The College of New Jersey

COVID-19 Protocols

All attendees must follow TCNJ’s health and safety protocols to gain entry to this event.

Face coverings are required only while indoors on campus.
Seating inside the stadium is limited to those areas marked for guests.
Guests (a limit of four guests per graduate) must maintain appropriate physical distance from other attendees.
Anyone who is feeling ill or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should not come to campus.
All attendees must take the college’s self-checkup to check for possible symptoms of COVID-19 on the day of your planned campus visit. Be prepared to show a hard-copy printout or a screenshot on your phone of the resulting “all clear” message to gain entry. Those who do not receive this message after taking the checkup may not come to campus.
Those who do not receive this message after taking the checkup may not come to campus.
Once the ceremony has concluded, all graduates and guests are asked to return to your vehicles and to leave the campus. This will enable staff to efficiently sanitize the stadium and to seat participants and guests for the next ceremony.

COVID-19 Protocols

All attendees must follow TCNJ’s health and safety protocols to gain entry to this event.

Face coverings are required while on campus and in Lions Stadium.
Seating inside the stadium is limited to those areas marked for guests.
Guests (a limit of four guests per graduate) must maintain appropriate physical distance from other attendees.
Anyone who is feeling ill or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should not come to campus.
All attendees must take the college’s self-checkup to check for possible symptoms of COVID-19 on the day of your planned campus visit. Be prepared to show a hard-copy printout or a screenshot on your phone of the resulting “all clear” message to gain entry. Those who do not receive this message after taking the checkup may not come to campus.
Once the ceremony has concluded, all graduates and guests are asked to return to your vehicles and to leave the campus. This will enable staff to efficiently sanitize the stadium and to seat participants and guests for the next ceremony.

Self-Checkup

All attendees must take the college’s self-checkup to check for possible symptoms of COVID-19 on the day of your planned campus visit and be prepared to show a hard-copy printout or a screenshot on your phone of the resulting “all clear” message to gain entry. Those who do not receive this message after taking the checkup may not come to campus. Scan the QR code or click the link below and enter your email to access the self-checkup.

qr code
Self-checkup form

Accessibility

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 may complete the Accessible Seating Form to request guest tickets to the accessible seating area. Questions? Call 609.771.3077 or email Alanna Gutchigian, manager of conference and event services.

Accessibility

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 may complete the Accessible Seating Form to request guest tickets to the accessible seating area. Questions? Call 609.771.3077 or email Alanna Gutchigian, manager of conference and event services.

School of the Arts & Communication

School of Engineering

School of Business

School of Science

School of Humanities & Social Sciences

School of Nursing, Health and Exercise Science

School of Education

Print-at-home signs

Let everyone know there’s a TCNJ grad in the house! Download and print these PDF signs, available in multiple sizes (8.5”x11”, 11”x8.5”, 7”x10”). They can also be converted to transparent PNG files.

» Download Zip (2.3 MB) (includes all four signs)

sign

Photo frames

Show off your #TCNJ2021 graduate status with photo frames to use on social media! Download these transparent PNG images in multiple sizes (1350×1080, 1080×1350, 1080×1080, 1080×1920).

» Download Zip (2.9 MB) (includes all 12 frames)

Facebook graphics

Represent TCNJ and the Class of 2021 on Facebook! Download and use these graphics to update your cover photo.

» Download ZIP (326 KB) (includes 10 cover photos)

You can also add official TCNJ frames to your profile picture. Look for frames with this label: “TCNJ Class of 2021 by The College of New Jersey.” Instructions are available from the Facebook Help Center.

Photo backgrounds

Share your Lions Pride with these virtual backgrounds for Zoom or other video-conferencing apps. They’re available in 16×9 orientation.

» Download Zip (9.5 MB) (includes all 20 backgrounds)

green

roscoe

bronze lion

campus

bsc

eick

fountain

fointain

ssb

art imm

library

forum

science

forum

ssb

Parking

Graduates and their guests should follow campus signage and directions from Campus Police to designated parking areas.

Livestream

Livestream to come…

Shareable invitation

The more, the merrier! Invite family and friends to TCNJ’s 2020 VIrtual Commencement Convocation by downloading and sending a PDF of the official commencement invitation.

» Download PDF (134 KB) (includes one invitation)

Stickers

Send TCNJ stickers to show your pride for The College of New Jersey.

» Download available on the Apple iOS App Store

Commencement Livestream Schedule

Prelude Concerto

TCNJ Wind Ensemble and Concert Band, Eric M. Laprade, Conductor

TCNJ Chorale, John P. Leonard, Conductor

Academic Processional

TCNJ Wind Ensemble and Concert Band

Call to Order

Susanne Svizeny ’79, Chair, Board of Trustees

Grand Marshal

Matthew Bender, Professor of History and Faculty Senate President

National Anthem

Brianna Carson, Class of 2020, Accompanied by the TCNJ Wind Ensemble

Welcome

Kathryn A. Foster, President

Faculty Greetings

Michael P. Marino, Professor of History

Graduating Class Greetings

Justin Lewbel, President, Class of 2020

Presentation of Class Gift

Louis Ferrara, Vice President of Public Relations, Class of 2020
Trevor Baldwin, Treasurer, Class of 2020

Presentation of Class Gift

Lianna Doley, Vice President of Operations, Class of 2020
Sabrina Mazahreh, Secretary, Class of 2020
Peter Simons, ’98, President, Alumni Association

Musical Interlude

The Road Home by Stephen Paulus

TCNJ Chorale, Rachael Alyse Watson, Class of 2020, Soloist

Presentation of Candidate for Honorary Degree

Kathryn A. Foster, President

Presentation of Candidates for Baccalaureate Degrees

William W. Keep, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

School of the Arts and Communication

Maurice Hall, Dean

School of Business

Bozena Leven, Interim Dean

School of Education

Suzanne McCotter, Dean

School of Engineering

Steven Schreiner, Dean

School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Jane L. Wong, Dean

School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science

Carole Kenner, Dean

School of Science

Jeffrey Osborn, Dean

Conferring of Baccalaureate Degrees

Kathryn A. Foster, President

Presentation of Candidates for Graduate Degrees

Tim Clydesdale, Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies

Conferring of Graduate Degrees

Kathryn A. Foster, President

Alma Mater

Monica Alvarado, Class of 2020; Angelina Francese, Class of 2020;

Maura McFadden, Class of 2020;

Accompanied by the TCNJ Wind Ensemble and Concert Band

Academic Recessional

TCNJ Wind Ensemble and Concert Band

Parking

Ample free parking is available throughout campus on both May 21 and 22.

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 (Decker Garage). Golf carts are available to transport these guests to desired campus locations.

Directions to TCNJ

Transportation Information

Accessibility

Accessible seating and parking is available.

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

Please contact Conference and Event Services at 609.771.2361 for accessible seating reservations. Contact your graduate’s academic department for accessible seating at the academic ceremony. Please fill out this form for accessible seating reservations.

If you need a sign language interpreter at an academic ceremony, please contact Disability Support Services at 609.771.3199 at least two weeks prior to commencement convocation.

Wheelchairs can be rented from the following 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.

Guest Parking

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

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 and 14).

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 commencement convocation 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 Disability Support Services.

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

TCNJ Bookstore

Find all of your graduation needs in one place at the TCNJ Bookstore in Campus Town.

Pick up caps and gowns at the Graduation Fair, held April 20–21, 2020, from 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Order your college rings.
Order alumni gear and gifts.
Pre-order flowers to pick up on Commencement Day.

Info for Graduates

Applying for Graduation

Graduates must have applied for graduation via PAWS by February 20, 2020. If you have questions or would like to register, please call Records and Registration at 609.771.2141

Academic Regalia/Caps and Gowns

Academic regalia is required for degree candidates. Caps and gowns must be picked up at the Graduation Fair at the TCNJ Bookstore in Campus Town, held April 20–21, 2020, from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Graduates may keep their regalia.

NOTE: 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

During academic ceremonies, graduates will receive a diploma cover, but not their actual diploma. Graduates will receive diplomas by mail approximately six to eight weeks after commencement and should confirm with Records and Registration prior to commencement that their address on file is accurate. Any outstanding financial obligations (e.g., parking tickets, library fines, student loan exit interviews, etc.) will prevent graduates from receiving diplomas or transcripts.

Important Numbers

General Commencement Info and Special-needs Seating Reservations, Conference and Event Services: 609.771.2361

Campus Services

Office/Service	Phone	E-Mail
Disability Support Services	609.771.3199	sooym@tcnj.edu
Records and Registration—Undergraduate Students	609.771.3241	winfield@tcnj.edu
Records and Registration—Graduate Students	609.771.2830	balle@tcnj.edu
Student Accounts	609.771.2172	stuaccts@tcnj.edu
Student Financial Assistance	609.771.2211	osfa@tcnj.edu
TCNJ Bookstore (Cap and gown information)	609.359.5056	bkstore@tcnj.edu

Schools and Departments

School/Department	Phone
School of the Arts and Communication	609.771.2278
Art and Art History	609.771.2652
Communication Studies	609.771.2107
Interactive Multimedia	609.771.2173
Journalism and Professional Writing	609.771.2895
Music	609.771.2551
School of Business	609.771.3064
School of Humanities and Social Sciences	609.771.3434
African American Studies	609.771.2138
Criminology	609.771.2442
English	609.771.2298
History	609.771.2341
International Studies	609.771.2472
World Languages and Cultures	609.771.2235
Philosophy and Religion	609.771.2438
Political Science	609.771.2472
Psychology	609.771.2485
Sociology	609.771.2670
Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies	609.771.2539
School of Education	609.771.2100
Early Childhood Education	609.771.2252
Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing	609.771.2308
Elementary Education	609.771.2252
Special Education, Language, and Literacy	609.771.2308
Secondary Education and Educational Administration	609.771.2395
School of Engineering	609.771.2538
School of Nursing, Health and Exercise Science	609.771.2591
Health and Exercise Science	609.771.3034
Nursing and Public Health	609.771.2591
School of Science	609.771.2724
Biology	609.771.2371
Chemistry	609.771.2434
Computer Science	609.771.2268
Mathematics and Statistics	609.771.2269
Physics	609.771.2569
Career and Community Studies	609.771.3342
Graduate Studies	609.771.2300
TCNJ Army ROTC	609.771.3169

Commencement Convocation

The commencement convocation in Lions Stadium is an outdoor event featuring an academic procession; remarks by President Foster, the senior class president, and a faculty speaker chosen by the senior class; and the collective conferral of degrees. The event typically lasts about an hour.

NOTE: Graduates’ names are not announced during the outdoor event. Please see the Academic Ceremonies section of this site.

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 event. Accessible seating is available.

To participate in commencement activities, students must have applied for graduation through Records and Registration. If your student has not applied, please encourage him or her to contact that office.

View stadium diagram for commencement convocation (PDF)

Brick Campaign

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 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.

Brick orders placed by March 9 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 2020 graduates, parents, and family receive 15 percent off until June 30!

Severe Weather

In the event of severe weather, the outdoor commencement convocation will not be held. In lieu of the convocation, prerecorded video of the president and other speakers may be incorporated into the academic ceremonies—which will take place regardless of the weather. These recordings also will be available on the TCNJ website.

Severe weather notifications will be shared via announcements on the following TCNJ platforms:

Webcast/Social Media

A live webcast of the commencement convocation will begin at 11:30 a.m. and can be accessed via a link on the commencement website and at tcnj.edu. Guests can also be a part of the social media action by using #TCNJ20. Guests may view a live simulcast of the commencement convocation in various indoor locations on campus.

Academic Ceremonies

While the commencement convocation is a wonderful TCNJ tradition, things get personal at the academic ceremonies: You’ll hear your graduate’s name announced and he or she will receive a diploma cover. You’ll have a chance to hear from and meet faculty and other students who worked closely alongside your graduate over the past several years, helping to shape their memorable TCNJ experience.

Locations accommodate up to five guests per graduate, and tickets are not required. For more information, please contact the individual department. This special ceremony will take place regardless of the weather.

Commencement Ceremonies

Event Photography

You have questions, and we have answers.

How do I get my cap and gown?

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

Where should I park? Where should my guests park?

Where should I go when I arrive on campus?

How will I obtain my tickets?

Will additional guest tickets be available?

What time will the Lions Stadium gates open?

Is there assigned seating for guests?

Will the stadium seats be cleaned between ceremonies?

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

What COVID-19 guidelines do my guests and I need to follow?

Will I be required to take a COVID-19 test before coming to campus for commencement?

Will the ceremonies be livestreamed?

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

Can guests take photos during the ceremony?

Will photos be available for purchase?

Will any restrooms be available?

Will flowers or balloons be available for purchase at the ceremony?

Will food and beverage be available for purchase?

Will the bookstore be open?

Accessibility

COVID-19 Protocols

Parking

Accessible seating and parking is available.

Guest Parking

Signing for the Hearing Impaired

Applying for Graduation

Academic Regalia/Caps and Gowns

Diplomas

Campus Services

Schools and Departments