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.
In accordance with F&M's Statement on Freedom of Expression, any opinions expressed during the Commencement ceremony are those of the individual speakers and do not represent the views of the College.
Schedule
May 9
9 A.M. - 5 P.M. | F&M Bookstore & Diplomatic Cafe Open
Distler House
10 A.M. - 12 P.M. | Joseph International Center Open House
Joseph International Center
International graduates and graduates who studied abroad are invited along with their guests to an open house at the Joseph International Center.
3 P.M. | Graduate Rehearsal
Alumni Sports & Fitness Center, Schnader Field House
All graduates participating in the in-person Commencement must attend the graduate rehearsal.
Lux et Lex Walk | Immediately following graduate rehearsal
Klauder-Apple Walkway
Seniors walk the campus and pass under the Lux et Lex Archway to signify the beginning of alumni careers. Hosted by the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Families are encouraged to gather at the walkway to cheer on our graduates beginning at 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 10
7:30 - 9 A.M. | 31st Annual African American Alumni Council (AAAC) Graduation Breakfast
Steinman College Center, Booth Ferris
Advanced registration is required.
7:30 - 9 A.M. | 4th Asociacion Latino pare Movimiento Alumnal (ALMA) Graduation Breakfast
Benjamin Franklin Dining Hall, Catering Suite
Advanced registration is required.
8 A.M. - 3 P.M. | Diplomatic Cafe Open
Distler House
8:30 A.M. | Doors Open for Commencement Ceremony
Alumni Sports & Fitness Center, Schnader Field House
A ticket is required for entry.
9 A.M. - 5 P.M. | F&M Bookstore Open
Distler House
9 A.M. | Commencement Graduate Check In and Line Up
Alumni Sports & Fitness Center
All graduates are to report to the Alumni Sports & Fitness Center at 9 a.m. for line-up.
9:30 A.M. | Commencement Live Broadcast Viewing Party
Ann & Richard Barshinger Center for Musical Arts
Doors open at 9 a.m., and viewing begins at 9:30 a.m. Tickets are not required; seating is first come, first served.
10 A.M. | 238th Commencement Ceremony
Alumni Sports & Fitness Center, Schnader Field House
Doors open at 8:30 a.m. A ticket is required for entry.
12:30 - 2:30 P.M. | Graduates & Families Reception with Faculty
Mayser Gymnasium
Enjoy light refreshments as graduates and their guests meet and greet with their F&M faculty.
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.
Commencement Program Book
Our Seniors in the Spotlight
May 6, 2025
‘You’re in a Place Where Everyone Is Rooting for You’
Shreya Punj ’25 found her time at F&M to be a period of personal growth, fueled by a vibrant campus life that encouraged learning beyond the classroom. “F&M is home to people with diverse experiences and interests,” she said. “Learning from my peers and becoming friends with people who have lived drastically different lives than me has been an enriching experience and contributed significantly to my growth in the last four years.”
May 1, 2025
‘Buttons in a Jar’: The Writing World of Sandra Cisneros
For Commencement speaker Sandra Cisneros, writing is more than a craft. It’s a higher calling. “It’s part of my spirit walk,” says the acclaimed author of “The House on Mango Street.”
April 29, 2025
Academics, Athletics & Adventure: Koa Kaliebe’s F&M Trifecta
At F&M, Koa Kaliebe '25 wasn't just a student-athlete; he was an explorer. While he competed on the Men's Varsity Soccer team, Kaliebe also dove into intramural volleyball and basketball, a custom major in business and environmental studies, and the culinary scene of Lancaster.
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.