Information for Parents

To the Families of Graduating Students:

Union College will hold its 232nd Commencement Exercises at the Roger Hull Plaza in front of Schaffer Library on Sunday, June 14, 2026.

As we prepare to celebrate our graduating seniors this weekend, please review these important reminders and logistics to help you plan your day. Note that a similar message went out yesterday to all graduates outlining these important details.

Commencement website: Check Union's Commencement website for any updates – especially weather-related announcements – and other important information.
Livestream information & video archive: The College will broadcast the ceremony live. You can access the real-time stream via a link on the main Commencement webpage. Additionally, an unedited video archive of the ceremony will be posted on the College website later for unlimited, on-demand viewing.
Weather plans: Union's Commencement will take place outdoors on Roger Hull Plaza, between the Schaffer Library and the Nott Memorial. There will be unlimited outdoor seating as well as seating under two large tents on either side of the Nott Memorial.
- In case of light rain: The main ceremony will remain outdoors in Roger Hull Plaza.
- In case of severe/drenching rain: The ceremony will move indoors to the M&T Bank Center, and rain tickets will be strictly required due to capacity limits. Each student was issued four rain tickets when they picked up their cap and gown in May.
- Rain or shine: Guests may view the live ceremony streamed in the following air-conditioned locations on campus: Reamer Center Auditorium and Olin Center [Room 115].
Order of names: To ensure every student is recognized individually, names will be called in alphabetical order, making it easy to anticipate your graduate's big moment. Please refrain from moving up to the stage or obstructing the procession walkways to take photos.
Professional photography: Grad Images will capture three professional photos of your student: before crossing the stage, while receiving their diploma case from President Kiss and as they exit the stage. Approximately two weeks after the ceremony, proofs will be emailed to your student’s Union email address with an option to purchase. Balfour will also reach out with opportunities to purchase graduation announcements and related products. Please note that Utilizing Grad Images and Balfour is entirely optional; you are under no obligation to purchase.
Diplomas: Students will not receive their physical diplomas on Sunday. Once final degree requirements are verified post-Commencement, graduates will first receive a digital diploma via their Union email, followed by their physical diploma via the U.S. mail.
After the ceremony: Immediately following the Recessional, graduates will head directly to the Rugby Field (located just west of the Nott Memorial). The Rugby Field is the perfect gathering place to celebrate, mingle and take photos of your graduate with family, friends, faculty and staff.Graduation is a time for celebration, reflection, and anticipation for the future. It is a testament to the students' commitment to their education, and also a reflection of the support and encouragement they have received from their families. We recognize the vital role you have played in their journey, and we share in your pride and excitement.

We are thrilled to extend our warmest congratulations on the upcoming graduation of your student from Union College. This momentous occasion marks the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance, and we are incredibly proud of all that our graduating class has accomplished.

We look forward to celebrating this incredible milestone with you on Sunday!

Schedule:

Friday, June 5: last day of classes

Monday, June 8: Thursday, June 11 – final exams

Tuesday - Saturday, June 9-13: Senior Week

Saturday, June 13: Baccalaureate Celebration 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, June 14: Commencement Ceremony 10:00 a.m.

Monday, June 15: Students must move out from residence halls and houses by 12:00 p.m.

Baccalaureate Commemoration: Saturday, June 13 at 4:00 p.m. in Memorial Chapel. This is a ceremony that includes senior class speakers, a faculty speaker, an address to seniors from President Kiss, and musical performances. No tickets are required.

Commencement Ceremony: Sunday, June 14. The ceremony will be held outside, weather permitting, at the Roger Hull Plaza in front of Schaffer Library, with the academic procession at 9:30 a.m. followed by the ceremony at 10:00 a.m. There will be unlimited outdoor seating as well as seating under two large tents on either side of the Nott Memorial. (Please note: Guests seated in the tented areas should be aware that their view of the graduation ceremony may be limited.) No tickets are required.

After the Recessional, graduating seniors will go to Rugby Field, just west of the Nott Memorial, to say their good-byes to faculty, staff, and classmates. Please meet your graduate there. This is an ideal opportunity for you to take photographs of students with family members, friends, and their favorite staff and faculty members.

Weather: In case of light rain, the ceremony will still be held outdoors. Guests can remain outdoors in Library Plaza, or they may watch the ceremony indoors at the nearby Reamer Auditorium and Olin Hall (Room 115) on a first-come, first-served basis.

In the event of sustained, drenching rain or severe weather, the ceremony will be held indoors at the M&T Bank Center and rain tickets will be required. Due to limited indoor seating capacity, each student will be issued four rain tickets. Students will receive these tickets when they pick up their caps & gowns in May. Others may watch the ceremony in Reamer Auditorium and Olin Hall (Room 115). Those who have traveled to the Schenectady area also can elect to remain in their lodgings and enjoy the live stream on their own or hotel devices.

On the morning of Commencement: please visit the Commencement website for updated information regarding weather arrangements.

Live Broadcast: The College will also broadcast the ceremony live, and guests can view it in real time, during good or bad weather. The link for the broadcast will appear on the main commencement web page. The unedited video archive will be posted on the College website for unlimited access.

Parking Information: We regret that parking is not available in close proximity to the ceremony on campus for all guests. Campus safety officers will be stationed at all entrances of the campus to direct cars to on-campus parking on a first-come, first-served basis. If the main campus lots are full, please seek parking spaces at College Park Hall on lower Nott Street and on neighboring streets. Shuttle transportation and golf carts will be available to help transport people from the parking lots to the seating. No reservation is needed. More information is available here.

Accessibility Parking & Seating: A designated seating area will be available for persons with accessibility needs. Accessibility parking is available in the Lamont parking lot for those with an accessibility parking tag. If you don’t have a tag, you may drop guests off in the circle outside Old Chapel and a golf cart will take them to the seating area. No reservation is needed. More information is available here.

Ceremony: To recognize each student individually, we will call graduates’ names in alphabetical order. This will make it easy for all to anticipate the moment at which particular names will be called. I ask that parents and friends refrain from moving up to the platform or otherwise obstructing the flow of the procession to take pictures.

Commencement at Union is a joyous occasion. We understand that graduation is a significant milestone for families, and we want to make this a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone. We hope that the commencement ceremony is a memorable and pleasurable celebration for you. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the campus and the activities of the weekend. All of us here at Union look forward to your visit.

Sincerely yours,

Michele Angrist

Stephen J. and Diane K. Ciesinski Dean of the Faculty and

Vice President for Academic Affairs