UPJ Commencement

Congratulations, Class of 2025!  We are excited to celebrate you and your accomplishments. 

Graduate Regalia

• Graduates participating in the ceremony must wear official academic regalia (cap, gown, and tassel) purchased through the Pitt-Johnstown Book Center.
• Regalia may be purchased online here or in-person at the Book Center, Student Union 1st Floor 
• Honors cords are also available to purchase. Honors requirements:
  • 60 letter-graded credits
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 as of the December term
• Regalia set (cap, gown, tassel): $36.00
• Honors cords:  $12.00
• Book Center representatives will be on-site at the ceremony to assist with any regalia issues or concerns.
• The tassel is to be worn on the graduate’s RIGHT side of the cap during the processional.
• Caps are to be worn parallel to the floor, not at an angle. 
• Grads are welcome to decorate their caps, but all content must be appropriate for this academic ceremony.
• Regalia Questions:  814-269-7100 or 1810mgr@follett.com

Tickets and Guest Arrival

• Tickets are required for guests entering the live ceremony location (Sports Center gymnasium.)  Graduates do not need a ticket.
• Doors will open for guests at 11:30 am.
• Each graduate receives (5) guest tickets
• Graduates must RSVP and purchase regalia before they can pick up their tickets.
• Tickets are available for pick-up at the Living/Learning Center (LLC) Monday-Friday, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm through Friday, April 18, 2025.
• December 2024 grads who have not picked up tickets:  Please check your email and respond to the short survey to tell us how you'd like to receive your guest tickets.
• The ceremony will be live-streamed for those celebrating virtually.  The link will be on this site the day of the ceremony.
• The livestream will also be broadcast in the comfortable air-conditioned Wellness Center gymnasium viewing area for guests without tickets.
• Commencement coordinators will be available to help direct guests upon arrival.
• Handicapped parking and seating is available. Police Officers will be on-site to assist and direct. The handicapped seating is located just inside the main entrance to the Sports Center in the upper lobby overlooking the ceremony and is first-come, first-served.
• Parking is available at the Pitt-Johnstown Sports Center, throughout campus, and at Penn Highlands Community College.
• A shuttle will be available to help transport guests from the parking areas to the venue.

Graduate Arrival

• Gradutates must arrive at the staging area dressed in their regalia between 11:00 am and 12:00 pm.
• Staging area for gradutes:  Wellness Center gymnasium
• If there is a line at the building entrance upon arrival, graduates should move to the front of the line to ensure promptness.
• Graduates will check in at the staging area and receive a card listing name, major(s), and honors, if applicable. During the ceremony, this card is handed to the announcer before going on stage. Without the card, the graduate will not be announced.  Please do not lose the card.
• Next, find the seat in the staging area with your name on it. Ceremony coordinators will provide additional instructions at this time. Please listen carefully to these instructions.
• There are several steps onto and off of the stage, so please email upjgrad@pitt.edu if you need specific ADA or mobility accommodations. 

General Information

• While it is difficult to predict precisely, the ceremony is estimated to last approximately 2.5 hours.
• Everyone is welcome to join the post-commencement reception in the Wellness Center gymnasium following the ceremony.
• A professional photography company will be on-site to take photos of the graduates as they cross the stage.  More information to come.
• University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown branded announcement cards are available through Josten's website.
• Graduates and families are welcome to visit campus – especially the Mountain Cat - for photos!  
• Other questions?  Email upjgrad@pitt.edu

Email Your Questions!