TESU Annual Commencement

For family and friends who are not able to join us but would like to watch online, the livestream of the ceremony will be available on the Commencement website and also accessible from the main page of www.tesu.edu.

We are very fortunate in that the CURE Insurance Arena is large enough to accommodate all our graduates and their guests so there is no limit to the number of tickets per graduate. You are welcome to bring as many people as you would like, and tickets are general admission so your guests may sit anywhere they would like.

Graduates have all received the link to order tickets by registering for the TESU Commencement via Eventbrite and indicating the number of tickets you will need for you and your guests.

A PDF of your tickets will be immediately available to download and print after you register. Once downloaded, tickets can be forwarded to guests electronically and printed at home. For security purposes, all guests, including graduates and children, will need a printed ticket to enter the arena.

Don’t worry, if you experience trouble accessing or printing their tickets, or if your guests arrive without a ticket, extras will be available at Will Call, and TESU volunteers will be distributing tickets to guests of attending graduates at the door to the arena.

Associate degree graduates will receive a burgundy gown, burgundy mortarboard cap and tassel with a 2025 charm.

Bachelor's degree graduates will receive a black bachelor’s gown, black mortarboard cap and tassel with 2025 charm.

Master's degree graduates will receive a black master’s gown, an academic hood with colors that reflect the specific master’s degree they have earned, a black mortarboard cap and tassel with a 2025 charm.

Doctoral degree graduates will receive a black doctoral gown, an academic hood with colors that reflect the specific doctoral degree they have earned, a black doctoral tam (cap) and a gold tassel with a 2025 charm.

You may not wear anything not provided by the University or a TESU recognized honor society on top of your academic regalia.

The doors to the CURE Insurance Arena open at 11 a.m. for graduates and their guests and the ceremony will begin promptly at 1 p.m.

Graduates need to begin lining up for the procession near Section 103 on the arena concourse by 12:30 p.m.

Please arrive before your ceremony. This gives you time to:

• Check in at Registration located on the main concourse at Gate C (street level). We will ensure that you have all your academic regalia and any earned honor cords and help you robe properly. If you are a member of the military or a veteran, you will also be able to pick up your cord and stole.
• Stop at the Foundation’s Philanthropy cord table, donate $23 or more and receive a cord to wear during the ceremony.
• Stop by the Office of Admissions and Enrollment Services table for your graduation gift!
• Put the finishing touches on your regalia.
• Allow your family members and guests to settle in.
• Line up for your class procession by 12:30 p.m. at Section 103 on the concourse.

The arena’s food vendors will be selling food and refreshments.

• When you walk on stage, you will announce your own name into the microphone. Members of the military may add your rank and branch of service. As a courtesy to other graduates and guests and to help ensure the ceremony concludes on time, please refrain from making any additional comments at the microphone.
• Legacy Photographics will be taking photos as you cross the stage and in front of a TESU photo backdrop once you descend the stage. There is no obligation to purchase pictures. Proofs will be emailed to each graduate within 48 hours, and you may select and purchase photos at that time. For more information visit www.legacyphoto.com.
• The ceremony is expected to last approximately two hours.

Join the TESU Genius Program!

The Office of Alumni Engagement is dedicated to maintaining meaningful lifelong connections with TESU alumni. Throughout the University’s 50-plus years of serving adult learners, more than 60,000 alumni have been TESU’s biggest advocates. Last year alone, alumni referred 531 applicants to the University.

The TESU Genius Program is a great way to stay connected and support the mission of the University! By attending Commencement, you have already completed the Wizard Step. Post a photo of your graduation celebration using the hashtag #TESUGrad, and you will have completed the Illuminator Step. Stop at the Philanthropy Cord table and become a donor and you will complete the Entrepreneur Step. After completing all five steps, you will receive a custom TESU Coin!

Learn more about the TESU Genius Program and how to stay connected on the Alumni website.

The celebration doesn't have to stop after commencement concludes. Discover where to continue your celebrations around Trenton, New Jersey.