the neck and below the gown should be in keeping with the conservative style of the academic attire. High heels should not be worn by graduates as they may damage the athletic track and field. The hood should be secured so that it will not slip off the shoulders - you should bring a safety pin for this purpose. The cap, which needs bobbi pins to stay on your head, is worn parallel to the ground; the tassel is worn in front and on the right side until the degree has been conferred.

In case of inclement weather, please be advised that the dye in the gown may stain clothing.

Prepare for the Weather

Philly weather is unpredictable! It could be hot, cold, damp, windy, raining...or all of these. Check the forecast and dress accordingly.

Rain Plan

In the event of severe weather, the location will be changed to the Palestra, which is directly north of Franklin Field. This decision will be made by 8:00 a.m. on May 12th; updates will be available on this website, at KYW 1060 AM, and on the GSE Commencement Hotline, 215.573.GRAD.

If the ceremony is moved to the Palestra, graduates should enter the west door by 9:00 a.m. They will register, then be seated by the marshals.

When and How You'll Receive Your Diploma

Diplomas are mailed by the University via First Class mail and will be sent to the permanent address listed in Penn-in-Touch, unless a different address is specified in the “Temporary Address Field” effective from June 1 – September 30.  International diplomas are sent via registered mail and can take up to eight weeks for delivery.  International students who are planning to stay in the U.S. through September 30 should designate a temporary U.S. address in Penn-in-Touch or contact the Diploma Coordinator to arrange to pick up the diploma from the Office of the University Secretary.  Please click here for more information.

The University Commencement Ceremony will be held on Monday, May 14th in Franklin Field at 9:30AM. Complete information is available here. Graduates are encouraged to attend both the University and GSE commencement ceremonies. See full details in the brochure for the University Commencement.

The University supplies each graduating student with 8 announcements and envelopes for mailing to family and friends.  These invitations are available at the 1st floor reception desk GSE, 3700 Walnut Street in early April. Graduates may bring an unlimited number of guests to the University Commencement Ceremony and tickets are not required.

Questions? Please email Cindy Rossley or call 215-898-6456.

Parking

We strongly recommend that all attendees arrive early and allow ample time for parking. Click here for a campus map showing Franklin Field. Click here for a map of all campus parking lots.

Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities

Franklin Field is accessible to persons with disabilities. Doors will open for handicapped-accessible seating at 8:15 a.m. We recommend that guests with disabilities arrive at the southwest gate of Franklin Field (corner of Spruce/South Street and 33rd St.), where they will be directed to wheelchair-accessible seating. Click here for a map of Franklin Field with the southwest gate marked.

We regret that we are unable to provide wheelchairs for guests, but staff in golf carts will be available to transport guests with disabilities from the Franklin Field southwest entrance to the guest seating area. Please contact Cindy Rossley at 215.898.6456 to request seating for guests with disabilities.

At 8:30 a.m., all other guests may enter at the southeast entrance (corner of South Street and Convention Avenue) and be seated on the field.  

Questions about GSE Commencement? Contact Cindy Rossley at 215.898.6456.