Ceremony Information
Winter 2025 Commencement
December 5, 2025 | Albany, NY
Empire State University will host two winter commencement ceremonies on Friday, December 5, 2025, at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
All ceremonies will be available to view via livestream at SUNY Empire Live. The livestream feed will begin approximately five minutes prior to the start of the ceremony and will end when the ceremony has concluded.
Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) captions can be accessed during all ceremonies on your mobile device. For best results when viewing CART captions, switch the view of your device to landscape mode and select "Hide Chat" and "Hide Header."
What to Expect the Day of Commencement
Students who are eligible to participate in Winter 2025 Commencement will receive email communications to their student email address (@sunyempire.edu) as they become eligible through the November 1 eligibility deadline. Email communications will contain a link to register to attend: all students looking to participate in a commencement ceremony must register.
Arrival and Check-In
Students
Students participating in a ceremony should plan to arrive 1 hour before the ceremony to allow time for parking, check-in, and line up. With large graduating classes, this process takes time.
Students will separate from guests and check in at Student Check-In to receive an index card with their name and a number representing their degree type. Please be sure to hold onto this card as it establishes your place in the lineup and you will hand it to the name reader when you cross the stage.
Guest Seating and Tickets
Guests may enter the Convention Hall guest seating area when the doors open prior to the beginning of the ceremony. Commencement staff will be located at the entrances of the Convention Hall to scan tickets.
Guest tickets are general admission and will be sent digitally to registered students starting in November. These tickets should be printed or added to your guest’s Apple or Samsung wallets before arriving at the ceremony.
Student Robing Room
Students will go to the Student Robing Room to prepare for the ceremony. Commencement staff will be present and able to help with regalia and to line up in lines grouped by degree type (e.g., Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Science). Commencement staff will assist in ensuring everyone is in the right place before heading toward the ceremony.
Ceremony Procession
At the ceremony start time, the Academic Procession will enter the Convention Hall to the music “Pomp and Circumstance,” followed by commencing students who will be seated in chairs on the ceremony floor.
Ceremony Highlights
The ceremony includes the national anthem, speeches, students crossing the stage, and degree conferral. Expect loud applause, music, flash photography, and stage lighting. We encourage participants to bring any sensory supports that help them feel comfortable — such as earplugs, noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, or sunglasses. The ceremony will last approximately 1-1.5 hours.
Conclusion
After degrees are conferred, students will exit to music and clapping before reuniting with their guests.
Additional Communications
Information about registering to attend a ceremony and regalia will be sent via email to commencement-eligible students. If you have any questions, please email commencement@sunyempire.edu for assistance.
Streaming and Captioning
All ceremonies will be available to view via livestream at SUNY Empire Live. The livestream feed will begin approximately five minutes prior to the start of the ceremony and will end when the ceremony has concluded.
Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) captions can be accessed during all ceremonies on your mobile device. For best results when viewing CART captions, switch the view of your device to landscape mode and select "Hide Chat" and "Hide Header."
A video recording of the ceremony will be posted to the Commencement Photography and Videos webpage in the weeks following the ceremony.
Follow Us on Social
Share your commencement celebration photos and quotes with @SUNYEmpire on social media! Post a selfie, photo of a grad you are proud of, or any other celebratory photo and be sure to tag @SUNYEmpire.
Notice of Photographic & Media Recording
When you attend an Empire State University commencement ceremony, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to such photography, audio, and video recording and its release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for Empire State University’s promotional and marketing purposes now and in the future.