See times and locations below.

For more information about your departmental/school ceremony, please contact your school’s dean’s office or department office. The telephone numbers for schools and departments can be found in the Important Phone Numbers section.

The main ceremony in Lions Stadium is an outdoor event featuring a full academic processional, remarks by President Foster, the commencement faculty speaker chosen by the senior class, and the conferral of degrees.

Gates to Lions Stadium open at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Guests are encouraged to be seated by 2:45 p.m. The ceremony lasts about one hour with the academic procession beginning at 3 p.m.

NOTE: Graduates’ names are not announced at the main ceremony. Names are announced at your graduate’s departmental or school ceremony.

Guest seating is available in the stadium bleachers and on the field level. Tickets are not required and there is no limit to the number of guests permitted to attend this outdoor ceremony.

View the main ceremony stadium diagram

The commencement main ceremony can be viewed live, via Webcast, beginning at 2:30 p.m. on the day of the event. A link to the Webcast will be posted on www.tcnj.edu. Guests can be a part of the action on social media by using #TCNJ19.

Live simulcasts of the main ceremony will also be available in the following indoor locations on campus.

• Kendall Hall Main Stage
• Mayo Concert Hall, Music Building
• Brower Student Center, Room 100
• Recreation Center

Accommodations are available for guests that need accessible seating. More information can be found in the Accessibility section.

The main ceremony will take place rain or shine. In the event of severe weather (lightning), guests will be advised to follow the severe weather scenario.

Accessible seating and parking is available.

Accessible Seating for Main Ceremony

Reserved, ground level seating (including sightline to the sign language interpreter) is available during the main ceremony. One guest from the same party may accompany the person requiring accessible seating.

Reserved, ground-level seating (including sightline to the sign language interpreter) is available during the main ceremony. One guest from the same party may accompany the person requiring accessible seating.

Please fill out this form for accessible seating reservations. For questions, please contact Conference and Event Services at 609.771.2361.

Accessible Seating for Departmental/School Ceremonies

Contact your graduate’s academic department for accessible seating at your departmental/school ceremony.

Wheelchairs & Golf Carts

Wheelchairs can be rented at the medical supply companies below. For further information regarding pick up and return, please call the vendors.

Delcrest Medical Supplies
609.586.1679

Monroe Medical Supplies
609.395.7500

Golf carts are available to transport mobility-impaired guests to desired campus locations.

Parking/Drop Off

Only vehicles bearing state-issued handicapped license plates and/or window placards will be permitted to park in the designated special needs parking areas (Lots 4 & 14). Vehicles without handicapped plates will be permitted to drop off aged or disabled guests/passengers at Trenton Hall Circle (see map) or via Green Lane entry to Decker Parking, where your party can be escorted to the ceremony via golf cart.

Please advise your guests that walking distances between the main ceremony and the departmental ceremonies may be considerable.

Traffic will be heavy! Plan on extra travel and parking time.

Signing for the Hearing Impaired

The main ceremony will have a sign language interpreter. Reserved seating with a sight line to the sign language interpreter can be arranged for the main ceremony in Lions’ Stadium.

If you require a sign language interpreter at departmental ceremony, please make this request through the Office of Disability Support Services.

Office of Disability Support Services
Phone: 609.771.3199
Fax: 609.637.5107
Attention: Meghan Sooy, Director of Disability Support Services
Email: dss@tcnj.edu

There’s still time to pave the way to excellence by purchasing a brick in Alumni Grove!

As a member of TCNJ’s family, you are invited to leave a lasting and unchanging legacy of your own by personalizing a brick in the Alumni Grove. Bricks are available in 4×8 inch and 8×8 inch sizes and are priced at $150 and $350, respectively. Each brick order includes a free mini brick replica which will be mailed to you after the brick is placed.

Brick orders placed by February 20 will be installed in Alumni Grove prior to commencement. The accompanying mini brick replicas will be available for pickup both days of commencement from 9:30 a.m.–1 p.m. on Quimby’s Prairie.

Visit tcnj.edu/brick to order your brick.

Class of 2019 graduates, parents, and family receive 15% off!

Applying for Graduation     

Graduates must have applied for graduation via PAWS by February 21, 2019. If you have questions or would like to register, please call the Office of Records and Registration at 609.771.2141

Caps and Gowns/Severe Weather Tickets

Academic regalia is required for degree candidates at commencement. Caps, gowns, and severe weather scenario tickets must be picked up at the Graduation Fair at the TCNJ Bookstore in Campus Town, April 29-30, 2019. Graduates may keep their regalia. Tassels from the previous year’s graduation will be available to purchase at the bookstore.

Honors cords, ribbons and pins

Special cords, ribbons, and pins are not provided with regalia. Students should contact their honor society or other organization regarding any special honors regalia.

Diplomas

Diplomas are not distributed on commencement day. You will receive a diploma cover at your departmental/school ceremony. Diplomas will be mailed to the graduate’s permanent address on file with the Office of Records and Registration approximately six to eight weeks after commencement. If you have recently moved or will be moving, please be sure to notify the Office of Records and Registration of your correct address.

Line-up and Procession for Main Ceremony

Graduates  are to report to C-Street by 2:30 p.m. to line up by school for the procession into Lions Stadium for the main ceremony.

Find all of your graduation needs in one place at TCNJ’s Bookstore!

• Pick up your cap and gown along with your severe weather scenario tickets during Graduation Fair, April 29 and 30, at the bookstore.
  • NOTE: Regalia and severe weather tickets can be picked up at the bookstore up until the day of commencement. Questions? Call the bookstore: 609.359.5056
• Order your college rings 
• Order alumni gear and gifts
• Pre-order flowers to pick up on Commencement Day

Ample, free parking is available throughout campus both May 23 and 24.

Campus Police will direct guests to designated parking areas. Mobility-impaired guests may be dropped off at either the Trenton Hall Circle or the Green Lane entry to Lot #13. Golf carts are available to transport guests to desired campus locations.

Directions to TCNJ

Transportation Information

Beginning at 9:45 a.m. on Thursday and Friday, the TCNJ Commencement Reception on Quimby’s Prairie will offer complimentary food, drinks, and entertainment throughout the day. Guests are also invited to join President Foster on Quimby’s Prairie and Green Lawn after Thursday’s main ceremony for the President’s Reception to celebrate our new graduates. All are welcome.

In the event of potentially dangerous weather, i.e. lightning, Thursday’s main ceremony will be moved indoors to the Recreation Center and follow the schedule outlined in the Severe Weather Scenario:

Severe Weather Scenario Thursday, May 23, 2019

Graduates will participate in one of two main ceremonies, depending on their school. Seating is limited to two guests per graduate, and guests will require a ticket for entry. Tickets for the Severe Weather Scenario must be picked up during the Graduation Fair at the TCNJ Bookstore on April 29 and 30. Tickets are not replaceable. Guests without a ticket will be directed to a live simulcast of the ceremony in various indoor locations on campus. Departmental/school ceremonies will not be impacted by the weather and will occur as scheduled.

Methods of Notification

The decision to activate the Severe Weather Scenario will be made by 8 a.m. on Thursday. Guests will be notified in the following ways:

1. An announcement will be posted to TCNJ’s homepage, and the main page of this website.

2. TCNJ’s Facebook and Twitter feeds will be updated.

3. Callers may dial TCNJ’s hotline at 609.637.6000. The greeting on this extension will inform callers if the severe weather scenario is in effect.

General Commencement Info and Special Needs Seating Reservations, Office of Conference and Event Services: 609-771-2361

Campus Services

Schools & Departments