Carnegie Mellon University

Please check here for the university's most recent information on commencement.

ECE Diploma Ceremonies

  • Undergraduate Ceremony: May 13, 2023 | 2-3pm | Wiegand Gym, Cohon University Center
  • Undergraduate Reception: May 13, 2023 | 3-4pm | Rangos Ballroom, Cohon University Center
  • Masters Ceremony & Reception: May 12, 2023 | 5-7pm | Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall
  • PhD Hooding Ceremony: May 13, 2023 | 11-12pm | Studio Theater, Cohon University Center
  • PhD Reception: May 13, 2023 | 12-1pm | Connan Room, Cohon University Center

ECE Commencement FAQs

Graduates should arrive 30 minutes prior to the ECE ceremony. 

  • For the PhD ceremony, students should line up outside Studio Theater in the lobby area on the first floor.
  • For the Masters ceremony, students should line up in the hallway lobby at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall.
  • For the Undergraduate ceremony, students should line up in the hallway outside Rangos.
No, all students will be given their name card when they line up for the ceremony.

No.

Yes, all graduates are required to wear a cap and gown to walk in commencement ceremonies. The University Store will host a commencement fair on March 15-16 from 10a.m. - 5p.m. for students to purchase discounted cap, gown, and graduation swag. You can also purchase regalia at the University Store or order online by April 21 to have it shipped.

You should NOT carry backpacks or purses during your ceremony. Please plan to leave any personal items with your guests, or at the Bag Check area for your ceremony location.

Bag Check Locations:

MS Ceremony: Upstairs ballroom at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall

PhD Ceremony: Caffee Room, CUC 2nd Floor

BS Ceremony: Caffee Room, CUC 2nd Floor

No, you may walk the procession and sit anywhere with fellow graduates in your ceremony. All graduates who register will receive a digital GradPass with a QR code that ECE scans before you walk across the stage. Your photo and personal message will appear on the display as you walk across the stage.
No, doctoral candidates should NOT wear their hoods to the ceremony, but instead carry them during the procession. Doctoral candidates will queue up to walk across the stage and give their hood to their faculty hooder, who will place it over the candidate’s head.
Yes, all Master’s graduates should wear their cap, gown, and hood during the procession and throughout the ceremony.
Please view this page for visa information.
No, the ECE ceremonies and receptions do not have a guest limit and will not require guest registration.
No, you will not need your diploma for the ceremony.
At each ECE reception following the ECE ceremonies, there will be a diploma pick-up table. If you do not pick up your diploma, the Registrar will mail your diploma to you. You should enter your diploma delivery address in SIO under Academic Info > Graduation and Diploma. Because students often move shortly after graduation, the university uses this address instead of your permanent address.

Bachelor’s degree students who completed their degree in August 2022, December 2022, and expected May and August 2023 graduates.

Master’s degree students who completed their degree in August 2022, December 2022, and expected May and August 2023 graduates.

Doctoral degree students who have defended their dissertation and completed all degree requirements in August 2022, December 2022, and expected May 2023 graduates.

All August 2022, December 2022, and expected May 2023 doctoral degree candidates who have defended their dissertation and completed all degree requirements prior to commencement are invited to participate. Those who have not yet defended are invited to participate in future hooding and commencement exercises.

For the UG and PhD ceremonies, the East Campus Garage is first come, first served. Once capacity is reached, guests will be directed to parking areas at Morewood, Tepper, and CIC. Please view this campus map for all parking areas.

For the MS ceremony, there is a public parking garage located below Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum, accessible via Bigelow Boulevard. More information can be found on the parking garage website.

A light reception will follow each diploma ceremony. We highly recommend guests make reservations at their desired restaurant ahead of time.