35th Annual Commencement Ceremony
Thursday, May 14, 2020 at 6 p.m.
Held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown Hotel
(Formerly the Radisson Hotel)
As both a college and a campus of the University of New Hampshire, we host an annual commencement ceremony for our students here in Manchester.
The ceremony is a very special occasion for students and families. It's also very important to the faculty and staff who have mentored and supported the students along the way.
The personal attention students receive here is carried through graduation as each student name is called and they walk across the stage to accept their University of New Hampshire diploma.
The deadline to file your intent-to-graduate form online is March 20, 2020 (see instructions below). After that date, you must contact the registration office at (603) 641-4136 for information on how to file.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
File an Intent-to-Graduate form at the beginning of your final semester of study. Forms may be filed electronically through MyUNH / Webcat > Student Records > Graduation > Apply to Graduate. This form must be filled out in order to receive an invitation to participate in the ceremony.
You may also want to take a look at this Graduate FAQ.
For additional assistance, please contact the Registration office at (603) 641-4136.
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Graduate students must file their intent-to-graduate online. Visit the Grad School page for more information.
Please complete the registration form before April 13, 2020 in order to be included in the printed program.
REQUIREMENTS
Caps and Gowns (regalia) are required for all faculty and graduates participating in the commencement ceremony.
Gown styles differ for Bachelor, Masters and Ph.D. candidates. Associate degree candidates wear Bachelor's gowns. All graduate gowns at UNH are black. Masters candidates have hoods with colors that correspond to academic degrees. Ph.D. candidates wear a hood specific to UNH. The cap and gown vendor knows what is required and will provide you with the appropriate regalia.
CAP AND GOWN PURCHASE AND PICK UP
Students are required to order their own cap and gown online by April 24 (orders may be placed beginning January 31, 2020). Caps and gowns may be mailed directly to your house or picked up at the Commencement Fair on April 29, 2020 (see info below).
COMMENCEMENT FAIR
Wednesday, April 29
3:00-6:00 pm
UNH Manchester (Room 201)
88 Commercial Street
Manchester, NH 03101
If you are unable to attend the Commencement Fair please contact Dana Pierce dana.pierce@unh.edu to arrange to pick up your cap and gown on an alternate date.
PRE-ORDERS AND PRICING
Order your cap and gown online. Orders must be placed online by April 24, 2020.
Pre-orders can be shipped to you, or can be picked-up at the Commencement Fair, to be held at UNH Manchester in room 201 on April 29, 2020, 3PM-6PM.
Bachelor and Masters students purchase gowns because the negotiated buying price is less than the cost of renting. Pricing listed includes: gown, mortar board, tassel, and for Masters and Ph.D. gowns, the appropriate hood.
Shipping-$14.50 (graduates may choose to have cap and gown shipped to 88 Commercial for pick-up at the graduation fair for FREE)
Bachelor (Gown, Cap & Tassel): $17.00
Master (Gown, Cap, Hood & Tassel): $33.40
QUESTIONS
If you have questions or concerns about your order or the ordering process, please contact University Cap and Gown, our independent vendor at 1- 844-711-6100.
COMMENCEMENT FAIR
DATE TBD
3:00-6:00 pm
UNH Manchester, MPR (Room 201)
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
Thursday, May 14, 2020
Doubletree by Hilton Manchester Downtown
4:30 pm, Students meet at the function center to robe to check-in and line up
6:00 pm, Ceremony begins
7:30 pm (estimated), Ceremony ends
Please contact Dana Pierce at (603) 641-4348 or dana.pierce@unh.edu with any questions.
GUEST TICKETS
Seating for commencement is limited. Guests will be required to present a ticket for seating. Guests who do not have tickets are welcome to stand. Students who filed a Commencement participation form by April 13, 2020 are eligible to receive up to five guest tickets for the ceremony. Tickets can be picked up at the Commencement Fair, to be held on April 29, 2020 from 3 - 6 pm in the Multipurpose Room (Room 201). Depending on availability, three additional tickets per student may be available after May 1 at the Registration Office, on a first come, first serve basis.
Strollers, carriages and large carriers will not be permitted in the seating area. Guests may leave their strollers at an attended check area or may relinquish their seat for the standing area where they may be accompanied by their strollers.
GUESTS WITH DISABILITIES
Students are asked to provide us with information regarding special accommodations for themselves and their guests. Please contact Dana Pierce at (603) 641-4348 or Dana.Pierce@unh.edu at least two weeks before the ceremony so we can best assist you. UNH Security Officers and ushers will be available during the ceremony to offer additional assistance.
PARKING
Parking is available at the Center of New Hampshire parking garage. The entrances are on Granite Street and on West Central Street. Guests may validate their parking ticket inside the event. Parking will cost $6.00 when you present the validated ticket.
You may also choose to park at UNH Manchester (88 Commercial Street) and walk to the ceremony location.
Please note that the garage exits do get congested immediately following the ceremony when everyone is leaving.
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown
Loyalty Program 2020 Rate $139 night for standard accommodations
Corporate ID is 3205161
PARTICIPATION
Faculty must register by April 29 if they plan to participate in the Commencement Ceremony.
Faculty who do not register or arrive late for the procession cannot be guaranteed seating in the faculty section. All faculty from all schools and colleges, full-time, part-time, emeriti, tenured, adjunct, etc. are invited and encouraged to participate in the Commencement Ceremony.
The Commencement ceremony is expected to end by 7:30 p.m. Faculty members are invited to stay after the ceremony to congratulate the graduates.
Regalia
Formal academic regalia, as determined by your highest degree and the institution at which it was earned, is required for both ceremonies. Faculty members must bring your own regalia or order a rental by April 28, 2019.
If you do not own regalia, it may be rented or purchased by visiting the Faculty Regalia Registration Home Page. Contact Dana Pierce if you have questions at dana.pierce@unh.edu.
Faculty are responsible for all charges associated with the rental, purchase and shipping of regalia.
PARKING
Parking for staff and faculty with a valid UNH Manchester parking permit will be available in the UNH Manchester lot at 88 Commercial on a first come first serve basis. Parking will also be available in the Radisson garage for $6 with a validated ticket - validation inside the event center.
GradImages® is the official photographer for Commencement. A proof of student photos will be available after the ceremony. To view your proofs online, please visit the GradImages site. Pictures may be ordered online, by phone, or by mail. If you have any questions please contact Customer Service at 1-800-261-2576 or via email at giservice@gradimages.net.
Do you have questions? Contact Dana Pierce at (603) 641-4348 or Dana.Pierce@unh.edu.
Diplomas are mailed 8-12 weeks after a student graduates and it is sent to the address listed intent-to-graduate form s/he submitted. Any questions regarding diplomas should be directed to the UNH registrar’s office in Durham: (603) 862-1594.