Commencement
237th Commencement
Saturday, May 11 | 10 a.m.
A celebration of the Class of 2024 and honorary citations.
Alumni Sports & Fitness Center, Schnader Field House
Contact commencement@fandm.edu for questions or additional information.
Important Traffic Advisory
If you plan to travel to F&M鈥檚 campus to attend the ceremony or participate in our on-campus viewing party, we suggest reviewing directions to campus and leaving adequate time for travel. may result in significant delays and congestion.
Commencement Tickets
Graduates are eligible for up to 5 guest Commencement tickets. Commencement tickets are electronic, or e-tickets, and are available to graduates through their Graduate Registration, MarchingOrder.
E-tickets are individually numbered and cannot be duplicated. All etickets are for general admission and not assigned to a specific seat. E-tickets must be presented at the door and may be printed or shown via a mobile device. All e-tickets will be scanned for entry. Entire parties are requested to gather inadvance when one individual pocesses all e-tickets.
All guests ages three years and older should possess a ticket to enter, exit and re-enter the Alumni Sports & Fitness Center for the Commencement ceremony.
Commencement Seating
Commencement main doors open to guests at 8:30 a.m.
All guest seating is general admission and seating is first come, first served; seating may not be reserved. E-tickets are individually numbered but are not associated with any seating assignment.
The ceremony begins promptly at 10:00 a.m. with an academic processional. A seating hold will occur during the academic processional. All guests are to remain at their seats at the conclusion of the ceremony during the academic recessional. The F&M bell toll will mark the start and end of the ceremony.
Large posters, balloons, or other large celebratory items may not enter the seating
areas. No food or beverages are permitted in Schnader Field House.
Accessible Seating Accommodations
A limited number of accessible parking and seating options are available at the Commencement ceremony. Guests needing additional assistance are encouraged to make advanced plans or arrangements and to arrive when doors open at 8:30 a.m.
All accessible seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Seats may not be reserved in advanced. All seats are plastic folding chairs. We encourage guests to bring a padded stadium seat if additional support or comfort is needed.
Please be advised that the College does not provide wheelchairs. Guests who may need
assistance into the venue or to their seats are encouraged to bring a wheelchair.
All aisles must remain clear during the ceremony. Any walking aids must be safely
stored away from the seating areas. Ceremony ushers are avaialble for additional assistance.
Please contact commencement@fandm.edu to request or for questions about accessible seating.
Guests with disabilities may request event accommodations by completing the online form. Requests must be received two to three days before the event to be appropriately
confirmed. Please contact commencement@fandm.edu
Getting to Campus & Parking
Getting to Campus
Check out the recommended routes for getting to F&M. Please plan for possible delays due to additional traffic and construction and road closures on the U.S. Route 222 and 30 interchange.
View driving directions
Parking
Shuttle service will operate continuously between the main parking areas from 8:00
a.m. to 2:30 p.m. the day of the ceremony. Signage will indicate designated pick-up
and drop-off locations.
A limited number of accessible parking spaces are available. Parking spaces are first-come,
first-served for guests with Persons with Disability Parking Placards. A designated
drop-off location near the entry doors is available. Please see a parking attendant
for additional assistance.
Virtual and On-Demand Access
An indoor viewing of the virtual Commencement livestream is also available at the Ann & Richard Barshinger Center for Musical Arts; tickets are not required. Doors open at 9:00 a.m.
The virtual live broadcast of the ceremony will be available, check back to this page for the virtual livestream link or to view the on-demand recording of the ceremony.
Graduate Photos
Graduate Photos
Legacy Photographics will be on campus to capture graduation portraits on February 2, 2024. Graduation portraits are optional. Print and digital photo packages are available for purchase at .
Ceremony Photos
The official Commencement photographer, Legacy Photographics, will capture off-stage portraits and graduates receiving their diplomas on stage during the ceremony. Print and digital photo packages are available for purchase at .
Schedule
March 11: Regalia (Cap & Gown) Orders Due
This is the last day for graduates to pre-order caps and gowns. Orders will be available
for pick-up on April 19. Graduates who missed the deadline may also purchase a cap
and gown from the F&M Bookstore beginning April 19.
March 22: Graduate Registration Due
All 2024 graduates must complete the graduate registration, including graduates not
participating in the day-of ceremony.
April 14: Government Department鈥檚 Awards, Pi Sigma Alpha, and Senior Celebration
5:30 p.m.
Government seniors and faculty departmental awards, Pi Sigma Alpha Induction, and
senior celebration.
April 18: Business, Organizations, and Society Senior Celebration & Awards
6:30 p.m.
Business, Organizations, and Society student and faculty departmental senior celebration
and awards.
April 18: Earth and Environment Senior Celebration & Awards
4:30 p.m.
Earth & Environment student and faculty departmental senior celebration and awards.
April 19: Psychology Department Awards, Brookshire Presentation, Psi Chi Induction, and Senior Celebration
4-6 p.m.
Psychology student and faculty departmental senior celebration and awards.
April 19: Caps & Apps: Senior Block Party
Graduates are invited to Distler House for an exclusive after-hours reception with
the F&M Bookstore and Diplomatic Cafe.
April 21: Bonchek College House Senior Reception
4-6 p.m. | Bonchek Great Room
Members of the Class of 2024 Bonchek College House are invited to a senior reception
in the Bonchek Great Room.
April 21: Lavender Graduation
10 a.m. | Barshinger Life Sciences & Philosophy Building
Celebrating the Lavender Honors accomplishments and resiliency of F&M LGBTQ+ seniors. is required.
April 22-26: Senior Week Activities
From April 22 through April 26 graduating seniors can enjoy celebratory events including
a Senior BBQ, Senior Olympics, and Senior Prom.
April 25: Senior Donor Reception
5:30 - 7:30 p.m. | Shadek Stadium Club
Advanced registration is required.
May 10
3 p.m. | Graduate Rehearsal
All graduates participating in the in-person Commencement ceremony must attend the graduate rehearsal.
4 p.m. | Lux et Lex Walk
Graduating seniors walk the campus and pass under the Lux et Lex archway to signify
the beginning of alumni careers. Hosted by the Alumni Association Board of Directors.
May 11
9 a.m. | Commencement Line-Up
All graduates are to report to the at 9 a.m. for line-up.
10 a.m. | 237th Commencement Ceremony
The 237th Commencement ceremony begins promptly at 10:00 a.m. in the .
12:30 - 2:30 p.m. | Graduate & Families Reception with Faculty
Graduates and guests are invited to an optional reception in with faculty following the Commencement ceremony. The reception offers light refreshments and an opportunity for graduates and their guests to meet and greet with their F&M faculty.
If you plan to make reservations for lunch following the ceremony, we recommend making your reservation for 1:30 p.m. or after.
Where to Stay
Planning a trip to F&M? Stay at hotels near campus and grab a bite from one of Lancaster鈥檚 more than 100 restaurants, cafes and eateries, featuring food from around the world! Explore our recommendations, including our and partners that offer a special rate for F&M visitors.
Commencement Safety Protocols
Commencement Program Book
Our Seniors in the Spotlight
May 3, 2024
Senior Spotlight: Olha Shapovalenko
A double major in mathematics and studio art, international senior Olha Shapovalenko made the most of her F&M experience. From designing theater costumes to discovering new artistic mediums, the College 鈥渆nriched my creative vocabulary,鈥 she said.
May 1, 2024
Chilamo Taylor 鈥24 Forges Unique Path to Japan
How did football and fashion lead 顶级国产视频 & Marshall senior Chilamo Taylor to a prestigious postgraduate fellowship in Japan? Learn more about his upcoming Princeton in Asia fellowship.
April 26, 2024
Senior Spotlight: Rachel Rubins
Between F&M Mock Trial team, sorority life and Hillel, senior Rachel Rubins 鈥渇ound a support system of friends I see as family.鈥 She also discovered a passion for history. See what advice Rachel has for incoming students.
An honorary degree is F&M鈥檚 highest honor presented to those who represent the F&M
mission through qualities of intellect, creativity, and character. One such individual
is chosen annually to serve as the commencement speaker. Jason Cone '99 will deliver
the address at 顶级国产视频 & Marshall鈥檚 237th Commencement and also will receive an honorary
doctorate of humane letters. Madeline Anderson, a Lancaster native and a media pioneer
who is the first Black woman to produce and direct a TV documentary, will receive
an honorary doctorate of humane letters at 顶级国产视频 & Marshall鈥檚 237th Commencement.Honorary Degree & Commencement Speaker