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Commencement 2023

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Commencement May 13, 2023

We are excited to recognize the academic achievement of the graduating class, honor the tradition and meaning of the ceremony, and involve students, families, and University faculty and administrators in a formal and festive event together!

Please join us for Commencement on Saturday, May 13, 2023! Check back here regularly as this page will be updated as more information becomes available.

We know that you may have friends or family that will not be able to attend this event, so we will have a live broadcast over the internet.

Livestreams & Program

Our commencement ceremonies will be streamed on YouTube and Facebook at the designated ceremony times.

(Videos will also be available after the event for viewing on the University's YouTube and Facebook channels.)

Celebrate with Us

Downloads and Links

download icon Redhawks Cap Design Download

download icon Lawn Sign Download

download icon Roberts Class of 2023 Banner

Use the hashtag #Roberts2023 to share photos, messages and advice for graduates.

Information for Students

Ceremony Information

  • 9:30 am | Adult and Graduate (AGE) Ceremony

Class Speaker-Tyler Heflin

  • 2:00 pm | Traditional Undergraduate and BELL Program Ceremony

Class Speaker- Ciara Roland

Commencement Speaker- Dwight M. (Kip) Palmer,  CEO, The Palmer Family of Companies

Please Arrive in Rinker Community Center 45 minutes before your ceremony for lineup.

Regalia

Cap and Gown Orders Orders open on February 13, 2023 –March 25, 2023

Cap & Gown pick up is in the Roberts Wesleyan University Bookstore on Mon, May 1st, 2023 to Sat, May 6th, 2023 in the  Voller Athletic Center located in the upper level of the Voller Athletic Center.

CAP AND GOWNS CAN NOT BE PICKED UP THE DAY OF COMMENCEMENT.

Please use the link below to place your Cap and Gown order online!

https://collegegrad.herffjones.com/site/welcome

For any questions regarding your cap and gown orders please contact Lou Sadowski at Sadowski_lou@roberts.edu or 585-594-6140.

Tickets

Tickets are general admission - free of charge

Students graduating in the 9:30 am AGE ceremony may request up to 6 guest tickets

Students graduating in the 2:00 pm Undergraduate ceremony may request up to 9 guest tickets

To reserve your guest tickets online, fill out the Google Form below: 

Ticket Request Form

If you have any questions about tickets, please contact Tor Nielsen at 585-594-6532 or Nielsen_Tor@roberts.edu

Special Accommodations

If you have GUESTS who will be attending your graduation who are:

  1. in need of a sign language interpreter
  2. arriving in a wheelchair (the university does not provide wheelchairs)
  3. hearing impaired and in need of an assistive listening device

Please make arrangements for them by contacting Samantha Herbert at herbert_samantha@roberts.edu no later than Monday, May 1st  so that arrangements can be made for your guests who require accommodations. Please leave a detailed message with a contact phone number in case further details are required.

If you as a GRADUATE have need for a special accommodation, are you:

  1. arriving in a wheelchair (the university does not provide wheelchairs)
  2. on crutches
  3. recovering from recent surgery with mobility challenges
  4. in need of a sign language interpreter

Bringing a service animal due to a medical condition Please make arrangements for yourself by contacting Emily Hagen at Hagen_Emily@roberts.edu or by phone at 585.594.6659 no later than Monday, May 1st so that arrangements can be made for you.  Please leave a detailed message with a contact phone number in case further details are required.


Diploma

Diplomas are anticipated to be mailed to graduates by mid to late July. Please notify the RWU Office of Registration at 585-594-6220, if you’ve changed your home address after completing the application for a degree form.

Not Participating?

If you are not planning on participating in your Commencement ceremony on May 13, please email academicaffairs@roberts.edu and copy Tor Nielsen (nielsen_tor@roberts.edu) to request that you graduate in absentia.

Flower Sale 

Flowers in ½ dozen bouquets will be available to purchase for $20.00 (check or cash only) for an hour before each ceremony. The sale locations will be outside and inside the Voller Athletic Center Arena. The flower sales will go to the Athletics Department.

Visitor Information

Ceremony Times and Dates

  • 9:30 am | Adult and Graduate (AGE) Ceremony
  • 2:00 pm | Traditional Undergraduate and BELL Program Ceremony

Special Accommodations

If you have GUESTS who will be attending your graduation who are:

  1. in need of a sign language interpreter
  2. arriving in a wheelchair (the university does not provide wheelchairs)
  3. hearing impaired and in need of an assistive listening device

Please make arrangements for them by contacting Samantha Herbert at herbert_samantha@roberts.edu no later than Monday, May 1st  so that arrangements can be made for your guests who require accommodations. Please leave a detailed message with a contact phone number in case further details are required.

If you as a GRADUATE have need for a special accommodation, are you:

  1. arriving in a wheelchair (the university does not provide wheelchairs)
  2. on crutches
  3. recovering from recent surgery with mobility challenges
  4. in need of a sign language interpreter

Bringing a service animal due to a medical condition Please make arrangements for yourself by contacting Emily Hagen at Hagen_Emily@roberts.edu or by phone at 585.594.6659 no later than Monday, May 1st so that arrangements can be made for you.  Please leave a detailed message with a contact phone number in case further details are required.


Arrival

Please arrive at the Voller Athletic Center early to ensure you have enough time to have your bags checked and find a seat. Doors will open one hour before the ceremony.

Please refer to this https://www.roberts.edu/about/campus-map/ to find parking lots and the Voller Athletic Center.

Departmental Ceremonies

Commencement Reception for AGE School of Nursing students for both the RN to BS students   and the Graduate (MSNE, MSNLA & FNP) students

Saturday, May 13, 2023 - directly after the 9:30 Commencement ceremony in Crothers' 1st floor Student Lounge

Deb Bausch is the contact person for this event (both RN to BS and Graduate Nursing).  585-594-6073 or Bausch_Deborah@roberts.edu


Senior Picnic - for Graduating Seniors in the Music Department

Friday, May 12th, from 12:00pm - 2:00pm at either Megan Resig's house (261 Peck Road, Hilton, NY, 14468) or Paul Shewan's house (36 Attridge Rd, Churchville, NY 14428). Location will be confirmed closer to the event. Please check with the Music Department for Confirmation.

Andrew Dinsmore, Administrative Assistant for the Music & Performing Arts Department is the contact person for this event. Phone: 585-594-6320, Email: dinsmore_andrew@roberts.edu


Nursing Dedication and Candle Lighting Ceremony: Honoring the senior and sophomore nursing students, and recognizing the junior nursing students

Friday, May 12, 2023 at 7:00 pm, Andrews B. Hale Auditorium in the Howard Stowe Roberts Cultural Life Center. Reception immediately following ceremony in Shewan Recital Hall, Howard Stowe Roberts Cultural Life Center

Contact Grace Stiles is the contact person for this event., School of Nursing x6459, Email: stiles_grace@roberts.edu


Psychology Senior Lunch for Undergraduate Psychology Graduates

Friday, April 28, 2023 at 11:30 am in Carpenter Hall 307

Details will be sent by invitation to students.

Contact: tanner_sharon@roberts.edu


Graduate Psychology Hooding Ceremony and Dinner for PsyD Clinical/School Psychology and MS School Psychology Graduates

Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 6:00 pm in Rinker Conference Hall (Room 102) Golisano Community Engagement Center

Details will be sent by invitation to students.

Contact: bisciotti_kelly@roberts.edu


Hooding Ceremony and Dessert Reception for MSW Graduates

Friday, May 12th at 7:00PM in the Golisano Community Engagement Center - Rm 102

Reservations are required

Contact - Ellyn Cornell at cornell_ellyn@roberts.edu or 585-594-6692