Commencement

I forgot to submit my Cap and Gown order form when I applied to graduate. What can I do?

This deadline recently passed (April 14, 2023). Questions? Email gsc.graduation@granite.edu or call 603-513-1391. 

How will I receive my Cap and Gown?

Students will receive their regalia shipped directly to them at the address specified on the order form, free of charge. Orders placed by 4/14/23 deadline should be received no later than 5/15/23.

Questions can be directed to gsc.graduation@granite.edu

What is the proper way to wear my Cap and Gown?

The mortar board should lie parallel with the floor. The tassel for associate and bachelor’s degree candidates is to be worn to the right of the mortarboard (when wearing). Master’s degree candidates wear their tassel to the left. Only caps and gowns provided by Granite State College are permitted and are yours to keep.

What color is my tassel?

Associate Degree: Sage Green

Bachelor’s Degree: Blue and white

Master’s Degree: Black

Is the Cap and Gown different for graduates earning a master's degree?

Yes. Master’s degree graduates have a hood draping their gowns.

How does the College distinguish academic honors? Are there special honors cords?

Bachelor’s degree graduates with honors have a gold cord draping their gowns.

Associate degree graduates with honors have a bronze cord draping their gowns.

Alpha Sigma Lambda (National Honor Society) graduates are distinguished by gold and maroon cords draping their gown.

Are there special honors cords to distinguish non-academic honors?

Students who serve or have served in the United States Armed Forces are distinguished by a red, white, and blue honor cord in recognition of their service to our country.

Are tickets for guests required? What if I have a guest that needs accessible seating and parking?

At this time, tickets will not be required for guests and there will be no limit to the number of guests each student can invite to the ceremony. We are monitoring the situation around the COVID-19 pandemic and may need to make adjustments to these plans as we get closer to the ceremony. However, notify us if someone in your group has accessibility needs by filling out the RSVP form here.

Where will my guests be seated? Where will graduates be seated?

Seating for commencement is general admission. All graduates will be seated on the floor of the arena.

When should I arrive?

Graduates need to arrive at 5:45 to check in and line up in the Hamel Recreation Center. Signs and volunteers will be available to direct you.

Doors to the arena will open for guests one hour prior to the start of the ceremony. There is another commencement ceremony prior to the GSC/UNH Manchester ceremony and guests will not be permitted access to the arena earlier than 6:00 p.m. Guests should allow additional time to locate parking and arrive at the arena. Please note, there is no dropping off allowed in front of the arena.

What can I bring into the arena?

Guests are permitted to bring bags into the arena as well as water. No attentional food or beverage will be allowed. Alcohol is not allowed in the arena.

Will the concessions be open?

Yes! Guests will be able to purchase water, other non-alcoholic beverages, and light fare.

How will the guests exit? What safety measures can I expect?

Upon completion of the ceremony, graduates will exit the building following the recessional. Guests should exit the building from the marked exits along the concourse and meet their graduates outside the building. Guests will not be permitted onto the arena floor at anytime with the exception of an emergency.

University of New Hampshire Whittemore Center Arena is located in Durham, NH.

For directions to the arena, please visit here. 

Parking

Parking is available for graduates and guests in lot A. (E:12) Parking for those with accessibility needs is available on a first come, first served basis in Lot D at the Elliott Alumni Center. (E:15) Parking in the Edgewood Rd Visitor Lot is prohibited.

To provide accessibility needs for graduate or guest, please fill out the RSVP form here.

­How long is the ceremony?

Typically, the ceremony is two hours.

Will the ceremony be live streamed?

Yes! The stream will be available at granite.edu/granitegrad on the day of the ceremony. Feel free to share this link with loved ones prior to your graduation day.

When will the ceremony begin?

The processional for the ceremony begins approximately 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the ceremony. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.

Processional begins at 6:45 p.m. Students should plan to arrive 5:45 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. (1 hour - 45 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.) 

What is the schedule for the ceremony? When will my name be called?

The ceremony will begin with approximately 30 minutes are remarks from a variety of members of the UNH Manchester and Granite State College communities. The conferral of degrees will take place after the remarks and the awarding of the honorary degree. Graduates from Granite State College will go first followed by graduates from UNH Manchester.

How will I know when it's time for my row to walk toward the graduation stage and how will I know where to go?

Members of the faculty from Granite State College and UNH Manchester known as Faculty Marshals will direct you at all times throughout the ceremony. They will be wearing yellow stoles over their regalia. Please follow their instructions.

My name is hard to pronounce. How do I make sure my name is announced correctly?

When you check in for the ceremony, graduates are provided with a name card and will be asked for the phonetic spelling of their name. You can also provide it by filling out the RSVP form here.

Will I actually get my diploma during the ceremony?

No. You will receive a leather bound diploma holder that contains a congratulatory note. Because we award degrees throughout the year, many graduates have already received their diplomas by mail. If you are completing your program in June, your diploma will be mailed when academic records and certification of graduation are complete: approximately six to eight weeks after the conferral date. Conferral is pending successful completion of all remaining course work in your programs.

How does the ceremony end? How do I meet up with my loved ones?

Upon completion of the ceremony grads will recess out of the building where they can meet up with their loved ones. 

How do I know if I'm graduating with honors?

Bachelor’s Degree candidates with honors designation have achieved outstanding academic performance and have completed the college’s academic residency requirements. These students are distinguished with gold cords draping their gowns. Note: the graduation program lists honors based on the Grade Point Averages at the time of publication.

Honors are based on the following Grade Point Averages (GPA):

• 3.75 - 4.0:  summa cum laude             
• 3.50 - 3.74: magna cum laude              
• 3.25 - 3.49: cum laude           

Associate Degree candidates with honors designation have achieved outstanding academic performance and have completed the college’s academic residency requirements. These students are distinguished with bronze cords draping their gowns. Note: the graduation program lists honors based on the GPA at the time of publication.

Honors are based on the following Grade Point Averages (GPA):

• 3.75 - 4.0:  High honors
• 3.25 - 3.74: Honors

Will there be a professional photographer at commencement?

Yes! Each student will have their photo taken by a professional photographer. Photos will be available on the UNH Flickr site after the ceremony where graduates can download their photo free of charge.

When will my photos be available?

You will be notified as soon as photos are available. More details to come!

Information about local accommodations can be found here.