BGS Graduation 2025

University Commencement

Penn's 269th Commencement ceremony will take place on Monday, May 19, 2025 in Franklin Field at 10:15 a.m., and is preceded by student and academic processions to the stadium. The gates to Franklin Field will open at 8:00 a.m. for guest entry. The ceremony will feature the conferral of degrees, the awarding of honorary degrees, greetings by University officials, and remarks by the Commencement speaker, who will be announced in the spring. Visit the Penn Commencement site for more information on this event.

BGS Graduation and Hooding Ceremony

Directly following the University Commencement, BGS will hold its graduation and hooding ceremony in the Harrison Auditorium at the Penn Museum beginning with a reception at 12:30pm. Additional details will be provided to graduating students. Students graduating in August 2024, December 2024, and May 2025 can RSVP online here.

The RSVP deadline is Monday, May 5, 2025. Please be advised that you may request up to four (4) guests* to join you for the hooding ceremony in the auditorium. We are unable to allow additional guests and seating will be limited to the number of guests designated during RSVP.

*Note that your thesis advisor will be invited to participate in the ceremony and should not be counted as a guest.

Regalia

ACADEMIC REGALIA IS REQUIRED for participation in both the University Commencement as well as the BGS graduation ceremonies, which will include the hooding of graduates by their advisors or graduate groups. BGS students are welcome to use the standard doctoral regalia, and do not need to order custom regalia. Regalia is the responsibility of the graduate and will not be provided by BGS.

You are strongly encouraged to order as soon as possible, but you must order by March 29, 2025 in order to receive your regalia in time for Commencement. Detailed information about obtaining regalia is available on Grad Express.

Masters and PhD candidates who plan to participate in graduation have a few options for purchasing standard (black) regalia:

Purchase regalia online now and have items shipped to your home (shipping fees apply). The final deadline for online purchases is March 21: we recommend submitting orders earlier to allow for any potential shipping delays or disruptions.
Purchase and pick-up their caps & gowns, as well as other items such as diploma frames, class rings, and gifts at the Penn Bookstore on March 19-21. Graduates will be able to purchase and pick up their Commencement regalia on the second level of the Penn Bookstore near the textbook department during the store’s normal operating hours. Use this opportunity to try on your gown, ask staff members questions, and get excited for the big event!

Most graduates choose traditional doctoral regalia. Traditional regalia includes a black robe (with adornments that correspond to colors associated with your degree) along with a mortar board, and tassel. You can pick up your traditional regalia package at the Penn Bookstore during Grad Fair or order online by March 29, 2025.

Custom Regalia is typically chosen by Doctoral candidates who plan to frequently participate in academic ceremonies requiring such unique attire in the future. Many universities will purchase custom regalia for new faculty for use in official ceremonies, so graduates may also opt to delay purchase until after graduation.

Please keep in mind you are not required to purchase custom regalia and, with few exceptions, graduates most often choose traditional doctoral regalia. Custom regalia robes are red and blue, individually sized, and made of lightweight wool blended fabric with lined bell sleeves.
If you plan to purchase Custom Doctoral regalia, you should order it online by March 7 and have it shipped directly. More information on ordering your regalia is available on Grad Express.

Costs for regalia (Cap, Gown, Hood & Tassel) vary by degree level and type:

Master’s: $105.00 plus tax
Doctoral traditional: $126 plus tax
Custom Doctoral: approx. $915 plus tax

Regalia is the responsibility of the graduate and will not be provided by BGS.

Faculty regalia can be ordered through the campus bookstore. You are strongly encouraged to order as soon as possible, but you must order by April 4, 2025 in order to ensure you receive your regalia in time for Commencement. To order regalia, visit https://oakhallcg.com/pages/pennfaculty. If you have additional questions, please contact the bookstore at 215-898-7595.

In addition to picking up your regalia, 2025 graduates are encouraged to visit Grad Express where you can find explore a variety of resources and benefits to take advantage of both before graduation and in post-grad life, such as special alumni discounts, setting up an alumni email account, last-chance educational discounts on computer products, and more. On Grad Express you can order rings, diploma frames, and announcements to commemorate your achievement! Grad Express also contains information about what to do if you are unable to visit the Penn Bookstore during Grad Fair to obtain your regalia.