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Commencement

Each year, we celebrate our graduates during our commencement and December graduation ceremonies.

It is time to celebrate

Commencement—one of the most important events of your college career—will take place in just a few months… what an accomplishment! 

The faculty and staff look forward to this significant day in your life. We sincerely hope that you will choose to participate in the Commencement ceremony, where you will be recognized as a new graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and welcomed as a new member of the Pitt-Bradford Alumni Association!

On the day of graduation, the ceremony livestream will be available below and on our YouTube page.

Commencement 2026

YouTube Modal Thumbnail Youtube logo

Step 1: Tickets

Initially, up to four (4) tickets will be allotted to each graduate participating in commencement exercises for seating in the KOA Arena. Additional tickets will be granted for overflow seating to watch the live stream of commencement in the Bromeley Family Theater. You will request your tickets when completing the Commencement Participation Form below. Tickets will be distributed at Graduation Central on Wednesday, April 22, or can be picked up in the Student Affairs office between Monday, April 27 and Friday, May 1.  

Pitt-Bradford is committed to making our events, like Commencement, accessible to everyone. If you have a guest who will require an accommodation or service to fully participate, please indicate this on the Commencement Participation Form. If you have any questions, please contact Chad Hockaday at cjh187@pitt.edu or 814-362-7609 at least three days prior to the event.

Step 1: Complete the Commencement Participation Form 

Step 2: Caps, Gowns, and Hoods 

Deadline to order regalia: Friday, March 13. You will order your regalia through Oak Hall’s website. You must place your regalia order by Friday, March 13.

When ordering your cap, gown, and hood, please note that recipients of the B.A., B.S., or B.S.N. degrees wear a black gown; recipients of the A.A. or A.S. degree wear a royal blue gown.

Step 2: Order Cap, Gown and Hood

The Timeline

Below are the dates, times, and locations of all Commencement-related activities. Please be sure to note these items on your calendars and to read all the enclosed information carefully.

Regalia: You must place your regalia order by Friday, March 13. 

Tickets: You must complete the Commencement Participation Form by Friday, April 10 to request your guests' tickets for Commencement. 

Graduation Central: Wednesday, April 22, 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Mukaiyama University Room, Frame-Westerberg Commons. Details below.

Graduation Cap Decorating Party: Thursday, April 30, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Mukaiyama University Room, Frame-Westerberg Commons.

Commencement Rehearsal: Friday, May 1, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the KOA Arena, Richard E. and Ruth McDowell Sport and Fitness Center. Details below.

Brunch for Graduating Students Living on Campus: Saturday, May 2, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in the KOA Dining Room, Frame-Westerberg Commons.

Graduation Celebration Reception: Saturday, May 2, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the KOA Dining Room, Frame-Westerberg Commons. Details below.

Brunch for Graduating Students Living on Campus: Sunday, May 3, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in the KOA Dining Room, Frame-Westerberg Commons.

Pinning Ceremony for A.S. in Nursing Graduates: Sunday, May 3, 11:30 a.m. in the Bromeley Family Theater, Blaisdell Hall. Details below.

Graduates Line Up for Commencement: Sunday, May 3, 1:15 p.m. in the Tom L. McDowell Fieldhouse, McDowell Sport and Fitness Center.

Commencement: Sunday, May 3, 2:00 p.m. in the KOA Arena, McDowell Sport and Fitness Center.

On-Campus Housing Closes for Graduates: Sunday, May 3, 6:00 p.m. - Campus Residence Halls

Commencement Rehearsal

Rehearsal will begin promptly at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 1, at the KOA Arena in the McDowell Sport and Fitness Center and will end by 4:30 p.m. Please make every effort to attend, as knowing what to do in advance will help the ceremony go more smoothly on Sunday. Please notify the Student Affairs Office in advance at upb.studentaffairs@pitt.edu or 814-362-7651 if you are unable to attend rehearsal.

Graduation Celebration Reception 

Detailed information on this Saturday, May 2 evening event will be sent to you next month by the Office of Philanthropic & Alumni Engagement.

A.S. in Nursing Pinning Ceremony

For graduates receiving the A.S. degree in nursing, a pinning ceremony will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 3, in the Bromeley Family Theater, in Blaisdell Hall. This is in addition to your participation in Commencement. Pinning will last no more than 30 minutes, giving you enough time to get to the McDowell Sport and Fitness Center for the Commencement processional lineup. Detailed instructions regarding the A.S. in Nursing Pinning Ceremony will be provided to you by the Department of Nursing.

Commencement Line-Up

It takes time to make sure each graduate is in the proper position for the processional. Please be sure to be in the Tom L. McDowell Fieldhouse in the McDowell Sport and Fitness Center, fully dressed in your regalia, by 1:15 p.m. sharp on Sunday, May 3.

Parking & Shuttle Vans 

On Commencement Day, a free shuttle van will run between the central part of campus and the McDowell Sport and Fitness Center, both before and after the ceremony. The first shuttle will begin to run at 12:30 p.m. We ask that as many graduates as possible park in the central campus lots and either walk or use the shuttle. This will provide parking at the McDowell Sport and Fitness Center for family members and friends who require special accommodations.

Important Information for Graduates:

Important Information for Family and Friends: