Commencement

Spring 2026 Commencement  

The spring 2026 commencement ceremony for the College of Health and Human Development will take place Sunday, May 10, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. (EST) in the Bryce Jordan Center, Penn State University Park. Graduates are asked to arrive one hour prior to the ceremony start time. Gates open 90 minutes prior to the ceremony. Tickets are NOT required for the commencement ceremony. There is not a guest limit. 

Day of Commencement

Students

Enter the Bryce Jordan Center through Gate B or C. (Your guests may enter through any gate.) Ushers will direct you to your seat on the event floor. Look for signs for your major on the back of the first chair in each row. You may sit in any chair in the appropriate section unless it is marked “reserved.” 

A seating chart is included in the digital program for the event (and can be found here). It is very important to sit in the section designated for your major. Failure to do so will result in your name being called with the incorrect major. 

Remain seated in your major area until college staff usher you to the stage platform during the ceremony. Students will walk to the stage platform within their major groups. (Students in concurrent majors will cross the stage platform once, each in the XXX major with which they are seated.) 

Remain seated after the ceremony until your row is called by college staff marshals. When called, you will recess in single file down the main center aisle. Prior to the ceremony, please arrange to meet your family and guests outside the Bryce Jordan Center after the ceremony. You will not be permitted to re-enter the main event area. Additionally, remember that you are expected to remain in attendance for the duration of the ceremony. It is disrespectful to the college, to the families in attendance, and to your fellow graduates to leave early.  

Cell phone use is not permitted during the formal academic ceremony. If you must bring your phone to the ceremony, please turn it off before the ceremony begins. 

For graduates with disabilities

We encourage all graduates with disabilities to participate in our commencement ceremonies. If you anticipate needing any type of special accommodation or have questions about accessibility, please notify Heather Zimmerman hdh3@psu.edu by Friday, April 19.

Venue Bag Policy

In adherence to best practices at major entertainment venues, walk-through metal detectors are in use at all entry gates, and there are restrictions on the size and type of bag permitted into the arena for all ceremonies.

Bryce Jordan Center: Please review the Bryce Jordan's Center Bag Policy. For more specific guidance, visit the A-Z Guide. 

Full details on Commencement

Please see comprehensive details on Commencement at University Park.