Fitchburg State University will hold its undergraduate commencement ceremony on the main quadrangle at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 17. The processional will begin promptly at 9:50 a.m. Please arrive no later than 9 a.m.
The ceremony will also be streaming live on FATV. The livestream will be shared at the following indoor locations on campus:
- Hammond Hall, 160 Pearl St.
- Falcon Hub
- Ellis White Lecture Hall
- Conlon Fine Arts Building, 367 North St.
- Kent Recital Hall
Following the ceremony, there will be a reception on the Hammond Promenade (between Hammond Hall and Thompson Hall).
Action Items for Graduation
Undergraduate Commencement Booklet (PDF)
Clearance for Graduation and Confirmation of Attendance
To confirm you have been cleared to participate in graduation as well as to indicate if you will attend, please log into MyFalcon and click on View Application to Graduate.
If, while your file is being reviewed for graduation, the Registrar finds that you meet the requirements for participating in the ceremony (two classes or one internship left to take), you will be invited to attend the ceremony
It is essential that we know the exact number of students attending the ceremony. If you will not be able to attend, please contact the Registrar’s Office by Friday, May 2 at 978.665.4196 or registrar@fitchburgstate.edu.
Transcripts and Important Information
If you took courses at another university, transcripts must be received by May 23, 2025. All unresolved obligations such as library fines, student loans, unpaid bills, and residence hall damages must be resolved before an official transcript will be issued.
Caps and Gowns
Caps and gowns can be purchased through the bookstore in Hammond Hall or through the bookstore’s website. The Bachelor's package is $40. See the bookstore website for hours but during commencement week they'll be open Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sat. 8 - 11 a.m. Please contact the bookstore directly with any questions concerning academic regalia at 978.665.4026.
Senior Activities
Any questions you may have regarding senior class activities should be directed to the Office of Student Development at studentdevelopmentnews@fitchburgstate.edu.
Diplomas
At graduation, you will receive a diploma cover with a certificate enclosed. All diplomas will be mailed to graduates by early July. Your name will be engraved on your diploma as you indicated on your graduation application.
Ceremony Information
Commencement Ceremony Schedule
Commencement is scheduled for Saturday, May 17 at 10 a.m. on the main quadrangle of the Fitchburg State campus. There is no commencement rehearsal. The processional will begin promptly at 9:50 a.m. Please arrive no later than 9 a.m. and report to the area near the flagpoles at Highland Plaza on Highland Avenue on the street side of the Anthony Building. Guests will not be allowed to enter this area. There is no designated area for robing, so please arrive at Highland Avenue in cap and gown. The ceremony will be approximately three hours long.
Seating areas for guests will open at 8:30 a.m. Please note that there are no tents to shade the sun or ward off raindrops, so plan accordingly. Commencement can also be viewed streaming online at FATV (and digital downloads of the ceremony will be posted later at fatv.org/fsu).
Graduates will be lined up alphabetically within their school and major. All undergraduate students who are eligible for honors will receive honors medallions to wear with their commencement robes. You will be given an index card on which your name has been typed. If you have a name that is difficult to pronounce, please provide the phonetic spelling. When you approach the platform, this card will be handed to the reader. The chair of your program will lead their graduates onstage and present you to the president and school dean. Your name will be read as you cross the stage to receive your diploma cover from the president. Please return to your seat promptly upon exiting the stage.
Commencement Ceremony Decorum
Commencement is a true milestone for each and every student. We welcome your excitement and enthusiasm as we celebrate this grand occasion. We also ask that our graduates and their guests respect the importance and dignity of the proceedings by staying for the entire ceremony. Guest who leave early may distract from the event, which would be disrespectful to the other graduates and their families.
Parking
Directions to the campus and parking lots can be found on our maps and directions page. Shuttle buses will be in operation to and from the Civic Center between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Graduates and Guests with Disabilities
Graduates and any guests who have a disability can request accommodations through Disability Services. To request accommodations, please complete the disability accommodations form by May 7 or contact Disability Services by phone 978.665.4020 or email aernst2@fitchburgstate.edu. All requests will be reviewed, and seating and/or parking passes will be mailed to the address provided.
The ceremony will be ASL interpreted. Please contact Disability Services to discuss seating near the ASL interpreter. Large print and Braille copies of the commencement program are available with advance notice. The event will be captioned live online at fitchburgstate.edu/captioning. Guests requesting accommodations are allowed to have one additional guest seated with them.
Photographs
During the ceremony, access to the stage area for picture taking or videotaping by guests will be prohibited. Please relay this information to your guests. A professional photograph will be taken as you receive your diploma cover and congratulations from the president, and a free digital download will be sent to your university email address courtesy of the Fitchburg State University Alumni Association.
Campus Buildings and Services
All buildings will be open for restroom facilities. Medical services will be located in Hammond Hall. There will be several water stations throughout the quad. Snacks and water will also be available for purchase.