ECE Commencement Recognition Ceremony - Saturday May 24, 2025

General Information

The ECE Commencement Recognition Ceremony is Saturday, May 24, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 

• Location: Newman Arena in Bartels Hall
• Students should plan to arrive no later than 9:00 a.m.
• Please feel free to refer to the University Commencement web page for additional info.  

The ECE ceremony enables us to acknowledge students' substantial academic achievements in a direct and personal way. 

The ECE ceremony occurs in addition to the University-wide Commencement Ceremony held later on Saturday May 24 at 2:30 pm in Schoelkopf Stadium for all College of Engineering Students (2nd ceremony details). 

ECE Student Participation

• All ECE students planning to participate in the Commencement Recognition Ceremony must complete the online Registration Form. [Link available in April 2025]
• Participating ECE students must complete the Registration Form to guarantee their name will appear in the ECE Commencement Recognition Ceremony Program. 

Guests and Live Streaming

We are very pleased to note that no tickets will be required for our students’ attending guests. Newman Arena in Bartels Hall can accommodate up to 3,000 seats.

Our ceremony will be live streamed and available for viewing online here.

Cap and Gown

• All ECE students who will be participating in the Recognition Ceremonies are required to wear a Cap and Gown. 
• Students will need to pre-order their cap and gown online no later than DATE.  
• Caps and gowns will be distributed from DATE to DATE. 

Newman Arena in Bartels Hall

• Newman Arena in Bartels Hall is located at 554 Campus Road, Ithaca, NY 14853, on the Cornell University Campus. 
• Parking a car? Please refer to the University Commencement web page regarding your best options for parking on campus. 

Photography

• Photos of each graduating student who participates in the ECE Recognition Ceremony will be taken by Grad Images, a professional photographer. 
• ECE will provide the photographer with each student's contact info following the ceremony, which is taken from their online submission of the ECE Commencement Recognition Ceremony Participation Form. 
• Students will be contacted directly via email regarding ordering prints. 
• Family members and guests are encouraged to take pictures and/or video during the ceremonies, but we would ask that you please remain in your seats and be mindful of others so that everyone can enjoy the experience. 

Refreshments

Following the completion of each ceremony, light refreshments will be available for students and their guests in the atrium outside of Newman Arena in Bartels Hall. 

Diploma Distribution by Mail

• Diplomas will be distributed by the University after Commencement via postal mail. 
• For additional details, please contact the University Registrar’s Office or visit the Diploma Information page. 

ECE Contact

If you have any questions regarding the ECE Recognition Ceremonies, please feel free to contact Eric Laine directly at ejl257@cornell.edu. 

University Commencement Contact

If you have any questions regarding the University Commencement Ceremony, you should contact the Office of Commencement Events directly at (607) 255-9541, or via email or by visiting their website. 

ECE Recognition Ceremony Details – Day of Event

Saturday May 24, 2025

1. All students participating in the Commencement Ceremony are required to wear their cap and gown.
2. Students should plan on arriving forty-five (45) minutes prior to the start time of the ceremony,
   no later than 9:00 a.m.
3. Upon arriving, all students should report to a table in the atrium outside of Newman Arena in Bartels Hall.
   • Each student will be given a card with their name and their numbered place in the procession order.
   • Students will be expected to keep this card until they reach the stage.
   • Ph.D. students will be required to leave their hoods at the table.
4. Students will then be directed to where they will line up for the ceremony.
   • Students will be lined up according to their numbered place and seated by an ECE staff volunteer prior to the beginning of the ceremony.
5. At the beginning of the ceremony, the ECE Department Chair, Professor Alyssa Apsel, will welcome and address the audience. After Prof. Apsel's remarks, the ceremony will begin.
6. An ECE staff volunteer will coordinate guiding groups of students from their chairs to the stage.
7. When it is each student’s turn, they will approach the ECE faculty member who will be reading their name and present their card. Be sure to provide the correct pronunciation of your name.
   • The faculty member will read the student’s name and the student will proceed to the center of the stage from stage right.
8. At center stage, the student will pause to shake hands with Prof. Apsel.
   • At this time, the photographer will take a picture of the student and Prof. Apsel together.
   • For Ph.D. students, there will be a brief hooding ceremony. The student's advisor will place the hood over the student’s shoulders, and the photographer will take a picture of the student along with their advisor and Prof. Apsel.
9. After this, the student will proceed to the stairs located at stage left. The photographer will take a second picture of each student before they exit the stairs.
10. Our goal is for this process to take about 15 seconds per student (slightly longer for Ph.D. students due to the hooding ceremony).
11. After each student exits the stage, they should return to their seat until the completion of the ceremony.

Congratulations to all of our graduates!