UPJ Commencement

Congratulations, Class of 2026! We are excited to celebrate you and your accomplishments.

The registration link is now live. Tell us if you're attending.

Graduates wishing to participate in the ceremony must RSVP.

The RSVP process closes Friday, April 3, 2026, at 5:00pm.

See below for more information about regalia.

Graduate Regalia

Regalia may be purchased through The University Store on Fifth, Pittsburgh campus.
Be sure to choose the "Johnstown Regalia" option
Orders may be shipped to you or picked up at The University Store on Fifth, Pittsburgh.
Contact The University Store on Fifth with any ordering issues. 412-648-1455
Graduates must wear official academic regalia (cap, gown, and tassel.)
The tassel colors are specific to the academic division. This selection is made at the time of purchase.

Honors cords will be provided to graduates meeting the following criteria as of their last fully completed and graded semester:
- 60 letter-graded credits
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25
The tassel is to be worn on the graduate’s RIGHT side of the cap during the processional.
Caps are to be worn parallel to the floor, not at an angle.
Graduates are welcome to decorate their caps, but all content must be appropriate for this academic ceremony.

Parking and Accessibility

Parking is available at the Sports & Wellness Center, Penn Highlands Community College, along Highfield Avenue, and the Biddle Hall parking lot.
ADA parking is available closest to the Sports & Wellness Center. Police Officers will be on-site to assist and direct.
Guests with a need may be dropped off at the drive-up circle (by the flag pole) closest to the Sports/Wellness Center.
The accessible seating is located just inside the main entrance to the Sports Center in the upper lobby overlooking the ceremony and is first-come, first-served.
One companion seat is available for each accessible seat/spot to ensure there is enough space for everyone with a need.
An ASL interpreter will be present at the ceremony and on the live stream/recorded video.
A shuttle will be available to help transport guests from the parking areas to the venue and back to the outer lots afterward.
Parking and venue entrance maps can be viewed by clicking the links below:

Tickets, Entrance Times, and Livestream

Each graduate will receive five (5) guest tickets.
Tickets are required for guests entering the live ceremony location (Sports Center gymnasium.) Graduates do not need a ticket.
Due to venue capacity, there are no extra tickets to distribute.
Information will be sent in April to graduates who have RSVP'd regarding getting their guest tickets.
Doors will open for guests at 11:30 am.
The ceremony will be live-streamed for those celebrating virtually. The link will be on this site on the day of the ceremony.
The livestream will also be broadcast in the comfortable air-conditioned Wellness Center gymnasium viewing area for guests without tickets.

Graduate Arrival

More info coming!
Staging area for graduates: Wellness Center gymnasium
If there is a line at the building entrance upon arrival, graduates should move to the front of the line to ensure promptness.
Graduates will check in at the staging area and receive a card listing name, major(s), and honors, if applicable. During the ceremony, this card is handed to the announcer before going on stage. Without the card, the graduate will not be announced. Please do not lose the card.
Next, find the seat in the staging area with your name on it. Ceremony coordinators will provide additional instructions at this time. Please listen carefully to these instructions.
There are several steps onto and off of the stage, so please email upjgrad@pitt.edu if you need specific ADA or mobility accommodations.

General Information

While it is difficult to predict precisely, the ceremony is estimated to last approximately 2.5 hours.
Everyone is welcome to join the post-commencement reception in the Wellness Center gymnasium following the ceremony.
A professional photography company, Grad Images, will be on-site to take photos of the graduates as they cross the stage. These photos will be available for purchase after the ceremony. More information to come.
University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown-branded announcement cards are available through Josten's website.
Graduates and families are welcome to visit campus – especially the Mountain Cat - for photos!
Other questions? Email upjgrad@pitt.edu