Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Alumni Arena, North Campus
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Alumni Arena, North Campus
✓ Check eligibility and apply for graduation (degree conferral).
✓ Check your name in the printed program.
✓ Register for commencement.
✓ Order your cap, gown, hood and tassel.
✓ Request guest tickets.
✓ Arrive 1 hour before your ceremony to check in. Celebrate!
The two graduate ceremonies are intended and scheduled for the Class of 2026 SEAS graduate students who have applied for graduation (degree conferral) indicating one of the following graduation terms:
Students should check with their academic advisors to make sure all degree requirements have been met. The printed program lists conferral candidates who are members of the Class of 2026. Permission of your major professor and/or department is needed for early participation (summer 2026 graduates).
Combined BS/MBA Degree Candidates
Students earning a combined BS/MBA are invited to participate in the SEAS undergraduate ceremony.
Combined BS/MS Degree Candidates
Students conferring their MS degree or both BS and MS degrees should participate in the appropriate SEAS graduate ceremony.
Only graduating students may participate in the graduation ceremony, including walking in the processional and crossing the stage. The University will make limited exceptions when a graduating student requires assistance due to a disability. Students needing accommodations to participate in the ceremony should contact seascommencement@buffalo.edu.
Registration is required for participation in the SEAS Graduate Ceremony. When you register, you will also be able to verify how your name will appear in the printed program.
Registration is now open. You must register by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, 2026 if you plan to participate/walk in the ceremony. No exceptions.
Please note that registration for the commencement ceremony is SEPARATE from APPLYING FOR GRADUATION (degree conferral).
THIS IS A TICKETED CEREMONY. All guests will need a ticket to enter Alumni Arena. As you (graduating student) register for the ceremony, you will have an opportunity to reserve guest tickets.
Children under two years of age do not require a guest ticket unless they will be using a baby carrier or infant car seat carrier; the ticket is for the seat space that will be taken up by the carrier.
Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee additional tickets for this ceremony. Friends and family who do not have a ticket for the ceremony are invited to view the ceremony via live simulcast online. Please visit Countdown to Commencement for a link to the live-stream and for technical requirements.
Graduates participating in commencement wear a cap/tam, gown, hood and tassel. Online ordering of commencement regalia will be available through the Cap and Gown page of UB's Commencement website.
Remember to bring your cap, gown, hood and tassel.
Please arrive to the Edward Wright Practice Facility (room 76, also known as the triple gym) in Alumni Arena an hour prior to your ceremony start time. Please enter the arena via the Webster Road (back) entrance.
Limit the items (purses, bags, etc) you bring with you as you will need to hold onto them for the duration of the event.
Once you've arrived, please follow the steps below:
Once you finish the other steps, take some time to hang out with your friends and get excited to graduate! There will be several photo booth areas stocked with props provided.
If you do take photos, don't forget to tag them with #UBClassof2025 so we can share them on our social media as well as the jumbotron in the arena!
When you arrive, you will see registration booths marked with sections of the Degree program/alphabet. Please go to the booth that corresponds with your degree program/last name. You will check in and receive a reader card with your name on it. You will hand this to the name readers as you cross the stage. PLEASE DO NOT LOSE IT!
Now it's time to find your department's seating section. Departments are arranged alphabetically but students can sit wherever they want within their department (no assigned seating!).
Each department has a faculty or staff member assigned as an academic marshal. Your academic marshal can answer any questions you may have and will guide you in lining up for the procession.
Once you finish the other steps, take some time to hang out with your friends and get excited to graduate! There will be several photo booth areas stocked with props provided.
If you do take photos, don't forget to tag them with #UBClassof2025 so we can share them on our social media as well as the jumbotron in the arena!
Program Book Name: We will use your Preferred/Chosen name, as it appears in HUB in the printed program as the default. However, you can choose to have your legal name, or the new preferred diploma name printed instead by logging onto the SEAS commencement registration system and following the prompts. You do not need to be participating in the ceremony to change how your name will appear in the printed program. As a reminder, only the Class of 2026 (Summer 2025, Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 will have their name in the program this year). Summer 2026 graduates will be listed in the Class of 2027 program next Spring).
The Office of the Registrar will mail a printed diploma, free of charge, to your permanent address approximately six weeks after the conferral date. Students are responsible for making address changes; these should be made by the term conferral date to ensure that you receive your diploma.
NEW* Electing to use a Preferred Diploma Name: While the University recommends that the name on your diploma matches your official, legal name, you may request a preferred/chosen first and middle name to be printed in lieu of your legal name. Learn more about requesting a preferred/chosen name on your diploma here.
Students who graduated June 2020 and later have the option to purchase a certified electronic diploma (CeDiploma) for $15.95. Notification will be sent to your UB email, from info@credentialtrust.com, approximately 3-6 weeks after your degree conferral date.
Learn about prohibited items and other security procedures.
Deliberate disruption or prevention of the peaceful and orderly conduct of classes, lectures, events, meetings and other University activities is strictly prohibited.
Grad Images is the contracted photography studio for commencement. There will be a posed photo opportunity as well as a photo of each student crossing the stage. Photo proofs will be emailed to each student about one week following the commencement ceremony. Please direct all post-ceremony inquiries to Grad Images.
Contact the SEAS Commencement Coordinator, Ona Strang, at SEASCommencement@buffalo.edu.