Commencement

Students planning to participate in the ceremony must complete the online registration form to guarantee their name will appear in our Commencement program.

M.Eng. student participation form

M.S. participation form

Ph.D. student participation form

Students who will be participating in the recognition ceremonies are required to wear a cap and gown. Students must pre-order their cap and gown online no later than April 16.

Caps and gowns will be distributed from May 20 to May 25 in Teagle Hall.

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.

We are seeking one or two student speakers to deliver remarks at the Systems ceremony. If interested, please submit your speech through the link below. One or two speakers will be selected from the submissions we receive.

Commencement Speaker form

Celebrate your journey at Cornell! Graduating Systems students have the opportunity to be featured on our Systems Engineering social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X). Share your story, reflect on your experience, and offer advice to future students. These spotlights are typically featured on our social media channels throughout the month of May.

Submit your spotlight by completing a short survey and uploading a photo on our Systems Graduating Student Spotlight Form.

1. Students should plan on arriving 1 hour prior to the start time of the ceremony, no later than 9:30 a.m.
2. Upon arriving, all students should report to the check-in table to collect your name card.
3. Students will be expected to keep this card until they reach the stage.

Families will already be seated inside Sage Chapel, but our graduating students will line up outside, waiting to enter the chapel on our cue. M. Eng. Director, David Schneider will be at the podium to welcome our incoming students; this is when the students will enter Sage Chapel and take their seats.

1. When it is each student’s turn, they will approach the faculty member who will be reading their name and present their card. Be sure to provide the correct pronunciation of your name.
2. The faculty member will read the student’s name and the student will proceed to the center of the stage from stage right.
3. At center stage, the student will pause to shake hands and take a photo with Systems Engineering Director Oliver Gao.
4. Ph.D. students will have a brief hooding ceremony where 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 Systems Engineering Director Oliver Gao.
5. After their photo is taken, 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.
6. A group photo will take place after the ceremony and will be announced.