Commencement week is nearly here, and there are a few things that those attending the school ceremonies throughout the week in Oakland and beyond or the large undergraduate ceremony on May 4 at PPG Paints Arena need to know.
The PPG Paints ceremony begins at 2:30 p.m. Each graduate was able to register to have four guests. Instructions on how to claim the guest tickets will be sent to all successfully registered graduates the week of April 21.
Parking will be available directly at PPG Paints Arena at the standard arena rate of $13. There also are other nearby garages and lots.
All Pitt-owned parking garages and lots in Oakland will be free of charge on commencement day and free shuttles will run from University Place, adjacent to Soldiers and Sailors garage, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Return service will continue until one hour after the ceremony ends.
A crowded downtown
The Pittsburgh Marathon also takes place on May 4, starting at 7 a.m. on Liberty Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh. The finishing line is on the Boulevard of the Allies near Wood Street. Streets will begin to reopen around 2 p.m.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have a game at PNC Park at 1:35 p.m., and there’s also a 1 p.m. performance of “Come From Away” at the Benedum Center.
All of these will impact traffic and parking throughout downtown Pittsburgh.
Regional campuses
Greensburg: Two ceremonies are planned at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. May 3 in the Chambers Hall Gymnasium. Students have been informed which ceremony they will participate in. Tickets are limited to four, but family and friends not in attendance can watch the ceremonies online via a live webcast. (Link will be posted the morning of May 3 on the commencement website).
Bradford: Graduation will be at 2 p.m. May 4 at KOA Arena. Graduates can have four guests, and the ceremony will be streamed live on the Bradford website and on its YouTube channel. A free shuttle van will run between the central part of campus and the McDowell Sport and Fitness Center, both before and after the ceremony, beginning at 12:30 p.m.
Johnstown: Commencement will be at 1 p.m. May 3 at the Sports Center. December 2024, April 2025, June 2025 and August 2025 graduates are eligible to participate in this ceremony. Each graduate will receive five guest tickets. Parking is available at the Pitt-Johnstown Sports Center, throughout campus, and at Penn Highlands Community College. A shuttle will be available.
School ceremonies
Most of the Pitt schools will hold ceremonies from May 1 to 4 at various locations in Oakland. Anyone coming in for the events should be aware that there are several traffic obstacles, particularly along Forbes Avenue. A map from the Oakland Transportation Management Association is regularly updated with any traffic concerns.
Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences: Graduate student ceremony, 11 a.m. May 1 at the Fitzgerald Field House. More information can be found on Arts and Sciences Graduate website. Departmental celebrations for all degree levels are now posted.
Pitt Business: Graduate and undergraduate celebration, 11 a.m. May 3 at Petersen Events Center. Find more on the Pitt Business Commencement website.
School of Computing and Information: Graduate and undergraduate reception and ceremony, May 2, 4:30 p.m. reception and 6 p.m. recognition ceremony. Find more information here.
School of Dental Medicine: 2025 Diploma Day is 1 p.m. May 17, beginning at 1 p.m. at Heinz Hall in downtown Pittsburgh. Find more information on the School of Dental Medicine website.
Swanson School of Engineering: Graduate student commencement ceremony, 2 p.m. May 2, Bellefield Hall Auditorium. Department recognition ceremonies information.
School of Education: 6 p.m. May 1, Fitzgerald Field House. Find more information on the School of Education website.
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Two ceremonies, split by departments, will be held for graduate and undergraduate students at 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. May 3 at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall. Find more information at the SHRS Graduation website.
Frederick Honors College: 3 p.m. May 1 at the Petersen Events Center. Find more information on the Frederick Honors College website.
School of Medicine: Class of 2025 Graduation will be May 18 at Soldiers & Sailors. Send questions to Erika Keough.
School of Nursing: Graduate and undergraduate commencement ceremony 10 a.m. May 2, Carnegie Music Hall. Send questions to Jennifer Fellows.
School of Pharmacy: Graduation and hooding ceremony for PhD, MS, PharmD and BSPS graduates, 10:30 a.m. May 2 at Soldiers & Sailors. The event will also be livestreamed (link to be shared closer to the date). Send questions to Alison Zappa.
School of Public and International Affairs: Graduate student commencement, 3:30 p.m. May 2 at Soldiers & Sailors. Find more information on SPIA Commencement website.
School of Public Health: Spring ceremony for graduate and undergraduate students, 2 p.m. May 2, Carnegie Music Hall. Send questions to Mike Dolinger.
School of Social Work: Evening of Recognition, 5 p.m. May 4, at Soldiers & Sailors. Find more information on the School of Social Work website.
Other ceremonies
International Students Graduation Celebration: 4-6 p.m. April 22, O’Hara Student Center ballroom. An official ceremony at 4 p.m. will be followed by networking, light refreshments and other activities.
UCIS Graduation Ceremony & Reception: 1-4 p.m. May 1, Charity Randall Theatre, Stephen Foster Memorial, Oakland. Spring and summer graduates can receive their credentials from the University Center for International Studies, followed by a reception in the Schenley Plaza Tent.
Lavendar Graduation: 4-7 p.m. May 1, William Pitt Union ballroom. The Office of Inclusion & Belonging will be hosting Lavender Graduation for graduating LGBTQIA+ Pitt students.
— Susan Jones
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