Commencement

Information for Graduates

Happy graduate holding up diploma at commencement

Congratulations on your graduation from Goodwin University. Commencement is the University-wide celebration to honor your accomplishments. We look forward to celebrating with you!

Here are some things you need to know in order to make your day PERFECT:

1 p.m. Graduate check-in and line up (back of stadium/Officials Entrance/corner of Trumbull St. and Windsor St.)
2 p.m. Accessibility/restricted mobility check-in (main gate/Main St.)
3 p.m. Main gate (Main St.) open for guest seating
4 p.m. Ceremony begins

Parking and Entry

Graduates will park in the LAZ parking lot located toward the back of the stadium at 300 Market Street, Hartford CT. Graduates will then walk up Trumbull Street to the graduate entrance located at the intersection of Windsor Street and Trumbull St. in the back of the stadium building/corner of Trumbull St. and will enter through the Officials Entrance for check-in and line up. There will be volunteers directing you. Check-in begins at 1 p.m. Please be on time! Tickets are not required for your entry.

Hooding Ceremony Participants

Parking for the Hooding ceremony participants is located in the LAZ parking lot at 275 Windsor Street, Hartford, CT. From here signs will direct you to the building entrance located at the corner of Main Street and Pleasant Street. Graduates will use the Charter Oak Community Room Entrance on Main Street.

Commencement parking map

Directions to Dunkin Park

From the West: Take 84 East to Exit 50 (Main Street). Take Exit 50 toward Main St. Use the left lane to merge onto Chapel St S. Turn left onto Trumbull St. Use the middle lane to turn left onto Main St.

From the East: Take 84 West to Exit 50 (US-44 W/Morgan Street). Follow I-91 S/Main St. Take a slight right onto Main St.

From the North: Take 91 South to Exit 32A - 32B (Trumbull St). Continue straight onto Trumbull St.

From the South: Take 91 North to Exit 32A - 32B (Market St). Use the left lane to take Exit 32A-32B for Trumbull St. Continue straight onto Trumbull St.

Caps and Gowns

Caps and gowns must be picked up at the  Regalia Distribution Event on Thursday, May 18 from 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Graduates must come to the commencement already dressed in their regalia. Extra regalia will not be available. Without proper regalia, you will not be able to participate in the ceremony. You will be taking your caps, gowns and/or master’s hoods home with you after the ceremony. They are yours to keep.

Photography

GradImages is the official photographer for the 2023 Commencement. A package with proofs and order information will be mailed to graduates’ homes after commencement. Two photos will be taken of you at the platform and one will be taken after you walk off of the platform. Please be sure to stop at the GradImages photo station after you walk across the platform to have your picture taken.

Duration of Ceremony

The 2023 Commencement will be held outdoors at Dunkin’ Park in Hartford. The ceremony begins at 4 p.m. and will be approximately three hours. Out of respect for all graduates, you are required to stay for the entire ceremony.

Check-In and Lineup

Graduates are expected to arrive by 1 p.m. Check-in begins at 1 p.m. The check-in table will be located immediately after you enter the stadium. At check-in, volunteers will provide graduates with name cards and assist with the lineup. Please keep the card with you at all times. You will hand your name card to a member of the administration before walking across the platform.

Procession

The ceremony commences with the Board of Trustees, Administration, Honorary Degree Recipients and faculty taking their seats. Once they are in their locations, graduates will begin a formal procession and be seated.

This will be done in order by department and with master’s degree recipients first, bachelor's degree recipients second, associate degree recipients third and collegiate certificate recipients fourth.

Presentation of Degrees

Graduates will be directed, row by row, to the platform. Prior to approaching the platform, a photo will be taken. Once at the platform, graduates will present their name card to a member of Administration, who will announce their name and degree information. After being introduced, each graduate will walk across the platform to shake hands with President Mark Scheinberg while a second photo is taken. Graduates will then exit the platform for a third photo before returning their seats. All photos will be taken by GradImages.

Diplomas will not be distributed at Commencement, but you will receive a complimentary diploma frame. Graduates will receive an email to their Goodwin University account when diplomas are available for pick-up.

End of Ceremony

At the end of the ceremony, President Mark Scheinberg will address the audience with closing remarks and tassels will be turned. Graduates are expected to remain in their seats until all of the Board of Trustees, Honorary Degree Recipients, and Administration have left. Class marshals will direct graduates to the exit.

Commencement Printed Program

Printed programs will be available.

Ceremony Etiquette: Do’s and Don’ts

This is a special ceremony when all of your hard work and time is celebrated. There is an expectation that all graduates return to their seats immediately after walking across the platform. Graduates are expected and required to stay in their seats until the last name is called and tassels are turned.

  • Do arrive by 1 p.m. for check-in.
  • Do arrive appropriately dressed with your cap and gown. Extra caps and gowns will not be available. Without proper regalia, you will not be able to participate in the ceremony.
  • Do be mindful of your shoe selection. We advise not wear stiletto heeled shoes. You will be seated directly on the baseball field with no flooring covering the dirt.
  • Do keep your name card with you at all times. You will be presenting it to a member of Administration before walking across the stage.
  • Do stay for the entire ceremony.
  • Do be sure to use the lavatory prior to the start of the ceremony.
  • Do mute your cell phone.
  • Don’t carry or wear flowers.
  • Don’t decorate your gown. Decorations are allowed on caps ONLY.
  • Don’t have children sitting with you.
  • Don’t carry a cell phone, purse, backpack, any other kind of bag or anything in your hands during the procession.