Commencement

MarchingOrder

Click here to view the 2022 Virtual Celebration, including graduate slides.  You may search for a graduate by name or filter by degree and major.

Congratulations, graduates!

Cap & Gown 

Cap and gown, and other purchases are coordinated by The Starting Gate - Campus Store on the Owings Mills campus. Please call (443) 352-4062 or email sustore@stevenson.edu 

Bachelor Degree Candidates:  

Wear all four pieces: cap, black tassel, gown and hood!  The tassel starts on the right side. 

Master Degree Candidates: 

Wear your cap with the black tassel and gown. The hood will be given to you during the ceremony. The tassel stays on the left. 

If you completed both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree at SU please note: the gown and hood for master’s degree graduates are different than the gown and hood for bachelor’s degree graduates. 

Cap – Wear the cap flat on your head, not perched on the back. Cap decorations are permitted; however, they should not create a distraction from the ceremony. Remember the following guidelines: 

• All decorations must lay flat on the cap. Nothing may dangle or hang down from the cap other than the tassel and nothing may extend vertically. 

• Use common sense. Offensive language, photos, graphic images, etc., will not be permitted. 

• The University will require that you remove any embellishment deemed inappropriate by authorized University officials before you are permitted to participate in the ceremony. 

Tassel – Remember to wear the black tassel. For bachelor’s degree candidates, the black tassel hangs to your right, and you will move it to your left when instructed during the ceremony. For master’s degree candidates, the black tassel hangs to your left. 

Gown – Take your gown out of the package and hang it before commencement day! If necessary, iron it on a low setting. Carefully consider your choice of shoes as you will be walking up and down steps in addition to going across the stage. Comfortable dress shoes are recommended. Wear appropriate clothing under the gown. 

Cords, Stoles and Pins – Graduates may wear cords or stoles representing any University-sponsored organization. Please be aware any outside organizations that have not been recognized by the University cannot be represented by a cord or stole. Cords/stoles are not provided for academic honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude). Academic honors for bachelor’s degrees are recognized in the program and announced as you walk across the stage. Questions regarding nursing pins may be directed to the Berman School of Nursing and Health Professions. Stoles and cords are worn under the hood. 

Hood 

• Put the hood over your head with velvet side showing and the small tapered end with the string in front. View demonstration photo. (The velvet color represents the degree for bachelors and the area of study for masters) 

• The string should be on the bottom (close to your gown/shirt). 

• You may secure the string loop around a button on your shirt or pin it inside your gown with a safety pin. 

• The back should be folded out to see the school colors. You may need to ask someone to assist with this step. View demonstration photo.  

• Watch Herff Jones demonstration videos on how to wear your cap & gown.

Arrival and Procession 

• If you need transportation from the Owings Mills campus to the Greenspring Campus on commencement day, please email Transportation@stevenson.edu prior to commencement day. 

• Meet for the graduate check-in and procession line-up on the Greenspring Campus 45 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.  

• When you arrive on the Greenspring Campus you will see signs and volunteers directing you to the graduate check-in area.  

• Have your GradPass on your mobile device or printed for check-in.  If using a phone, you may need to turn the brightness up for it to scan more easily.  

• Graduates from each school will assemble in number order for the procession to the gym. Your line-up number will be on your Grad Pass or assigned at check-in. 

• Graduates will be directed when to begin the procession. Keep your Grad Pass with you.  

• There are stairs along the procession to the gymnasium. If assistance or an alternate route is needed, please email commencement@stevenson.edu.   

• When you enter the gymnasium follow the marshals instructions moving into the row of chairs as directed, remain standing until someone on stage instructs everyone to be seated. 

• Trust the marshals when they show you where to sit, and when to stand to move toward the stage. Keep your Grad Pass with you until you scan the QR code to proceed to the stage.  

• The procession and ceremony will start on time, even if you are not here yet, so plan to arrive early! If for any reason you arrive late and the line-up area is empty, go to the Manuszak Center Gym and someone will help you get seated. Listen to the marshals when they tell you where to sit and when to move toward the stage. 

The Ceremony

• The ceremony will be complete in approximately 60 - 90 minutes. 

• Watch your marshals to know when to stand and move toward the stage. Take your Grad Pass with you to the stage! 

• Scan your Grad Pass at the designated place and proceed to the stage. 

• When you walk up the steps on stage, proceed to the center of the stage to receive your diploma cover, continue walking and exit the stage. 

• No selfies on stage. There will be professional photographers taking pictures as you go across stage and after you exit the stage; keep moving as instructed. When you return to the row of seats – sit down. Marshals will be there to direct you as needed. 

• Contact information for the photographers: www.gradimages.com 800-261-2576. 

Recessional 

• At the conclusion of the ceremony, you will exit the gym by rows. Watch the marshals who will let you know when it is time for your row to exit. 

• It is very important that you keep moving outside and up the stairs to your right toward the tented reception area. If you stop just outside the Manuszak Center doors or at the top of the steps, those behind you in line will be stuck waiting to exit the gym. Keep Moving!  Elevators are located in the Manuszak Center outside the gym exit and in the Dawson Center down the hall from the theatre, if needed.

GradPass & Ticket Information 

• Graduates participating in commencement ceremonies will each receive one GradPass for yourself and four guest tickets to invite others.

• Participating graduates will receive an email when the GradPass and guest tickets are available through MarchingOrder approximately two weeks prior to the ceremonies.
   
• The GradPass may be printed or downloaded to your mobile device.  You will scan your GradPass at the graduate check-in when arriving on campus and again during the ceremony just prior to walking across the stage.
   
• Each guest ticket may be printed or sent to an invited guest by email.

• Guest tickets each have a unique bar code – duplicates will be denied. When the QR code on a ticket is scanned (whether paper or electronic), any other guests attempting to enter with the same QR code will be denied entry.
   
• Extra tickets are not available. However, graduates may choose to share any tickets they are not using with another graduate in the same ceremony.
   
• The commencement ceremony will be streaming live online! The link will be available on the SU website. Friends and family may watch the ceremony from anywhere they have internet access.
   
• Overflow seating is available in the Inscape Theatre where the ceremony will be streaming live on the big screen. Theatre seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are not required for overflow seating.
   
• Doors to the Manuszak Center will open one hour before the start of the ceremony. Seating areas are not assigned and are occupied on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests are encouraged to arrive early. When the procession begins, no one will be allowed to enter the Manuszak Center until the procession is complete; therefore, guests should be seated at least fifteen minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. Guests arriving late may enter the gymnasium after the procession is complete.
   
• All guests must have a ticket to enter the Manuszak Center, including children over the age of one and guests with accessibility accommodations.
   
• If you need to request accessibility accommodations for guests (e.g. sign language interpreters, wheelchair access, etc.) please email Lisa C. Labrecque.
   
• Estimated ceremony length is 60-90 minutes.

Guest Information 

For the safety and enjoyment of all graduates and guests, please review the following guidelines and answers to frequently asked questions.

• Commencement ceremonies are located in the Manuszak Center Gymnasium on the Greenspring Campus, 1525 Greenspring Valley Road, Stevenson, MD 21153.
• Please follow the directions of SU security and staff directing you to parking and around campus.
• Each ticket has a unique QR code to admit one guest.  Duplicated tickets will not be accepted.
• Each guest must have a ticket to enter the Manuszak Center, including children over the age of one and guests with accessibility accommodations.
• To request accessibility accommodations for guests (e.g. sign language interpreters, wheelchair access, etc.) graduates should email Lisa C. Labrecque.
• Doors to the gymnasium open one hour prior to the ceremony.
• Masks are required.
• Seating areas in the gymnasium are not assigned and are occupied on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests are encouraged to arrive early.
• When the procession begins, no one will be allowed to enter the Manuszak Center until the procession is complete; therefore, guests should be seated at least fifteen minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. Guests arriving late may enter the gymnasium after the procession is complete.
• Estimated ceremony length is 60-90 minutes.
• The commencement ceremony will be streaming live online! The link will be available on the SU website. Friends and family may watch the ceremony from anywhere they have internet access.
• Overflow seating is available in the Inscape Theatre where the ceremony will be streaming live on the big screen. Theatre seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are not required for overflow seating.
• We are rejoicing with you in your graduate’s academic success! Applause and cheers are welcome; however, should not interfere with hearing the name of each graduate being announced as they walk across the stage.
• For the safety and enjoyment of all graduates and guests, do not bring any of the following items into the Manuszak Center or Inscape Theatre: strollers (unless accessibility accommodations were arranged), balloons, weapons of any kind, air horns, megaphones, bells, or noise makers.
• Please move to the center of your row when you are seated to allow room for other guests and refrain from placing your feet or personal belongings on other seats.
• Do not approach the stage for photos. Professional photographers will be taking photos near the stage. Guests may take personal photos/video while remaining in their seats so the view of the stage is not obstructed and the aisles remain clear for our graduates. Information about professional photos is available on their website www.gradimages.com or by calling 800-261-2576.
• At the end of the ceremony please remain in the gymnasium until ALL of the graduates have exited. The stage party and faculty will leave the gym first, followed by the graduates. Guests exit the gym last.
• When you exit the Manuszak Center do not stop just outside the gym or building doors. Keep moving outside and up the stairs to your right. This is very important so the hundreds of guests exiting after you may leave the gym also. Elevators are located in the Manuszak Center outside the gym exit and in the Dawson Center down the hall from the theatre, if needed.

Thank you for your cooperation. It helps make this a special day for our graduates!

FAQ

Q: When is my ceremony? 

A: Click here to view the ceremony schedule. 

Q: Where is the ceremony? 

A: Commencement ceremonies are in the Manuszak Center Gymnasium on the Greenspring Campus. Graduates will be sent an email with the check-in location and instructions. 

Q: When should I arrive? 

A: Graduates should arrive 45 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. 

Q: How long is the ceremony? 

A: Commencement ceremonies will be approximately one hour. 

Q: How do I obtain a cap and gown? 

A: Cap & Gown purchases are coordinated by The Starting Gate - Campus Store on the Owings Mills Campus. Please call 443-352-4062 or email sustore@stevenson.edu if you have questions. 

Q: Why not have graduation outside or in the stadium? 

A: Many people on campus have vetted multiple options for commencement ceremonies, including an outdoor ceremony. One significant concern about an outdoor ceremony at Stevenson is the possibility of inclement weather, which is quite common in Maryland during May, without having an indoor alternative of equal size. We are thrilled that Stevenson will be able to offer commencement ceremonies on campus preserving the elements our students value most, including hearing their name announced, walking across the stage, turning their tassels, and having a professional photograph taken. We are also pleased that we will be able to offer graduates the opportunity to invite guests to the ceremony. 

Q: How do I receive my tickets? 

A: Information about tickets will be sent by email to participating graduates who have submitted their RSVP through MarchingOrder as instructed.  

Q: May I request additional tickets? 

A: Each participating graduate will have the maximum allotment of tickets we can allow at this time based on the number of participants, the capacity of the location, and current public health and safety protocols. Additional tickets are not available. 

Q: How do I view the ceremony online? 

A: The Commencement ceremony will be streaming live online! The link will be available on the SU website. 

Q: Will there be professional photographs? 

A: Yes. GradImages will be providing photography during each of the ceremonies including when the graduate is on stage and after receiving the diploma cover. GradImages will also be available for individual photos prior to the ceremony at the graduate check-in area. Contact information for the photographers: www.gradimages.com 800-261-2576. 

Q: When will I receive my diploma? 

A: Diplomas will be sent by mail the month following degree conferral. For May graduates diplomas are mailed in June, for August graduates diplomas are mailed in September, and for December graduates diplomas are mailed in January.