University Commencement
Commencement Details
Graduate Commencement: Tuesday, May 14, 2024
New Jersey Performing Arts Center | 1 Center St., Newark, NJ 07102
- 10 a.m. Graduate arrival
*Enter at the Chase Lobby - 11 a.m. Ceremony begins, doors open @ 10 a.m.
*All guests need tickets; enter at the Rotunda
Undergraduate Commencement: Thursday, May 16, 2024
Prudential Center | 25 Lafayette St., Newark, NJ 07102
- 7 a.m. Graduate arrival
*Enter at the M&M Tower @ Mulberry & Lafayette Sts. - 8:30 a.m. Ceremony begins, doors open @ 7:30 a.m.
*All guests need tickets; enter at Citizen’s Tower @ Mulberry St. & Edison Pl.
A livestream will be available on kean.edu the day of the ceremony. To prepare for commencement, please review the FAQs and email commencement@kean.edu if you still have any questions.
Cap and Gown
All graduates who will participate in the commencement ceremony are required to wear the Kean University regalia cap and gown attire.
All undergraduate and master graduate orders must be placed in-person by Saturday, May 11, 2024, at Barnes & Noble Kean University Bookstore for Kean Union students and Barnes & Noble Ocean County College Bookstore for Kean Ocean students. Download Order Form, print and bring to the bookstore filled out. There will be a $30 fee to order your cap and gown which includes a tassel and Kean University Stole.
If you already ordered your cap and gown and could not pick it up during the Grad Fair, they are now available for pick up at the Barnes & Noble Kean University Bookstore for Kean Union students until Monday, May 13, 2024. Kean Ocean students will pick their cap and gown at commencement.
For questions on your order, please contact Oak Hall's Customer Service, (540) 378-7001, or customercare@oakhalli.com.
Note: All graduates must pick up your free Kean University stole and receive your reader card for graduation, the items are not included with shipped orders.
KEAN UNIVERSITY STOLES
The Kean University Stoles included with the cap and gown order are available to pick-up only at the Barnes & Noble Kean University Bookstore during business hours until Monday, May 13, 2024. Any online orders, the Kean University Stole was not included and you will need to pick-up in-person.
Also available from Barnes & Noble Kean University Bookstore are the Class of 2024 shirts, additional stoles (country flags, veteran, etc.) and tassels to buy.
READER CARDS
All reader cards with the phonetic spelling of your name to be read as you walk across the stage on Commencement Day. Kean Union graduates who have not picked up their reader cards can pick them up from Hynes Hall, Room 113, during business hours until Friday, May 10. Kean Ocean graduates will pick up their reader cards at Commencement.
Senior Portraits
All graduates for Fall 2023, Spring 2024, and Summer 2024 for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs — portrait sitting appointments were available in November and December 2023, February, March, and May 2, 2024. All sessions for the Class of 2024 have concluded.
For questions about obtaining your photo proofs, please call Prestige Photography by LifeTouch, Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at 1-800-OUR-YEAR (800-687-9327).
Cultural Graduation Celebrations
Friday, April 19: Lavender Graduation Celebration Graduation
Lavender Graduation provides a space for LGBTQ+ and QTPOC students, as well as their allies, to come together and honor their successes in an inclusive and supportive environment.
Friday, April 26: ¡Celebrando Graduación Juntos!
The inaugural celebration recognizes students who identify as Latino/a, Hispanic, Latinx, Latine or Person of Color. This bilingual program will acknowledge the role of lineage, cultura and networks of support in the graduates' success.
Saturday, May 4: 37th Annual African Heritage Graduation Celebration
Wilkins Theatre, 4 p.m.
A celebration to honor students of African descent and recognize people of the Pan-African diaspora who identify as being from a country in Africa, African American, Black, Caribbean, Hispanic/Latinx, or a Person of Color.
Senior Formal
The Class of 2024 cordially invites you to this year’s Senior Formal, 24K Magic:
- Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024
- Location: Sheraton Parsippany Hotel (199 Smith Rd., Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ 07054)
- Time: 7 p.m. – 12 a.m.
- Tickets: Sales have Closed
DETAILS
- There will be a cash bar open to students and guests with proper ID.
- Tickets are not transferable and non-refundable; Kean ID will be checked at the door. Kean ID must match the name of the student who purchased the ticket. Guests must have a valid state ID or passport.
- Absolutely no walk-ins permitted.
HOTEL ROOMS
- Make Reservations: Book Directly with The Sheraton Hotel, or by calling 1-800-266-9432
- Upon check-in, credit card will be required for a security deposit.
Class Rings
Celebrate your major milestone with an official Kean class ring and other jewelry items. There are plenty of varieties, from the traditional style ring to the modern Kendra Scott Collection. Shop Now!
The Memorabilia Yearbook
For the Class of 2024, we are pleased to announce that all confirmed graduates will receive a FREE digital PDF of the Kean Memorabilia yearbook once it's completed. You will receive an email notification to your Kean email, as we estimate delivery in December 2024. There will not be any printed physical yearbooks for this year.
Watch the 2023 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony
To view full screen, watch on YouTube.
Watch the 2023 Graduate Commencement Ceremony
To view full screen, watch on YouTube.