Commencement
238th Commencement
Saturday, May 10, 2025 | 10 a.m.
Schnader Field House, Alumni Sports & Fitness Center
A celebration of the Class of 2025 and honorary citations.
Details about the Commencement ceremony will be shared here as they become available.
Contact commencement@fandm.edu for questions or additional information.
Schedule
Tickets
Each graduate is eligible to reserve a maximum of five (5) guest ceremony tickets. All graduates must complete their Tassel graduate registration by April 1, even if they do not intend to participate in the ceremony. Tassel is the designated platform for graduate registration, where students can confirm their participation in the ceremony and reserve their ceremony guest tickets.
The determination and announcement regarding the availability of additional ceremony guest tickets will be made after the registration deadline of April 1, once all graduates have completed their registration.
Family and friends are also welcome to join and support the graduates during the Lux et Lex Walk for the Class of 2025.
Seating
Guest seating for the ceremony is general admission and set at ground level with plastic folding chairs. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be reserved in advance. Guests are required to remain in their seats throughout the program and are not allowed to gather along the fence areas.
The ceremony will commence promptly at 10 a.m. with an academic processional. There will be a seating hold during the academic processional at the beginning and end of the ceremony. The event is expected to last approximately two and a half hours.
Please refrain from bringing large posters, balloons, horns, or other large celebratory items into the seating areas. Food and beverages are not permitted.
Accessible Seating Accommodations
Attendees requiring extra assistance should plan ahead and arrive when doors open at 8:30 a.m. If additional support or comfort is desired, guests are welcome to bring a padded stadium seat.
Please note that wheelchairs are not provided by the College, so attendees needing assistance should bring their own. Aisles must be kept clear during the ceremony, and any walking aids should be stored safely away from seating areas. Ushers are on hand to offer support as needed.
Parking
Limited accessible parking spaces are available in Alumni Sports & Fitness Center's West Lot K. Accessible parking spaces are first-come, first-served for guests with state-issued accessible parking placards. A designated drop-off location near the entry doors is available. Please see a parking attendant for additional assistance.
Dining and Staying in Lancaster
Lancaster is also home to more than 100 restaurants, cafes and eateries, featuring food from around the world.
Virtual and On-Demand Access
Join the On-Campus Viewing Party
Attend the live broadcast viewing party of the ceremony at F&M's Ann & Richard Barshinger Center for Musical Arts. It’s a great option for guests needing flexibility and comfort and for those who will be on campus but do not have a ticket. Although no tickets are needed for the viewing party, we encourage you to arrive early; seating is first come, first served. Doors open at 9 a.m.
Stream the Ceremony Online
Want to celebrate from afar? Check out the livestream on the Commencement website and enjoy the ceremony from the comfort of your own space. The ceremony will begin streaming at 9:30 a.m.
You can view the Ceremony at your convenience after May 10 by watching the on-demand recording. The recording will be available on the Commencement website starting Wednesday, May 14. Feel free to watch or rewatch any parts of the ceremony that you enjoy anytime.
April 17, 2025 Kennedy Wilburn ’25 wanted a college where she could excel on the basketball court and in the classroom. She found that and more at F&M, where she became women’s basketball co-captain, a member of the Student-Athlete Leadership Council, and an active participant in other student organizations on campus. April 16, 2025 Members of Franklin & Marshall’s Class of 2025 will be honored during Commencement May 10 in the College's Alumni Sports & Fitness Center. April 14, 2025 For Youssef El Gharably ’25, his ideas may start in the classroom, but they can’t be contained there. At F&M, he made hands-on learning the cornerstone of his educational experience by conducting cutting-edge research alongside his physics professors.Our Seniors in the Spotlight
Kennedy Wilburn ’25 Leads on and off the Court
Class of 2025 Turns Tassels May 10
From Abstract to Applied: Physics Major's Hands-On Research Journey
Honorary Degree & Commencement Speaker
An honorary degree is F&M’s highest honor presented to those who represent the F&M mission through qualities of intellect, creativity, and character. One such individual is chosen annually to serve as the commencement speaker.
Sandra Cisneros, 2025 Commencement Speaker & Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters
Sandra Cisneros will deliver the address at Franklin & Marshall’s 238th Commencement and also will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters. Sandra is a noted author and activist who is a dual citizen of the United States and Mexico.
Jonathan Groff, 2025 Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts
Lancaster native Jonathan Groff, who has earned a Tony Award and a Grammy Award, will be recognized by F&M with an honorary doctorate of fine arts. Jonathan has collaborated with F&M students, alumni and faculty, especially those associated with the Philadelphia Alumni Writers House.
Danene Sorace, 2025 Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters
Danene Sorace, the 43rd mayor of the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters at Franklin & Marshall’s 238th Commencement. She has served as the city’s mayor since her election in 2018, winning re-election in 2021. She is only the second woman to serve as Lancaster’s mayor.