The Commencement Ceremony will take place on the Bellarmine Lawn, behind Bellarmine Hall high on a hill overlooking Long Island Sound. As you prepare to visit, keep in mind that reaching Bellarmine Lawn requires navigating an uneven grassy surface and walking up a large hill. Please come prepared for inclement weather with appropriate gear as every attempt will be made to hold the ceremony outdoors, even in rain. We ask attendees to refrain from using umbrellas during the ceremony in order to not block the view of others.

Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony Speaker
Robert D. Manfred Jr.

Graduate Commencement Ceremony Speaker
Allison Joy Rivera

Honorary Degrees
Carl F. Bailey Jr. ’75
Nicole Hockley

Guests are welcome to view the Graduate Commencement ceremony at the indoor livestream viewing locations specified on the back of all tickets. View our campus map to see the indoor live-stream viewing locations.

• Quick Center – Kelley Theatre
• Dolan School of Business – Event Hall

In the case of severe and/or dangerous weather, priority will be given to those who present a ticket to enter these locations since space is limited.

Yes, the ceremony will be live-streamed and archived on the University website.

Commencement programs will be distributed on campus at the entrance to Bellarmine Lawn, at all indoor viewing locations, and, in the event of severe and/or dangerous weather, at the entrance to the RecPlex.

The ceremony will be approximately two hours in length.

In the case of severe and/or dangerous weather, the University may choose to move the ceremony indoors to the Field House located within the RecPlex. Since space within this facility will be limited, ONLY TWO (2) GUESTS PER GRADUATE WILL BE PERMITTED INDOORS with a valid, specially marked, indoor ticket which must be presented in order to enter the RecPlex Field House for the in-person ceremonies.

The three remaining tickets will have a specified indoor viewing location marked on the backside of the ticket. View our campus map to see the indoor live-stream viewing locations.

The decision to move Commencement indoors will be broadcast starting at 6 a.m. on Saturday, May 21. Each graduate will receive a message to their cell phone via the University StagAlert emergency notification system, and full details will be posted on www.fairfield.edu, digital signage in the Barone Campus Center, and the recording on the University’s main phone line, (203) 254-4000. Additional information can be found at fairfield.edu/commencement.

Each student will receive five (5) tickets to the outdoor ceremony on Bellarmine Lawn. Due to space limitations, the University will not be able to distribute additional tickets. Students who do not need all of their allotted tickets may share with others if they choose.

In the case of severe and/or dangerous weather, the ceremony will be held inside the RecPlex Field House. Due to limited space, ONLY TWO (2) GUESTS PER STUDENT WILL BE PERMITTED INDOORS. A valid, specially marked, indoor ticket must be presented in order to enter the RecPlex Field House for the in-person ceremonies. Please reference the "INCLEMENT AND SEVERE WEATHER PLAN" above for additional instructions

Students may pick up their Commencement tickets during the Commencement Fair on Tuesday, May 17 from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. in the Lower Level of the Barone Campus Center. Students are required to bring their Stag Card for pick up.

Students who are unable to obtain their tickets at the Commencement Fair will have an opportunity to do so at the Stag Spirit Shop in the Barone Campus Center through Saturday, May 21. More information about the Stag Spirit Shop hours will be shared following the Commencement Fair.

Students are reminded to safeguard their tickets. LOST TICKETS WILL NOT BE REPLACED

For those without tickets, the ceremony will be live-streamed on the University website.

Fairfield University encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. The Commencement Ceremony will take place on the Bellarmine Lawn, behind Bellarmine Hall, high on a hill overlooking Long Island Sound. As you prepare to visit, keep in mind that reaching Bellarmine Lawn requires navigating an uneven grassy surface and walking up a large hill. Therefore, for those with disabilities, who wish to view the ceremony outdoors, a limited number of Disabled Seating has been arranged, on a first come, first served basis. Please note that the Disabled Seating space can accommodate persons with disabilities being accompanied by only one additional companion in this reserved seating section. The University does not provide wheelchairs for use during Commencement, however the Disabled Seating space can accommodate an individual’s own wheelchair.

For those who would prefer to view the ceremony indoors, there will be several locations across campus with live-streaming of the ceremony.

Per the Academic Regalia Policy and Guidelines, all students participating in the ceremony are required to wear regalia which includes a gown, hood, and cap with a black tassel.

An accessory, such as a cord, pin or stole, can further adorn one’s regalia if the accessory was presented as recognition of one’s academic achievement through: 1) a nationally-recognized honor society, or 2) an academic program sanctioned by the University (e.g., the Honors Program). The Office of the Provost approves all academic accessories prior to their inclusion in Commencement.

There are no accessories for the undergraduate Latin Honors: Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Cum Laude. Students who have achieved these honorary titles are noted in the Commencement program.

All students participating in the Commencement Ceremony are required to purchase regalia online by Saturday, April 9 in order to have your items shipped home.

Ordering online by Saturday, April 9 is preferred and recommended, however for those who miss the online ordering deadline, there will be regalia available for purchase at the Commencement Fair on Tuesday, May 17 and at the Stag Spirit Shop the week prior to Commencement.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be celebrated in the RecPlex, Field House on Saturday, May 21 at 4 p.m. There will also be a live-stream viewing in the chapel for overflow. Tickets are not required.

On Saturday, May 21, immediately following the Graduate Commencement Ceremony, a reception will be held for all graduate students and their families at the Kelley Center. This optional event provides an informal opportunity to celebrate with your classmates along with the deans and faculty members of each school. Tickets are not required.

In order to participate in Commencement, all candidates must apply to graduate by the March 15 deadline. In addition, all holds on your account must be resolved prior to graduation.

For additional information and instructions, please refer to the Apply to Graduate Instructions.

All students are required to attend the Commencement Guidelines Meeting on Tuesday, May 17 at 5 p.m. in the Dogwood Room at Barone Campus Center. This is a non-ticketed event that reviews all aspects of the upcoming ceremony. Additional information to come.

• Go to Life@Fairfield to find Procession Instructions for classroom assignments. The PDF document is located at the bottom of the page.
• Arrive to your classroom on Saturday, May 21 no later than 7:30 a.m.
• Upon arrival, check in with your Faculty Marshal.
• Be sure to review your index card to verify the pronunciation of your name.
• Complete the back of the card to receive communication from GradImages about your photos. The Marshal will retain your card.

Yes, a photographer from GradImages™ will be at your ceremony to take a candid photograph of you at your special moment of recognition. You will receive a free passport-sized digital proof of this photo on an order card within 5 to 7 days following the ceremony. After Commencement, graduates can locate their graduation photos online by visiting GradImages.com – as well as view and purchase custom photo products like prints, plaques, specialty gifts, and more.

The following pieces of information are required to access their account:

• Last Name of the graduate
• School name
• Graduation Year

Since photographs will be available, family members and guests are encouraged to remain in their seats, relax and enjoy the ceremony.

Graduates can pre-register their name and email address at www.gradimages.com. By doing so, they will receive a discount of 20% off an order of $50 or more. To pre-register, visit www.gradimages.com and click on Registration.

If have any questions or concerns regarding your photos, please contact the Customer Service Department at (800) 261-2576, online at www.gradimages.com, or email ecc.giservice@gradimages.net. There is a large team of customer care representatives ready to help graduates and family members with anything they may need.

Upon verification that your graduation requirements have been met, the Registrar will mail your diploma to the address you provided on your graduation application. If you are scheduled to graduate in May, diplomas will be mailed out in June. Additional questions may be directed to registrar@fairfield.edu.

Disabled Parking will be offered on a first come, first served basis in the lot in front of the Dolan School and in the lots by the Barnyard Townhouses. To park in these lots, visitors will need to display government-issued Disabled Parking Permits. Volunteers provide intermittent transportation from these lots to Bellarmine Lawn to those with physical disabilities.

Yes. For information on ordering personalized announcements, diploma frames, and class rings please click here.

No. Because of the many events already taking place on campus, we are unable to offer space for private functions. We would suggest you contact a local restaurant or hotel. Visit the area hospitality page here.

There is a wide selection of hotels within two to ten miles of the campus. It is strongly recommended that you make reservations as soon as possible. Visit the area hospitality page here.

Information about upcoming alumni programs and invitations to events is shared via email and is often based on your geographic location. While you will have access to your Fairfield email account as alumni, we also understand that it may or may not be your preferred email account. To make sure we have your most up-to-date email and home address in our system, you will want to register with our Alumni Online Community by visiting fairfield.edu/alumnicommunity.

From there, click “Register Now” under “First Time Visitor.” Search by your first and last name, enter your student ID when prompted, and follow subsequent prompts to set up your username and password. For questions, email communityhelp@fairfield.edu.

If you have any Commencement-related questions that were not addressed on this FAQ page, please email commencement@fairfield.edu.

Alumni Relations
(203) 254-4280

Bursar
(203) 254-4095

College of Arts and Sciences
(203) 254-4000, ext. 2227

Charles F. Dolan School of Business
(203) 254-4070

Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies
(203) 254-4150

Media Relations

Public Safety
(203) 254-4090

Registrar
(203) 254-4288

School of Education and Human Development
(203) 254-4250

School of Engineering
(203) 254-4147

Stag Spirit Shop
(203) 254-4262

Student Engagement
(203) 254-4053

University Faculty and Staff Directory