59th Commencement of SUNY Old Westbury

Questions about Commencement should be directed to commencement@oldwestbury.edu.

Questions about Commencement should be directed to commencement@oldwestbury.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm graduating in May 2025. What are my next steps?  

• Students that complete their degree in Fall 2024, Winter 2025, Spring 2025 or Summer 2025 can participate in Commencement in May 2025. SUNY Old Westbury has one annual Commencement ceremony. 

  In February 2025, the application for graduation will open for students completing coursework in Spring or Summer. Details will be sent to eligible students. After applying for graduation, and being approved by the Office of the Registrar, you are eligible to participate in Commencement. 

  Commencement is the academic ceremony to celebrate SUNY Old Westbury's graduates, and takes place at Nassau Coliseum on Wednesday, May 21st at 12 p.m. Once you are approved to graduate, you will attend Commencement Celebration Expo on May 7th or May 8th to pick up your cap and gown and tickets. The most important thing to do is keep an eye on your Old Westbury email for important information and deadlines. 

When will I receive information or confirmation of my graduation application? 

• The Office of the Registrar's Degree Audit team is reviewing all graduation applications. For application questions, please contact: gradapp@oldwestbury.edu.  

Are there still appointments available for graduate portraits on-campus? 

• Yes. If you wish to have a posed graduate portrait taken by Thornton Studios, you can make an appointment online. The photographers will be on campus on November 6, November 7, March 3, March 4, May 7, May 8, and May 9. Our school code is 07109 to make the appointment. The sitting fee is $5. 

When do I pick-up my cap, gown, and tickets? 

• The annual Commencement Celebration Expo will take place on-campus on Wednesday, May 7th from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday, May 8th from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Student Union, at which point approved graduates will pick up their cap and gown and Commencement tickets. Students will receive the link to pre-order their regalia via email. If you pre-ordered your Cap and Gown, it will be there for purchase and pick-up. If you did not pre-order a cap and gown, Herff Jones will be available to assist you on-site at Commencement Celebration in getting a cap and gown.  

What if I didn't pre-order a cap and gown? 

• That's OK, you will purchase and pick-up your cap and gown at the Commencement Celebration Expo on-campus on Wednesday, May 7th from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday, May 8th from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Student Union. You must be approved to graduate in order to get a cap and gown at that time. 

What will happen at the Commencement Celebration Expo? 

• Students will purchase and pick up their SUNY Old Westbury cap and gowns, and Commencement tickets. Proof of purchase of a cap and gown is required to pick up Commencement tickets, and to participate in Commencement on May 21, 2025. There will also be representatives from Alumni Affairs, Student Government Association, Career Planning & Development and more.  

What if I cannot attend Commencement Celebration Expo in-person? How can I get my cap, gown, and tickets? 

• If you cannot attend in-person, we will try to accommodate late pick-up during bookstore hours the following week. If you would like to have another student or proxy purchase and pick-up your items on your behalf, you must email us from your OW account the name of the person picking up the items to commencement@oldwestbury.edu no later than May 5th. 

What is the cost of the cap and gown? What do they look like? 

• The price of the items is set by our cap and gown partner, Herff Jones. Undergraduate sets are $59.00+tax and include a cap, gown and tassel: Graduate sets are $109.00+tax and include a cap, gown, hood and tassel. The Cap and gown are black, the tassel is a custom Old Westbury medallion. The graduate hood color depends on the academic program.

How many Commencement tickets will each student receive? 

• All graduates will receive 8 tickets to Commencement. Graduates do not require a ticket. All guests over the age of 1 require a ticket.  If graduates need additional tickets, they can sign up for a ticket lottery at Commencement Celebration Expo. 

What time does the Commencement Ceremony start on Wednesday, May 21?  

• Commencement will begin at 12 p.m. promptly on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. Participants and their guests should arrive at 10:30 a.m.  

What time do I have to arrive at Commencement on Wednesday, May 21? 

• Graduates must arrive early for line-up for Commencement by 10:30 a.m. The doors will open for guests at 10:30 a.m. 

What time should guests arrive to Commencement on Wednesday, May 21? 

• Guests will be allowed inside Nassau Coliseum at 10:30 a.m. Guests must be seated at the start of the ceremony at 12 p.m. Late entry will not be permitted during the processional. All seats are General Admission; meaning first come, first served. Tickets have barcodes on them and will be scanned at the door. All guests over the age of 1 require a ticket. Guests must enter through the Main Entrance at Nassau Coliseum. Parking is free.  

How long is Commencement? 

• We anticipate the ceremony to take approximately three hours. All students in attendance will be called by name on the stage to receive their diploma cover. Students are called in order of academic program. Graduates should remain seated until the end of the ceremony.  

Will there be a livestream? 

• Yes. The ceremony will be livestreamed, and begin at 12 p.m. The link to the livestream will become available a few days before the ceremony. 

Can I wear stoles, or decorate my cap? 

• Proper academic regalia is required to participate in Commencement activities. Academic regalia may be adorned with stoles, ribbons, and other decoration associated with your experience at SUNY Old Westbury. Adornments must be tasteful. Any additions to the official SUNY Old Westbury regalia that are deemed obscene, profane, disruptive, or include intolerant and/or hostile language will not be permitted and must be removed at the request of event staff and/or University officials. Don't forget to snap a picture and share with us using #OWmade and tagging @sunyoldwestbury.  

Is there mass transit to Nassau Coliseum? 

• Yes, the N70 bus stops right across the street from Nassau Coliseum. This bus also stops at the Hempstead Train Station on the Long Island Rail Road. Graduates experiencing any transportation hardships can email commencement@oldwestbury.edu. 

Is there a Senior Week? Are there other activities planned for graduating students? 

• Yes! Senior Week is in planning development currently!