What You Need to Know — Syracuse University News

Bring on the pomp and circumstance! Graduates, it’s time for Commencement Weekend 2024! It’s the moment to recognize your academic accomplishments and celebrate with family and friends and the University community.

Syracuse University’s Commencement exercises will be held in the JMA Wireless Dome Sunday, May 12, beginning with the degree candidates’ procession at 9:30 am

The Mayor of Florence, Italy, Dario Nardella, will deliver the keynote address.

School and college convocations and Commencement will also be livestreamed. Visit the Commencement website May 9-12 to view the ceremonies online. The College of Law held its Commencement exercises during a ceremony Friday, May 3.

At Sunday’s Commencement, nearly 6,700 students are expected to graduate.

Syracuse University Chancellor and President Kent Syverud will address the graduates and confer degrees. Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Gretchen Ritter will give the welcome.

The University will recognize five honorary degree recipients:

• Hilton Als, writer at The New Yorker
• Jim Boeheim ’66, G’73, former Syracuse men’s basketball coach and special assistant to the director of athletics;
• husband and wife, William “Bill” Brodsky ’65, L’68, chairman of a specialized investment firm and an investment management firm, and Joan Breier Brodsky ’67, G’68, a National Museum and Library Services Board member; and
• Lynn Conway, inventor of methods for designing Very Large Scale Integrated silicon chips.

Joanne M. Mahoney ’87, L’90, president, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, will offer a greeting and recognize SUNY ESF degree candidates.

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, 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.

Student Marshals and Scholars

Representing the Class of 2024, Lucio Maffei and Sofia Rodriguez are the senior class marshals and will lead graduates during the ceremony.

(Photo by Marilyn Hesler)

Along with the all-University marshals, 24 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 Yvonne Chen-Yih Kuo was selected as the student speaker on behalf of the Class of 2024.

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, associate provost for faculty affairs.

The University Marshal is Kira Reed, associate professor of management, Whitman School of Management. Associate University Marshal is James K. Duah-Agyeman G’99, director of Multicultural Affairs.

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 conductors Bradley P. Ethington and Timothy W. Diem.

The national anthem will be sung by Patrick Seward ’24, College of Visual and Performing Arts, and Katherine Craig ’24, College of Visual and Performing Arts and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, will sing the alma mater.

Clear Bag Policy, Security and Other Important Information

The University has a clear bag policy, which will be in effect for Commencement weekend. Both walk-through and handheld metal detectors will be in place and used at all ceremonies, school/college Convocations and Commencement at all JMA Dome entry gates, as well as at the John A. Lally Athletics Complex, Hendricks Chapel, the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building and the Schine Student Center for both graduates and their guests.

To ensure that all guests have a safe and enjoyable visit, guests are not permitted to bring the following items into ceremony venues:

• air horns and noisemakers
• alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs
• amplified sound devices
• animals (excluding certified service animals)
• backpacks
• balloons and confetti
• banners, signs and flags
• cameras (with a 6-inch zoom lens or greater)
• coolers (including small soft-sided coolers)
• food and beverages (except for special needs)
• action cameras/selfie sticks
• laptops/tablets/tripods
• large purse or bags
• laser pointers
• open water bottles
• pocketknives or knives of any kind
• skateboards or Frisbees
• sports balls of any kind
• video recording equipment
• weapons of any kind

Get the App

Save the Commencement App for easy access to Commencement weekend details and to receive immediate notifications for any changes or updates to events taking place during Commencement weekend.

Update Your Email Address!

(Photo by Marilyn Hesler)

Congratulations, Class of 2024! 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!

Class of 2024 Giving Campaign

Make a gift of $24 or more to the Class of 2024 Giving Campaign before Friday, May 10to receive special orange, white and silver cords to wear at Commencement!

Fill up the Wishing Well!

Are you a soon-to-be grad or a friend or family member of someone graduating? Mark the milestone with a $24 gift in honor of the Class of 2024 to the Annual Fund and leave a wish to have it featured on our Wishing Well website!

More information about Commencement 2024 can be found at commencement.syr.edu.