Group of students in regalia walk during the processional to Commencement

2025 Commencement

Chestnut Hill College’s 98th Annual Commencement is right around the corner, and we want all our Griffins to be prepared for their special day as well as events leading up to Commencement. Below you will find more information on the Commencement ceremonies, additional events celebrating our graduating classes, and resources/FAQs about the graduation process. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to email Terry Trainer (trainert@chc.edu).

98th Annual Commencement for the Class of 2025

Chestnut Hill College will celebrate its 98th Annual Commencement for the School of Undergraduate Studies on Saturday, May 17th at 11:00am with the procession beginning at 10:30am.

The School of Graduate Studies and School of Continuing and Professional Studies Commencement Ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 15th at 3 PM with the procession beginning at 2:30pm. At this Ceremony, the College will confer degrees to PsyD, Master’s, and Bachelor’s graduates.

All graduating students are guaranteed FOUR graduation tickets to the main graduation venue—Sorgenti Arena for the Commencement ceremony. Students will also receive two (2) additional viewing guest tickets for one of the campus viewing locations, to be announced closer to graduation date. In addition, the entire Commencement ceremony will be live-streamed via YouTube and the College website.

We are looking forward to celebrating the remarkable achievements of all of those in the Class of 2025!

*The Class of 2025 includes all graduates who graduated in the following months: August 2024, December 2024, and May 2025.

Additional Commencement-Related Events for the Class of 2025

Open to All Students

GRAD FINALE and SENIOR PORTRAITS

Students in all three schools (SUS, SCPS, and SGS) are invited to participate in Grad Finale, your one-stop-shop for all things Commencement! At Grad Finale you will be able to pick up your regalia, obtain your tickets, take a LinkedIn headshot, and more! Grad Finale will be on Thursday, April 24th.

Senior Portraits for Students in the School of Undergraduate Studies (9AM – 5PM). Please check your email for more information. SUS students can click here to sign up for your portraits. SUS graduates can come anytime between 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm.

Senior Portraits for students in the School of Graduate Studies and School of Continuing and Professional Studies will take place on Wednesday March 26th and Thursday, March 27th  from 4:00pm – 8:00pm. Chestnut Hill College – Senior Portraits Click Here SGS/SCPS.

BACCALAUREATE PRAYER SERVICE

Students in all three schools (SUS, SCPS, and SGS) are invited to participate in the Baccalaureate Prayer Service on Friday, May 16th at 5:30 PM in the Motherhouse Chapel. Graduates & their families are invited to join together for an evening of reflection and prayer the night before Graduation. We will bless the graduates and pray for their journey ahead in the very special Sisters of Saint Joseph Motherhouse Chapel! All faiths and friends are welcome. Invitation to follow. Any questions can be directed to Becky McIntyre, Interim Campus Ministry Director: mcintyrer@chc.edu

Open to Students in the School of Graduate Studies

The School of Graduate Studies (SGS) is inviting PsyD and Master’s graduates to a reception on Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 1 PM. Please note, while families are invited to the commencement ceremony, the reception is for graduates only. If you will be attending the SGS Reception, please make sure to fill out this survey.

Open to Students in the Schools of Undergraduate and Continuing and Professional Studies

KENTE CLOTH CEREMONY

Students in the School of Undergraduate Studies & School of Continuing and Professional Studies are invited to participate in the Annual Kente Cloth Ceremony on May 16th at 3:00 PM. Students must RSVP to attend. Invitation to follow.

Open to Students in the School of Undergraduate Studies – Senior Week 2025

In celebration of your accomplishments, Student Life has put together an array of events for you taking place from May 12th through May 15th, leading up to Commencement on May 17th. To partake in any or all the opportunities provide to the Class of 2025, an RSVP form will be shared in April. It is also important to note that there may be a small fee ($5-10) associated with some events to cover the cost of a ticket or food/beverages costs.

The 2025 Senior Week Events include:

  • Senior Send-off President’s Celebration
    • DATE TBA Wednesday, May 14, 2025
    • Location: McCaffery Lounge/Griffin Patio
    • Cost to Senior: $5 per ticket (includes food and beverages)
  • Senior Send-off Brunch
    • Thursday, May 15, 2025
    • Location: Fournier Dining Hall
    • Cost to Senior: FREE
  • Senior Send-off Happy Hour at Chestnut Hill Brewing Company on
    • Thursday, May 15th at 7:00 PM; Shuttles leave campus starting at 6:30 PM
    • Location: Chestnut Hill Brewery
    • Cost to Senior: $10 per ticket (includes food and beverages)
  • Senior Send-off BBQ Lunch
    • Friday, May 16, 2025
    • Location: Piazza (Fournier Dining Hall if Inclement Weather)
    • Cost to Senior: FREE

Tickets for each event will be sold in the Mailroom starting in April, as well as at the Grad Finale on April 24th at the Student Life table. Seniors will be able to purchase tickets for each individual event they wish to attend. We accept cash or card; however, we do not take Venmo, CashApp, or similar payment apps.

Senior Week RSVP Form will be available in April.

Commencement FAQs

HOW CAN I ORDER MY CAP AND GOWN?

To order your caps and gowns, please click this link www.herffjones.com/college/chc. Ordering your cap and gown will ensure that we have the right size and appropriate hood available at the Grad Finale on April 24, 2025. You can also purchase class rings and diploma frames through this site. The deadline to order caps and gowns for free on-campus pick up at or after Grad Finale is Sunday, March 16, 2025. Payment plans are also available through the site.

No longer on or near campus? – You will be able to pay to have your cap and gown shipped to your home through the Herff Jones website until April 17th, 2025.

Please note, if you didn’t make the deadlines, you may purchase your cap and gown in person at Grad Finale on April 24th or at the bookstore April 25th until Graduation day.

If you have any specific questions relating to caps and gowns, please reach out to the Bookstore directly at jwaring@bncollege.com or bookstore@chc.edu.

WHERE CAN I PICK UP MY CAP AND GOWN?

You will pick up your cap and gown at Grad Finale on Thursday, April 24th. Order your cap and gown before Sunday, March 16, 2025, for FREE Shipping.

WHEN WILL I GET MY HONOR CORDS FOR GRADUATION?

Graduating honor society members will receive honors cords during their induction ceremony, from the moderator directly, or you can pick them up at the Grad Finale on Thursday, April 24th. Please reach out to your honor society moderator for questions concerning honor cords.

HOW MANY TICKETS WILL I RECEIVE FOR GRADUATION?

All graduates is guaranteed FOUR (4) graduation tickets to the main graduation venue—Sorgenti Arena for the Commencement ceremonies held on Thursday, May 15th or Saturday, May 17th. In addition, the entire Commencement ceremony will be live-streamed. Also, students will receive two (2) additional viewing guest tickets for one of the campus viewing locations.

All tickets will be distributed at the Grad Finale on Thursday, April 24th.

CAN I GET EXTRA TICKETS?

As it relates to the additional tickets, we do not currently have any extra tickets available. However, we are accepting names for a waitlist in the event that additional tickets become available. If so, we will randomly select students from the waitlist to receive an additional ticket.

WHERE CAN I PARK WHEN I ATTEND THE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY?

Parking is very limited. Several lots are designated exclusively for handicapped guests, faculty, and resident seniors whose vehicles remain on campus overnight. Remaining spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. All overflow parking will be accommodated at our SugarLoaf Campus (corner of Germantown Avenue & Bells Mill Road). Shuttle service will be provided to and from SugarLoaf. Parking attendants will be on-site to direct cars to appropriate parking lots. We recommend arriving early knowing that you may not find parking on the Main Campus and that shuttling from an off-campus lot may take between 45-60 additional minutes because of the anticipated crowds and traffic. Please see https://www.chc.edu/about-chc/maps for more details about parking and getting to campus.

WHO DO I CONTACT IF I NEED TO MAKE AN ACCOMMODATION REQUEST RELATED TO A DISABILITY?

For questions regarding an accommodation request related to a disability, please contact Terry Trainer at trainert@chc.edu or 215-248-7008.

IS THERE ANYTHING I AM NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE IN AND AROUND SORGENTI ARENA?

Please be advised that the following items are not permitted in the graduation arena: balloons, strollers, air horns or other noisemakers, glass bottles and containers (including vases), laser pointers or other disruptive items, coolers, signs, banners, sticks or poles, mace or similar substances, animals, except services animals, weapons, including but not limited to: firearms and knives, and alcohol.

Additionally, graduates and guests may be asked to comply with a visual inspection of persons, bags, and clothing capable of concealing prohibited items. Your cooperation in creating a safe environment for all is appreciated.

CAN I SMOKE ON OR AROUND CAMPUS?

No, we are a tobacco-free campus; this includes, but is not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco, and vaping devices. This includes parking lots, on or around the soccer field, and tennis courts.

Additionally, graduates and guests may be asked to comply with a visual inspection of persons, bags, and clothing capable of concealing prohibited items. Your cooperation in creating a safe environment for all is appreciated.

WHERE CAN I GRAB A BITE TO EAT BEFORE OR AFTER THE CEREMONY?

There are plenty of great restaurants in town and the nearby area, as well as two Wawas within a few miles if you are looking to grab a bite to eat before or after the ceremony. Click here for a full list of restaurants in the area.

WHO DO I CONTACT IF I HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?

For additional questions, please contact Terry Trainer at trainert@chc.edu or 215-248-7008.