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Overview

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A celebration of pride

There is truly no more joyous day on the academic calendar than commencement. It represents the culmination of exceptional diligence, determination, and achievement by our graduates. We look forward to celebrating you with your family and friends and to welcoming you to the ranks of our distinguished alumni.

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Don’t forget to order your cap and gown online by April 19 to have your regalia shipped to your home (shipping and handling fees apply). If you ordered your cap and gown online by March 1, you can pick up your regalia at the Grad Fair, April 17–18 at the TCNJ Bookstore.

Please call the bookstore at 609.359.5056 with any questions regarding cap and gown orders.

Schedule

Schedule

Livestream links for those watching from home will be added the day of the events and will be live 15 minutes prior to the start time.


8:30⁠–10:30 a.m. EST

School of the Arts and Communication

Undergraduate

11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. EST

School of Science

Undergraduate

2:30⁠–⁠4:30 p.m. EST

School of Engineering

Undergraduate

5:30–7:30 p.m. EST

School of Business

Undergraduate

FAQ

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You have questions, and we have answers.

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How do I get my cap and gown?

Order your cap and gown online by April 19 to have your regalia shipped to your home. (Shipping and handling fees apply.) Please contact the campus bookstore at 609.359.5056 with any questions.

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How do I put on my cap, gown, and hood?

Watch this short video for a quick and easy tutorial from Roscoe!

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I am graduating with honors. Will I be provided an honor cord to wear with my cap and gown?

Cords are not distributed for Latin honors. Gold honor tassels will be available at the TCNJ Bookstore during the Grad Fair, April 17–18. You should exchange the blue and gold tassel that accompanies the cap and gown for the gold honor tassel. Your honors will be printed on your diploma, which you will receive in the mail after final grades are processed. If you are part of any honor societies, please contact them directly regarding obtaining honor cords and whether they provide them or offer them for purchase.

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Where should I park? Where should my guests park?

Please follow campus signage and directions from Campus Police to designated parking areas.

Mobility-impaired guests may be dropped off at the Trenton Hall Circle. Golf carts are available to transport these guests to desired campus locations.

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Where should I go when I arrive on campus?

All graduates should head to C Street (the road between Lions Stadium and the Recreation Center) to Graduate Check In to line up for the graduate processional. Graduates should line up 30 minutes prior to their ceremony.

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What time will the Lions Stadium gates open?

The gates will open to guests 30 minutes prior to each ceremony. Guests are asked not to congregate outside of the stadium and to wait until the gates are open to enter.

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Is there assigned seating for guests?

There is no assigned seating; seating is first come, first served. Once guests have taken their seats, we ask that they remain seated for the duration of the program.

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What arrangements are in place for guests who require accessible seating?

Guests in need of accessible seating can be dropped off at Trenton Hall, where golf carts with drivers will provide transportation to Lions Stadium. Graduates will need to complete an Accessible Seating Form to request guest tickets to the accessible seating area.

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Are bags allowed in Lions Stadium?

In accordance with Lions Stadium security guidelines, we ask that all bags, packages, and containers not exceed 12”x12”x6”. Medically necessary items will be admitted.

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Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service dogs are permitted at commencement. Emotional support animals and family pets should remain at home.

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Will the ceremonies be livestreamed?

Yes, a livestream of each ceremony will be available via a link on the college’s homepage on May 16–17 or via this website. Recordings of the ceremonies will also be available in the days following the ceremonies.

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I am a double or dual major. Which ceremony should I attend?

Double majors may attend more than one school ceremony if their majors are part of two schools.

Dual education majors may attend the School of Education ceremony and the school ceremony for their content area.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Special Education, and Urban Education majors who are receiving their bachelor’s degree in 2024 as part of a five-year master’s program may attend BOTH the school ceremony for their content area AND the School of Education ceremony.

Secondary Education majors will attend the school ceremony for their major and may also attend the School of Education ceremony.

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Can guests take photos during the ceremony?

Yes, guests are permitted to take photos/videos during the commencement ceremonies. The college asks that guests be respectful of others and not obstruct their view of the event.

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Will photos be available for purchase?

Yes, professional photos taken by an external vendor will be available for purchase following commencement. Visit Lors Photography to place your order.

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Can I bring a drone to take pictures?

For the safety of all guests, please leave your personal drones at home.

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Will the bookstore be open?

Yes, the TCNJ bookstore in Campus Town will offer extended hours during the two-day commencement celebration and will have alumni gear, diploma frames, and other gifts for grads on hand. On May 16–17, it will be open 8 a.m.–8 p.m.

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What if there is severe weather?

Commencement ceremonies will take place in Lions Stadium rain or shine. In the event of severe weather, the outdoor commencement ceremonies will be held in the Recreation Center at the originally scheduled times and will be simulcast. Graduates will each have access to two tickets for their scheduled ceremony. More information will be available in late March.

Severe weather notifications will be shared via announcements on the following TCNJ platforms: the commencement website; TCNJ’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter feeds; and the tcnj.edu homepage.

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Will there be indoor viewing locations?

Yes. Guests may view live simulcasts of the commencement ceremonies at various locations on campus.

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Do guests need tickets to attend?

Tickets are not required for the outdoor Lions Stadium ceremonies unless you are reserving space in the accessible seating area.

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How many people can attend the commencement ceremonies?

We ask that graduates limit your guests to five attendees each.

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What should I wear?

The commencement ceremony is an outdoor event. Guests and graduates are encouraged to dress for the weather and to wear comfortable shoes, as the bleachers and stadium turf can get hot. High heels are strongly discouraged.

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Where can I meet my family after the ceremony?

Plan to meet your family/guests at the campus wide reception in the Brower Student Center or at an academic celebration if your department or school announces that it is holding such a celebration after your stadium ceremony. Please contact your department/school directly for more information about those celebrations. We encourage students and their guests to determine their meetup location in advance and head directly there after the stadium ceremony.

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Is food available on campus?

Yes, a reception in the Brower Student Center will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 6 p.m. on both Thursday and Friday and will feature complimentary refreshments. All are welcome!

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I am receiving a certificate and not a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Do I participate in commencement?

Certificate recipients do not participate in commencement but are invited to take part in a Graduate Certificate Ceremony on Friday, May 10, at 6 p.m. More information will follow from your department.

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How do I purchase a commemorative brick?

Show some Lions love with a personalized brick in Alumni Grove. Bricks are available in two sizes: 4”x8” ($160) and 8”x8” ($370). Each brick order includes a keepsake mini brick. Class of 2024 graduates and families receive 15% off until June 30, making the discounted prices $136 and $314.50, respectively.

Order your brick by February 16 to have it installed by commencement; mini bricks can be picked up at commencement or mailed. Bricks ordered February 17June 30 will be installed in the fall with mini brick replicas sent by mail. 

Bricks are tax-deductible with proceeds benefiting the TCNJ Alumni Association.

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How do I find my installed commemorative brick?

Bricks purchased by February 16 will be installed in the Alumni Grove (between the R. Barbara Gitenstein Library and Eickhoff Hall) in time for commencement. Orders placed February 17June 30 will be installed in the fall. Find your installed brick easily via the Alumni Brick Locator.

Travel

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Accessibility

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Parking

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Hotels

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Restaurants

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Downloads

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Commencement Swag

Keep the celebration going and roar with Lions Pride by displaying downloadable signs, photo frames, virtual backgrounds … the list goes on.

Be sure to share photos and videos on social media using #TCNJ2024.

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