Graduates get ready to celebrate! (Photo by Jeremy Brinn)
It’s time to celebrate, Syracuse University Class of 2025! Bring your family and friends and join in all the excitement and pomp and circumstance during Commencement Weekend 2025.
The University’s Commencement exercises will be held in the JMA Wireless Dome Sunday, May 11, beginning with the degree candidates’ procession at 9:30 a.m.
Carmelo Anthony, the 10-Time NBA All-Star who guided the men’s basketball team to the 2003 NCAA Championship, will deliver the Commencement address.
School and college convocations and Commencement will also be livestreamed. Visit the Commencement website May 8-11 to view the ceremonies online.
At Sunday’s Commencement, around 6,900 students are expected to graduate.
Syracuse University Chancellor and President Kent Syverud will address the graduates and confer degrees. Interim Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Lois Agnew will give the welcome.
The University will recognize three honorary degree recipients:
Bea González G’04, former vice president for community engagement, special assistant to the chancellor and dean of University College, will serve as mace bearer.
Tadodaho Sidney Hill, of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, will give the ceremonial opening. The Rev. Dr. Brian E. Konkol, vice president and dean of Hendricks Chapel, will give the invocation. Peter A. Gianesini Jr. ’94, president of the Syracuse University Alumni Association, will welcome the newest alumni.
Representing the Class of 2025, Mark Nzasi and Yifan “Ivan” Shen are the senior class marshals and will lead graduates during the ceremony.
The University’s Commencement exercises will be held in the JMA Wireless Dome Sunday, May 11. (Photo by Jeremy Brinn)
Along with the all-University marshals, 23 student marshals represent the 13 schools and colleges at the University. The marshals will lead the degree candidates of their respective schools or colleges.
Twelve seniors have been designated as Syracuse University Scholars. This is the highest undergraduate honor the University bestows. University Scholar Jonathan Collard de Beaufort, College of Arts and Sciences, was selected as the student speaker on behalf of the Class of 2025.
Retiring faculty members who have been recommended to receive the title of emeritus by the University Senate to the Syracuse University Board of Trustees will be recognized by Jamie L. Winders, vice provost for faculty affairs.
The University Marshal is Kira Reed, associate professor of management, Whitman School of Management. Associate University Marshal is Tula Goenka G’86, professor and graduate program director, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.
Also during the ceremonies, Army and Air Force ROTC cadets will present the colors.
The Syracuse University Wind Ensemble will perform under the direction of conductor Timothy W. Diem.
The national anthem will be sung by Olivia Scanzera ’25, College of Visual and Performing Arts, and Enzo Cupani ’25, College of Visual and Performing Arts, will sing the alma mater.
To ensure a safe and enjoyable event, all guests and degree candidates will go through security screening, including metal detection, prior to entering all Convocation and Commencement venues. The University has a clear bag policy, which will be in effect for Commencement weekend. Bags larger than 10″ x 10″ will not be allowed into Convocations or Commencement.
Download the OrangeNow app and choose the “Commencement Experience” for easy access to Commencement weekend details and to receive push notifications related to the weekend’s events.
(Photo by Marilyn Hesler)
Congratulations, Class of 2025! You’re Forever Orange, and the Office of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving wants to stay in touch with you. It’s especially important to share your non-syr.edu email address so we can reach you!
Syracuse alumni are standing by to help as you take the next step. Make career connections without any app, sign-up or login information to remember. Just ask a question!
Make a gift of $25 or more to the Class of 2025 Giving Campaign before Thursday, May 8, to receive special orange, white and silver cords to wear at Commencement!
Are you a soon-to-be grad or a friend or family member of someone graduating? Mark the milestone with a gift in honor of the Class of 2025 and leave a wish to have it featured on our Wishing Well website!
There will be new Instagram Stickers available for the 2025 Commencement Weekend, which can be found by searching SUGrad25 on Instagram starting Thursday, May 8.
More information about Commencement 2025 can be found at commencement.syr.edu.
