The deadline to register to participate in the commencement ceremony has past. Please contact dana.pierce@unh.edu with any questions.
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. The cap and gown vendor know what is required and will provide you with the appropriate regalia.
How to Order Caps and Gowns
Deadline to order is April 14.
https://www.buildagrad.com/unhm
PRICING
- Shipping: $15
- Bachelor (Gown, Cap & Tassel included): $17
- Master/Ph.D. (Gown, Cap, Hood & Tassel included): $33.40
QUESTIONS
If you have questions or concerns about your order, please contact our vendor University Cap and Gown at 1(844)-711-6100.
Join us for dancing, dining and fun!
Senior Celebration Gala—A Night at the Museum
Saturday, May 13 from 7-11 p.m.
Currier Museum
150 Ash St, Manchester, NH 03104
Free parking available at the museum.
Tickets are $20 per person (1 guest allowed per person)
Ticket includes: Buffet dinner and drink ticket, dancing, professional photographer, and a 1 hour tour of the museum.
Ceremony Location:
University of New Hampshire Whittemore Center Arena in Durham, NH
Date of ceremony:
Friday, May 19, 2023
Time of ceremony:
Processional begins at 6:45PM with the ceremony starting at 7PM.
What time should I arrive?
Graduates need to arrive between 5:45PM and 6PM to check in and line up in the Hamel Recreation Center. Signs and volunteers will be available to direct you. Please allow additional time to locate parking and arrive at the arena. Note: there is no dropping off allowed in front of the arena.
Where will graduates be seated?
All graduates will be seated on the floor of the arena.
Are tickets for guests required?
Tickets will not be required for guests and there will be no limit to the number of guests each student can invite to the ceremony.
Where guests be seated?
Seating for commencement is general admission. Doors open at 6PM for seating.
What can I bring into the arena?
Please leave valuables and purses with family and friends in the stands, as there will be no place to store items during the ceremony. Alcohol is not allowed in the arena.
Ceremony location:
University of New Hampshire Whittemore Center Arena in Durham, NH
Date of ceremony:
Friday, May 19, 2023
Time of ceremony:
Processional begins at 6:45PM with the ceremony starting at 7PM.
Are tickets for guests required?
Tickets will not be required for guests and there will be no limit to the number of guests each student can invite to the ceremony.
What time do the doors open for seating?
6PM. Doors to the arena will open for guests one hour prior to the start of the ceremony. There is another commencement ceremony prior to the GSC/UNH Manchester ceremony and guests will not be permitted access to the arena earlier than 6:00PM. Guests should allow additional time to locate parking and arrive at the arena. Please note, there is no dropping off allowed in front of the arena.
Where guests be seated?
Seating for commencement is general admission. Doors open at 6PM for seating.
What if I have a guest that needs accessible seating and parking?
Please visit this page for information on accessible seating, parking and other information for the day.
Where will graduates be seated?
All graduates will be seated on the floor of the arena.
Will the concessions be open?
Yes! Guests will be able to purchase water, other non-alcoholic beverages, and light fare.
How will the guests exit? What safety measures can I expect?
Upon completion of the ceremony, graduates will exit the building following the recessional. Guests should exit the building from the marked exits along the concourse and meet their graduates outside the building. Guests will not be permitted onto the arena floor at any time, with the exception of an emergency.
How long is the ceremony?
We anticipate that the ceremony will be approximately 1.5 hours. We would encourage guests to plan for time to return to their vehicles and navigate the traffic in determining a time for post-event reservations.
Will the ceremony be live streamed?
Yes! The link to watch will be available on the commencement homepage at the start of commencement weekend.
When will the ceremony begin?
The processional for the ceremony begins at 6:45PM prior to the scheduled start of the ceremony. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 7PM.
What is the schedule for the ceremony? When will my name be called?
The ceremony will begin with approximately 30 minutes of remarks from a variety of members of the UNH Manchester and Granite State College communities. The conferral of degrees will take place after the remarks and the awarding of the honorary degree. Graduates from Granite State College will go first, followed by graduates from UNH Manchester.
Will there be a rehearsal?
No. Volunteers will direct you where to go the day of the ceremony.
How will I know when it's time for my row to walk toward the graduation stage and how will I know where to go?
Members of the faculty from Granite State College and UNH Manchester known as Faculty Marshals will direct you at all times throughout the ceremony. They will be wearing yellow stoles over their regalia. Please follow their instructions.
Will I actually get my diploma during the ceremony?
No. You will receive a leather bound diploma holder that contains a congratulatory note. Because we award degrees throughout the year, many graduates have already received their diplomas by mail. If you are completing your program in May, your diploma will be mailed when academic records and certification of graduation are complete: approximately six to eight weeks after the conferral date. Conferral is pending successful completion of all remaining course work in your programs.
How does the ceremony end? How do I meet up with my loved ones?
Upon completion of the ceremony grads will recess out of the building where they can meet up with their loved ones outside.
Will there be a professional photographer at commencement?
Yes, each student will have their photo taken as they cross the stage by an external company called GradImages. They will contact all students directly in the weeks following the ceremony with a coupon for a free photo as well as a link to purchase additional copies.
When will my photos be available?
You will be notified as soon as photos when they are available. More details to come!
Hotel and Dining in the Durham Area
Information about local accommodations can be found here.
International guests may need an invitation letter to apply for a tourist visa to visit the U.S. for Commencement. Students who would like the Commencement Office to send an official invitation letter to their guests should complete the online request form. It is wise to request the invitation letter well in advance of your guest's intended visit as he/she will need to allow time to apply for a visa and make appropriate arrangements to travel.
The invitation letter will be addressed to the embassy/visa office of the guest's country of origin. The letter will be emailed to the graduate for them to mail to the invitee. Please allow up to 2 weeks for your request to be processed and mailed.
Letter Request
The following information will be needed in order to fill out the online request form, and for the request to be processed:
- The embassy/visa office address
- Guest's full name
- Guest's country of origin
- Guest's date of birth
- Guest's relationship to the student
- Student's name
- Student's country of origin
- Student's date of birth
PARTICIPATION
Faculty MUST register if they plan to participate in the Commencement Ceremony. Please NOTE: Faculty who do not register or arrive late for the procession cannot be guaranteed seating in the faculty section.
Regalia
Formal academic regalia, as determined by your highest degree and the institution at which it was earned, is required for Commencement Ceremony. Faculty members must bring your own regalia or order a rental.
If you do not own regalia, it may be rented or purchased by visiting the Faculty Regalia Registration Home Page. Faculty are responsible for all charges associated with the rental, purchase and shipping of regalia.
Contact Dana Pierce if you have questions at dana.pierce@unh.edu.
Diplomas are mailed 8-12 weeks after the graduation certification process.
Diploma covers are given at Commencement.
Will appear exactly as indicated on your Intent to Graduate form.
For changes contact the UNH Manchester Registration Office, 603-641-4136 or unh.diploma@unh.edu.
Diplomas are mailed to the address provided on your Intent to Graduate form. Do not provide a campus mailing address. Verify mailing address, in WEBCAT and select Personal Information.
Please NOTE: International addresses may delay receiving diploma.
Contact unh.diploma@unh.edu for more information.
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.
Commencement is an important part of university life where we celebrate the culmination of hard work and achievement. Commencement awards recognize individuals whose achievements have made significant contributions to the citizens of the State of New Hampshire or society as a whole. Nominations are due by October 31, 2022.
Commencement Speaker Criteria
- Nominee's background offers the ability to inspire, motivate, and enlighten graduates
- The nominee can elicit curiosity, instill knowledge, educate, and offer wisdom to graduates
- The nominee is an experienced and eloquent public speaker
Granite State Award Criteria
- The nominee has provided extraordinary service to the State of New Hampshire
- Nominee's achievements in his/her own particular sphere have made a beneficial contribution to the State of New Hampshire.
- Granite State Awards are also conferred upon agencies, corporations, and foundations when they have provided extraordinary services or have otherwise provided great benefit to the state.
NOTE: A Granite State Award cannot be offered to a previous recipient unless there is substantial evidence of significant and distinct additional merit or service that warrants eligibility for a second nomination. See the list of previous winners.
Directions
University of New Hampshire Whittemore Center Arena is located in Durham, NH.
- For directions to the arena, please visit here.
- For a map of the campus, please visit here.
Parking
Parking is available for graduates and guests in Lot A. Parking for those with accessibility needs is available on a first come, first served basis in Lot D at the Elliott Alumni Center. Parking in the Edgewood Rd Visitor Lot is prohibited.
- For a map of the campus, please visit here.
ADA Accessible Parking
ADA Accessible parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis to guests with an ADA placard on their vehicle. ADA parking will be located in D lot at the Alumni Center. Please note, all shuttles are ADA accessible and can accommodate wheelchairs.
All guests with accessibility issues are encouraged to arrive 1.5 hours prior to the start of the ceremony and to expect delays in seating due to the crowds.
Please visit this page for information on accessible seating, parking and other information for the day.
For a map of the campus, please visit here.