The achievements of our graduates when we host our 61st Annual Spring Commencement ceremony at Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza. 

Important Information for the 61st Annual Spring Commencement...

Senior Salute, the first of the official graduation activities, will be held on April 16 and 17. It will take place in the Ballroom on the second floor of the Henry Student Center, from 1pm to 7pm on April 16 and from 11am to 5pm on April 17.

Senior Salute allows all graduating students to complete the required Senior Checkout in one stop. The process is simple: register at the door and take the checkout sheet you are given to each table. There will be drawings, prizes and goodies as well as lunch. Stay as long as you like or visit a second time.

In addition caps and gowns will be ready for distribution at that time.

Balfour will have a representative available for those students who wish to order a class ring. Many may have already done so and some have not. Sometimes a class ring is a gift idea that takes on more significance as graduation grows closer.

We look forward to seeing all bachelor's, master's and doctoral candidates at Senior Salute.

Will be held from May 12 to May 17.

Each graduate will receive six announcements. Announcements can be picked up at Senior Salute on April 16 and 17 at the Henry Student Center. Graduating students unable to attend Senior Salute can pick up their announcements at the Office of Student Affairs located on the second floor of Passan Hall (267 South Franklin Street). Additional announcements can be purchased at a cost of $.50 per announcement.

All graduates participating in the commencement ceremony must wear proper academic attire. The charge for the cap and gown is included in the commencement fee.

Caps and gowns will be distributed at Senior Salute on April 16 and 17 at the Henry Student Center. Students unable to attend Senior Salute will be able to pick up their academic regalia at the Office of Student Affairs located on the second floor of Passan Hall (267 South Franklin Street) from April 22 through May 15. Pick up times are Monday through Friday, 8:30am until 4:30pm. All caps, gowns and hoods will be transferred from Passan Hall the afternoon of May 15. Those graduates who are unable to pick up their academic regalia prior to May 15 should expect to obtain it at the robing site at the Wachovia Arena.

Note:  Caps and gowns for Masters candidates will be mailed to home addresses after April 25.

If you pick up your academic apparel and wish to iron it, do so with a cool iron. Do not worry about how to "don" the hood - we will help with that on Commencement Day. We will have safety pins and bobby pins at the Wachovia Arena on Commencement morning; however, you may want to bring your own to be certain you have what you need.

The academic costume looks best when worn over dark shoes and dark lower garments. the collar of a white shirt or blouse complements the academic robe nicely. Members of the Student Affairs staff will be available at the Wachovia Arena to help graduates with robing.

For graduates and their families will be held Friday, May 16 at 6:15pm at the Darling Theater of the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts. This is a non-denominational service led by our graduating seniors and should be about 45 minutes in duration.

The 61st Annual Spring Commencement will be held at the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza. The ceremony will begin promptly at 2pm. Doors to the Wachovia Arena will open for graduates and their families at 12:30pm.

Graduates and faculty should enter the Wachovia Arena through the West Gate. Graduates should arrive at 12:30pm. Faculty should arrive by 1pm. Guests will able to enter the Wachovia Arena through the West or East Gate.

University staff and ushers will be positioned at information tables on the main concourse to answer questions from families and guests.

The Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza is located at 255 Highland Park Boulevard and is located just off exit 168 of Interstate 81. The Wachovia Arena is just over two miles from the campus.

Smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages are prohibited inside the Arena. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in the parking lots.

The Commencement ceremony is expected to last approximately two hours. At the conclusion of the ceremony graduates will exit the Wachovia Arena into the West parking lot. If the weather is severe, graduates will exit to the concourse level of the arena.

Directions to the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza...

From Hazleton and Parts South of Wilkes-Barre:  Take 81 North to Exit 168 "Highland Park Boulevard". Make right off exit ramp. Arena sits 1/4 mile ahead on the right hand side. You can see it from the exit ramp. 

From Scranton and Parts North of Wilkes-Barre:  Take 81 South to Exit 168 "Highland Park Boulevard". Make right off exit ramp. Arena sits 1/4 mile ahead on the right hand side. You can see it from the exit ramp. 

Diplomas..

The Deans for Student Affairs will announce the names of the graduates in alphabetical order by college, honors status, and major. Graduates will be placed in line for the academic procession according to where their names appear in the commencement program.

The University makes every attempt to present each graduate with his/her diploma. Should you receive someone else's diploma by mistake, please see the Registrar at the end of the ceremony at the stage.

Graduates with outstanding debts to the University will not receive their diploma until the debt is satisfied. 

Photographs...

Earl and Sedor Photography will take a photograph of each graduate when the diploma is awarded by the President. Earl and Sedor will provide information to all graduates as to how they can access their proofs on line.

No one, except for the professional photographer and the media with appropriate credentials, will be allowed near the stage area for the purpose of taking photographs or videotaping.

Outside of the Wachovia Arena the University will provide photo stations where photographs can be taken.

Videotaping...

The commencement ceremony will be videotaped. The video will be available for purchase. Details for purchase of the video will be forthcoming from the University.

Parking...

Parking at the Wachovia Arena is free. Attendants will be available in the parking lot to direct traffic before and after the ceremony.

Parking for persons with disabilities is available near the West Gate.

Special Assistance Seating...

Seating for guests with mobility impairments is available in Row S which surrounds the Arena on the main concourse level. One escort may accompany the mobility-impaired individual to the special seating area.

Faculty/Staff Information...

Faculty should arrive at the Wachovia Arena by 1pm and enter through the West Gate. Faculty will proceed to the lower level and follow directions to the Faculty Robing Area.

Questions...

If you have questions please call the Office of Student Affairs at (570) 408-4100. In case of an emergency on Commencement weekend please call Public Safety at (570) 408-5000.