A Celebration of Community: Ramapo College to Hold One Commencement Ceremony Honoring Undergraduates and Graduates Together

Ramapo College is pleased to announce that undergraduate and graduate students will be honored together in a College-wide Commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. This enhanced format reflects the College’s longstanding commitment to community, belonging, and the student-centered experience that defines the Roadrunner journey. Doors will open at 7:30a.m. and the ceremony will begin promptly at 8:40a.m.

Community isn’t just a value we promote; it is a lived experience shared by our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and families. Holding one ceremony for all degree candidates allows us to celebrate the spirit of community more fully and ensures that each student’s achievements shine as part of our shared Ramapo story.

What to Expect

The College-wide ceremony will maintain the personal, meaningful elements that matter most to our students and their families, including crossing the stage, individual name recognition, and of course the beloved tassel change and cap toss. Faculty will continue to line up and shake hands with students.

All students will be able to invite as many guests as they wish to Commencement. This is a welcomed change for graduate degree students in particular, who will benefit from the shift to a ticketless ceremony—removing previous guest limits and allowing more family members and friends to celebrate with them in person.

Our masters and doctoral degree candidates will enjoy smaller, more intimate hooding ceremonies that will take place on campus on Arching Day, Wednesday, May 13. Details surrounding this and other year-end culminating activities are forthcoming and will be posted on the Commencement website.

Shifting to an Inclusive Ceremony

This enhanced approach strengthens the experience in several meaningful ways:

• A celebration that reflects Ramapo’s community-driven culture.
  A single ceremony brings together Roadrunners from across degree levels and academic programs, highlighting the connections that make Ramapo special.
• A signature, high-impact event worthy of our graduates.
  One ceremony allows the College to invest in an elevated, memorable celebration with strong school representation, the pageantry of pomp and circumstance, and a cohesive celebration for students and families.
• An inclusive experience that promotes belonging for all.
  Graduate students, undergraduate students, and their families will celebrate side by side, honoring the full spectrum of academic achievement at Ramapo in a shared moment of pride.
• A format that aligns with Ramapo’s values and momentum.
  This approach mirrors the collaborative culture at the heart of our public liberal arts mission and showcases the strength of our expanding graduate programs alongside our distinguished undergraduate offerings.

Looking Ahead

Additional Commencement details including accessibility, location logistics, and information about the events planned for Arching Day will be published in the coming months on the Commencement website. Please check the website regularly for updates.

Commencement is a moment our graduates carry with them for a lifetime. By bringing our Roadrunners together for one College Commencement, we honor their achievements in a celebration that is vibrant, inclusive, and reflective of the values that make Ramapo exceptional.

We look forward to celebrating the Class of 2026, together.