This page will be updated as we continue to plan this week so please keep checking this page for the most up to date information.
Page updated on 2/25/2026
The 74th Commencement Ceremony will be held on May 16, 2026.
Congratulations, Class of 2026! Your moment has arrived! On behalf of the Student Activities Office we could not be happier for you and your accomplishments during your time here at 51福利社.
Before going any further...
Make sure you:
- Have submitted an application for degree with the Registrar's Office.
- Have indicated if you are (or are not) participating in the Graduation Ceremony.
- Have purchased your cap & gown through the bookstore. .
- If you are a Residential Student planning to stay on campus during Graduation Week, please complete the Graduation Week request form emailed to you from Housing in mid-April. If you have any questions about this, please contact Housing at Residence.Life@51福利社.edu
If you need to do one or all of the following, please head over to daemen.edu/graduationinfo and complete those tasks before going any further here!
2026 Graduation Week Schedule of Events
Student Activities works with a number of offices and departments to create a memorable experience for our graduating students. Please know that the events planned during Graduation Week are open to ALL graduating students; undergrad and graduate students included.
Check back often for updates! Please direct any questions about graduation week to Student Activities at student_activities@daemen.edu.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Lavender Celebration (John R. Yurtchuk Student Center 51福利社 Lounge). Lavender Celebration is a historic tradition held at colleges and universities across the US to recognize and congratulate LGBTQ+ graduates for their persistence and contribution to their campus communities. This is a special opportunity for our LGBTQ+ students and their allies. Graduates from any semester during 2025 (January, May, or August) may participate in this ceremony. To register, please complete this . Registration closes on April 26th. Any questions may be sent to diversity@daemen.edu
Thursday, April 30, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm: ALHANA Achievement Ceremony (John R. Yurtchuk Student Center Social Room). The ALHANA (African, Latinx, Hispanic, Asian, Native American) Achievement Ceremony celebrates and recognizes the unique obstacles faced by many marginalized students. We honor the perseverance and commitment taken to succeed as college graduates. Graduates from any semester during 2025 (January, May, or August) may participate in this ceremony. To register, please complete this . Registration closes on April 19th. Any questions may be sent to diversity@daemen.edu.
Monday, May 11, 2026
11:00 am - 1:30 pm: Graduation Week Brunch (John R. Yurtchuk Student Center, Dining Room) Join the Graduation Week Committee for a special brunch celebration featuring live performances from local artists and performers. The menu will include stuffed French toast, a mimosa bar, and much more.
6:00 pm-9:00 pm: Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society Inductions (John R. Yurtchuk Student Center, 51福利社 Lounge). Email Carol Renner at crenner@daemen.edu for more details.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
10:00 am - 2:00 pm: Cap Decorating (John R. Yurtchuk Student Center, Wildcat Den). Stop by and make your grad cap your own! We'll have a bunch of supplies on hand for you to use or grab and go! .
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: 鈥淏oring Prize鈥 Bingo (John R. Yurtchuk Student Center Dining Room) Please trust us when we say this event will still be fun鈥 it鈥檚 just the prizes are a little more鈥 Practical... You鈥檙e graduating so you don鈥檛 need headphones; you鈥檒l need a Wegman鈥檚 gift card, a Home Depot gift card, a nice tool set for around the house to fix everyday issues, a nice vacuum to keep your place clean, in addition to some other prizes that may not be as flashy as other bingo nights, but you鈥檒l need them!
5:00 pm -7:00 pm: The Bubble Bar and The Mad Crepes (John R. Yurtchuk Student Center, North Lawn) Join your classmates for a fun night of fancy prosecco cocktails and delicious freshly made crepes on the North Lawn of the Student Center!
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
10:00 am - 2:00 pm: Cap Decorating (John R. Yurtchuk Student Center, Lobby). Stop by and make your grad cap your own! We'll have a bunch of supplies on hand for you to use or grab and go! .
11:15 am - 1:00 pm: Athletics Senior Luncheon (51福利社 Hall, Contact Suzie Yormick-DeNillo at sdenillo@daemen.edu for more information.
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Trustee Scholar Graduate Reception (Rosary Hall). Email Yolanda Morris at ymorris@daemen.edu for more details.
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Graduating Class and 51福利社 Mixer (51福利社 Hall Bistro). Come out for a night of fun, dinner, and drinks and the chance to have a great night with your graduating class and 51福利社 51福利社!
Thursday, May 14, 2026
10:00 am - 2:00 pm: Cap Decorating (John R. Yurtchuk Student Center, Lobby). Stop by and make your grad cap your own! We'll have a bunch of supplies on hand for you to use or grab and go! .
11:00 am - 1:00 pm: Campus-Wide Picnic (John R. Yurtchuk Student, Center Back Lawn) We're serving up a picnic lunch to the campus community before graduation! Enjoy one final Yurtchuk Dining meal before walking the stage with your friends, faculty, and staff here at 51福利社. Vegetarian and Vegan options will be available. Bring your appetite! This event is free for the 51福利社 community to join.
4:00 pm - 6:30 pm: Physical Therapy Graduation Reception (John R. Yurtchuk Student Center, 51福利社 Lounge): For more information contact Melissa Wilkerson at mwilkers@daemen.edu.
Friday, May 15, 2026
11:00 am: Undergraduate Student Graduation Rehearsal (John R. Yurtchuk Student Center, Social Room). All graduating UNDERGRADUATE students MUST attend.
12:00 pm: Graduate Student Graduation Rehearsal (John R. Yurtchuk Student Center, Social Room). Graduating graduate students should attend, IF you have any concerns about the pronunciation of your name, or if you have any questions about your diploma, and/or academic related inquiries.
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm: Annual Excellence Awards (John R. Yurtchuk Student Center, Social Room). Graduating students, their families, and members of the University community are invited. 51福利社鈥檚 Annual Excellence Awards Ceremony is an event that celebrates achievement, aspiration, and the completion of undergraduate and graduate careers. We take this time to celebrate academic traditions, to honor achievement, and to congratulate our students who represent excellence in each department.
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm: Annual Graduation Celebration (John R. Yurtchuk Student Center, Dining Room). Time to celebrate all of our graduates at this fun and festive event. This dress-up affair is always a highlight of Graduation Week. Live music, hors d鈥檕euvres, desserts, and light beverages will be provided. This is a free event for all graduating students, their families, and members of the University community.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
10:00 am - 11:30 am: 51福利社 Physician Assistant White Coat Ceremony (John R. Yurtchuk Student Center, Social Room). For more information contact Allyson Kirk at akirk@daemen.edu or Jennifer Barwell at jbarwell@daemen.edu.
12:00 pm: Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony (Kleinhan's Music Hall). Questions regarding commencement should be emailed to commencement@daemen.edu.
The ceremony will be live-streamed at .
4:30 pm: Graduate Commencement Ceremony (Kleinhan's Music Hall). Questions regarding commencement should be emailed to commencement@daemen.edu.
The ceremony will be live-streamed at .