Commencement Schedules for Ceremonies and Celebrations

Celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2026 on the St. John Fisher University campus. We can’t wait to celebrate #Fisher2026!

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, May 6

Graduating students celebrate Commencement and a rainbow is in the sky.

11 a.m. – Student-Athlete Ceremony (for spring athletes still competing who will miss their program ceremony)

Friday, May 8

  • Baccalaureate Mass at 10:30 a.m.
  • Graduate Ceremony at 2 p.m. – Celebrating Nursing, Mental Health Counseling, and Public Health Graduate Degree Recipients
    • Programs: DNP, M.S. in Nursing, M.S. in Mental Health Counseling, and MPH
  • Undergraduate Ceremony at 4:30 p.m. – Celebrating Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Recipients

Saturday, May 9

  • Undergraduate Ceremony at 10 a.m. – Celebrating Business, Communication, Literature, Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Recipients
    • Majors: Accounting, Finance, Human Resource Management, Management, Marketing, English, Interdisciplinary Studies, Media Communication, Public Relations, Film and Television, American Studies, History, International Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Data Analytics, Economics, Legal Studies, Political Science, Spanish, Sport Management
  • Graduate Ceremony at 1 p.m. – Celebrating Business, Education, and Pharmacy Graduate Degree Recipients
    • Programs: MBA, Ed.D., M.S.Ed., M.S. in Inclusive Adolescence Education, M.S. in Inclusive Childhood Education, M.S. in Library Media, M.S. in Literacy Education, and Pharm.D.
  • Undergraduate Ceremony at 4 p.m. – Celebrating Behavioral Sciences, Education, Life Sciences, Natural and Mathematical Sciences, and Pharmaceutical Studies Bachelor’s Degree Recipients
    • Majors: Anthropology, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Public Health, Sociology, Inclusive Adolescence, Inclusive Childhood, Athletic Performance, Biology, Sustainability, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemistry-Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, and Pharmaceutical Studies

Student Communication

Students planning to participate in Commencement should check their Fisher email regularly throughout the spring semester for important information regarding ceremonies, deadlines, and more. Emails generally increase in frequency beginning in February.

Additional Recognition Celebrations

Degrees are conferred by the University at Commencement. Individual schools and departments may also hold celebrations. Graduates should contact departments directly for celebration details.

ALAANA Dinner

The annual ALAANA Dinner recognizes and celebrates the achievements and contributions of students of color to the University and welcomes students into the alumni community. The dinner will be on Thursday, May 7, at 6:30 p.m. Please RSVP to attend the ALAANA Dinner. 

Lavender Celebration

The Lavender Celebration recognizes and celebrates the achievements and contributions of LGBTQIA+ students to the University. The celebration will be on Wednesday, May 6, at 5 p.m. Please RSVP to attend the Lavender Celebration. 

First-Generation and Service Scholars Celebration

The Senior First-Generation and Service Scholars will celebrate together on Wednesday, May 6, at 9 a.m. More information will be forthcoming from the Scholar representatives and the Institute for Civic and Community Engagement.

Honors Program

The Honors Program will hold its annual Honors Dinner celebrating Honors Program graduates on Wednesday, May 6, from 4 to 6 p.m. Stoles will be distributed. Family, friends, faculty, and staff are all invited. Invitations are forthcoming. Please contact the Honors Program with questions.

School of Arts and Sciences Awards

The School of Arts and Sciences Awards celebration will be on Wednesday, May 6, at 1:30 p.m. in the Cleary Family Auditorium. 

School of Business Class of 2026 Celebration

On Wednesday, May 6, at 3 p.m., the School of Business will host a gathering in Lot D, beside the Victor E. Salerno Center for American Enterprise, for the Class of 2026 School of Business graduates. The free event will include food, games, and music. If it rains, the event will move to the foyer of the Salerno Center. School of Business graduates will receive an email invitation with more event details.   

Wegmans School of Nursing Graduate Recognition Ceremony

The Recognition Ceremony for Graduate Program awardees will take place on Thursday, May 7, at 4 p.m. in the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Athletic Center Fieldhouse.

Wegmans School of Nursing Pinning Ceremony

Pinning for undergraduate nursing students will take place on Thursday, May 7 at 4 p.m. in the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Athletic Center Fieldhouse. 

Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education Celebrations

On Thursday, April 23, at 5:30 p.m., the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education will host its annual School of Education Celebration and award ceremony. The event will take place in the Cleary Family Auditorium. Please contact the School of Education for details.

The Doctorate in Executive Leadership Celebration and award ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 7, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Golisano Midlevel Gateway.

The Doctorate in Executive Leadership Celebration for the Iona campus cohort will be held on April 25, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Iona University in Burke Lounge.

For information about the Kappa Delta Pi ceremony, please contact the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education. 

Senior Athlete Banquet

Fisher Athletics will host the Senior Athlete Banquet on Tuesday, May 5, at 11 a.m., in Cleary Family Auditorium to honor graduating student-athletes for outstanding academic and athletic achievements. Stoles will be distributed. Please contact the Athletics Department with questions.