Do you have a voice that resonates with your fellow graduates? Are you passionate about inspiring others and sharing your unique perspective? Here’s your chance to shine!

We are looking for up to two graduates to deliver the student address at this year’s Commencement ceremony. Winners will be chosen by the Student Speaker Selection Committee.

Theme:

“How has your Cedar Crest College experience transformed and prepared you to make an uncertain world a better place?”

Timeline:

• Submissions are due Wednesday, March 27, 2024.
• Finalists present their speeches the week of April 1, 2024.
• Winners announced the week of April 8, 2024.

Prize:

Each winner will receive $100!

For more information and to submit your speech, CLICK HERE.

Academic Regalia is required for Espejo, Hooding, and Commencement ceremonies.

Grads are responsible for ordering regalia through Herff Jones. The cost is covered by the graduation fee that was included on your term bill.

Deadline to order regalia and any other supplies is 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.

Order online at herffjones.com » 

• After you click on “Cap and Gown,” you need to choose your degree program – bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral.
• On the next page, you can purchase a “Graduation Package” which bundles your regalia with other optional Commencement supplies at a discounted price.
• If you want to order regalia ONLY, click “Cap and Gown” in the blue headers along the top, and you will be directed to the page showing no cost for regalia only.

Academic regalia will be delivered to the College Bookstore 1-2 weeks prior to Commencement.

• Grads will be notified of pick-up dates and times by email.
• The shipping address you enter during the ordering process ONLY applies to optional supplies such as announcements and diploma frames.
• A demonstration of how to wear your regalia will be provided during our virtual Commencement Rehearsal – details to come.

Show off your style:

• Caps and tassels are yours to keep!
• We love to see those decorated caps. See “Cap Decoration” and “Dress Code” for more details.

How to return your rentals:

• Gowns and hoods are rentals and must be returned at the PPL Center following the ceremony.
• If you are unable to return your gown and hood at the PPL Center, can also visit the College Bookstore on the lower level of the Tompkins College Center from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 11.
• Optional Commencement supplies such as announcements and diploma frames are available for purchase from Herff Jones as well.

• Honor cords for students graduating cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude may be purchased through the College Bookstore once final GPAs are determined in mid- to late-April.
• Delphi honor cords are provided by the Office of the Provost. Graduates receiving Delphi cords will be contacted by the Office of the Provost prior to Commencement.
• Other honor cords may be provided by the academic departments. Check with your professor or the department chair for more information.

Heritage and Identity Stoles 

Heritage and Identity Stoles are meant to commemorate your Cedar Crest experience, including academic achievements, extracurricular activities, study abroad or Sophomore Expedition destination, or to show pride for your identity, heritage, or culture.

Heritage and Identity Stoles can be purchased from the College Bookstore through Friday, May 3, 2024. Stoles will be distributed immediately before Espejo: Reflections of our Community.  Further information about pick-up will be shared at a later date.

The following varieties are available:

A.  Asian Pacific Islander Stole
The stole pattern for Asian and Pacific Islanders is typically adorned by flowers and includes red with gold or yellow to represent colors used in the islands and in Chinese culture. The pattern serves to celebrate the rich and diverse heritage of Asian and Pacific Islander people.

B.  Cedar Crest Stole with Ginkgo Leaf
The ginkgo is a symbol of longevity, hope and peace. For students, Cedar Crest is also a place of hope. Students celebrate their Cedar Crest pride with a stole adorned with the Cedar Crest logo—honoring their dedication and love for their alma mater.

C.  Falcon Athletics Stole
Cedar Crest College embraces and supports our student-athletes’ desire to be successful, both in the classroom and on the playing field. Athletes proudly wear the Falcon Head stole to show that athletics was an integral part of their educational process.

D.  Kente Stole
Kente cloth, a symbol of African heritage originating with the Asante tribe in Ghana, West Africa, dates back to the 12th century and was once favored by African royalty. The Kente cloth is meant to be worn during special occasions and this design serves to celebrate the success of our Black graduating students.

E/F.  Latinx and Sarape Stoles
Sarape stoles are fabricated using a traditional Mexican striped weave pattern and serve to express pride in the heritage of Mexicans and Latin Americans.

G.  LGBTQA+ Stole
The LGBTQA+ stole serves to express pride in one’s Gender and Sexuality Diversity (GSD) and to honor and acknowledge the achievements and contributions of our GSD graduates.

H.  Native American Stole
Using a traditional Navajo pattern from Southwest Cochiti, New Mexico, a location populated by indigenous peoples for centuries, this stole serves to celebrate a connection with American Natives.

I.   Veteran Stole
The navy blue Veteran stole commends graduating students for their service in the United States military.

J. First Generation Stole – NEW!
The first generation stole serves to celebrate the accomplishments of students who are the first in their families to graduate college.

K. International and Study Abroad Stoles

International stoles provide visual recognition perfect for representing countries of origin or a student’s study abroad experience. Each stole is decorated with emblems or colors representing that country’s flag.

Questions about Heritage and Identity Stoles?  Contact Breanna Ganther in the College Bookstore at  or 610-740-3765.

Each graduate participating in the Commencement ceremony is entitled to order guest tickets through the PPL Center’s online ticketing system. There is no cost for tickets and no limit to the number of tickets a grad can order.

Please note: ONLY graduates who have completed the Commencement Attendance Form will be notified via email when online ticketing is open — typically in late April or early May.

• Once you click on the ticketing link, you will be asked to enter your email address and password to create an account with the PPL Center. You can use any email address – your Cedar Crest account or a personal email – and whatever password you choose.
• A ticket is required for any guest entering the PPL Center for the Nursing Pinning and Commencement ceremonies, except for children under two years of age.
• Tickets can be printed or shown on a mobile device.  Tickets will only scan once, and per the PPL Center’s policies, anyone attempting to use a duplicate ticket will be denied entry to the arena.
• Guest seating is unassigned and available on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the ceremony. Guests should refrain from saving seats and are asked to respect reserved signs and accessible seating that may be put up by the PPL Center or the College.

Graduates, faculty, staff and trustees participating in the ceremony do not require tickets.

Dress Code

• Wear business casual attire under your gown for Commencement.
• No corsages or jewelry can be pinned onto your gown (academic or leadership pins are acceptable).
• Wear comfortable shoes. No flip-flops or extremely high heels. Between standing, walking, and spending time with your guests, you’ll be putting quite a bit of pressure on your feet.
• Tassels are worn on the right and moved to the left of your cap when instructed to do so.

Cap Decoration

Caps can be decorated; however, please use good judgment and be tasteful. No vulgar, foul, or questionable language or imagery. We look forward to seeing your creative and inspiring designs!

All graduates are invited to have a professional portrait taken by our vendor, Island Photography.  The spring date for Senior Portraits is Tuesday, April 9, 2024.  Information about how to sign up will be shared via email and on this webpage when it’s available.

Graduation Fair will take place virtually as a module in the Commencement 101 Course on Canvas. All eligible graduates will be enrolled in the course and notified once it is made live in late March.

Join us to learn more about:

• Graduate programs
• Alumnae Association membership
• Job searching, resume writing and interviewing tips
• Settling outstanding balances, loan exit counseling or financial aid
• Class standing or academic honors
• Regalia, Identity and Heritage stoles, honor cords and other Commencement supplies

Commencement Rehearsal will take place virtually as a module in the Commencement Course on Canvas. All eligible graduates will be enrolled in the course and notified once it is made live in late March.

The virtual Commencement Rehearsal will cover information such as:

• How to dress in your academic regalia
• Explanation of the academic procession and counting graduates into their seats at the PPL Center
• Appropriate behavior and dress code
• Name pronunciation for announcement during the Ceremony
• What to expect during the ceremony – how to walk across the stage, etc.
• Answers to graduates’ questions