Graduate Hooding
Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 6:30 pm
The Graduate Hooding Ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 9, 2024, in the Barbara Walters Campus Center Multipurpose Rooms. The ceremony begins at 6:30 pm. A celebratory reception will follow the ceremony.
Graduate Hooding Livestream: https://vimeo.com/showcase/slc-graduate-hooding-2024
Commencement Ceremony
Friday, May 10, 2024 at 10 am
The 96th Commencement Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 10, 2024, under a tent (rain or shine) on Westlands South Lawn. The ceremony begins at 10 am. A celebratory reception on the North Lawn will follow the ceremony, and all guests are invited.
Commencement Livestream: https://vimeo.com/showcase/slc-commencement-2024
Please note: All guests must be prepared to adhere to visitor guidelines in place at the time of Commencement.
Commencement Ceremony Speaker
U.S. Surgeon General Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, MD, MBA will be the guest speaker at the College’s 96th Commencement.
Dr. Murthy was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in March 2021 to serve as the 21st Surgeon General of the United States. As the nation’s top doctor, Dr. Murthy helps to advance the health and well-being of all Americans and has worked to address critical public health issues. He has issued Surgeon General Advisories on the youth mental health crisis and social media’s impact on youth mental health, the epidemic of loneliness and isolation, and burnout in the health worker community. Dr. Murthy also issued a Surgeon General’s Framework on mental health in the workplace. He is the first Surgeon General to host a podcast, House Calls with Dr. Vivek Murthy, where he invites guests and listeners to explore how we can all build more connected and meaningful lives.
As Vice Admiral of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Dr. Murthy oversees more than 6,000 dedicated public health officers serving underserved and vulnerable populations.
Dr. Murthy previously served as the 19th Surgeon General under President Obama. Raised in Miami, he received his bachelor’s degree from Harvard, his medical degree from the Yale School of Medicine, and his Masters in Business Administration from the Yale School of Management.
Diploma Pick Up
Following the Commencement ceremony, May 2024 graduates may pick up their diploma at the Esther Raushenbush Library between 1-3p.m. The student must present their SLC ID or government-issued ID upon pickup; diplomas are issued only to the graduate.
May 2024 graduates who have received their grades and evaluations from faculty by the May 3 deadline and are therefore cleared to graduate, may pick up their diploma at the Esther Raushenbush Library between 1-3p.m. Expected May 2024 graduates who have not received their Spring 2024 grades/evaluations by the May 3 deadline can pick up their diploma, once cleared to graduate, the week of May 13 or request to have their diploma mailed.
August 2023 and December 2023 graduates attending the ceremony, who have not yet received their diploma by commencement, can also pick up on May 10 between 1-3p.m. Expected August 2024 and December 2024 graduates attending the ceremony will not have their degree conferred until degree requirements are met, therefore diplomas can be picked up or mailed after degree conferral.
Graduates and expected graduates attending the ceremony receive a diploma cover when they cross stage. Whether or not a diploma is available and issued, students are expected to return the diploma cover to the Library between 1-3p.m. Graduates expecting a diploma - August/December 2023 and May 2024 - are expected to bring the cover to the Library for the diploma to be inserted.
Commencement Ticketing and Seating
Seating at the Commencement Ceremony is very limited, and it is an event that requires tickets for guests. Each graduate will receive a total of four tickets (two for admission under the Westlands Lawn Tent and two for admission to the watch party location in the Barbara Walters Campus Center. Reisinger Concert Hall opens as a secondary viewing locations once graduates process out to the tent). Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis for ticket holders and begins at 8:30 am on May 10. Students will be notified when tickets are available for pick up on campus. Please hold on to your tickets, as they cannot be replaced if lost.
Seating Accommodations
Sarah Lawrence College is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive event for students and their loved ones. Access considerations are an important part of the planning process. If you anticipate needing accommodations for a ticketed guest, please email SLC Events by April 26, 2024. In your request, please include the graduate's name, guest’s name, and what type of seating or service your guest is requesting.
*Please note that due to ongoing campus renovations of the Siegel Center, the nearest ADA restrooms from Westlands South Lawn will be located at the Barbara Walters Campus Center. We will make extra seating available at the Barbara Walters Campus Center if close proximity to an ADA restroom is requested.
Parking on Campus
For Commencement, parking lots will open at 7:45 am on Friday, May 10. Guests may park in any Sarah Lawrence parking lot as directed by Campus Safety. Please note that parking on any side street or Kimball Avenue may result in a ticket from the City of Yonkers. SLC Campus Safety officers will be directing traffic on campus and will let guests know when lots are full. Once all lots are full, there will be a designated overflow parking area at the Cross County Mall with shuttle service to and from campus.
SLC Campus Safety and LEROS Transportation Services will provide shuttle services to all campus parking lots, the Bronxville Metro-North Station, and Cross County Mall/the Hyatt between 7:45 - 10:30 am and will resume from 12:30 - 3 pm.
Please call Campus Safety at 914-395-2209 with any questions about parking on Commencement Day. Also, please refer to our interactive campus map for more information on parking, dining and restroom locations.
Livestream of Ceremony
The Commencement ceremony will be streamed live for all to watch virtually. A link to the livestream feed will be added to the Sarah Lawrence home page prior to the start of the ceremony.
Kudos for the Graduates!
Share your good wishes with your favorite graduate by posting photos, videos, or a written message of congratulations on our Commencement Kudoboard!
Photographs
This is a big day for students and their families! The College has arranged for a professional photographer to take pictures of every student as they cross the stage and after they have exited the stage during the ceremony. These pictures will be available for purchase a few weeks after Commencement; an order form for the photographs will be emailed as well as mailed to the student’s home address. We hope that this will enable families to sit comfortably in their seats with the reassurance that they will have a professionally produced photographic recording of this very special moment.
To make sure all guests have a positive experience during the ceremony please do not stand up in rows, as this will block the view of those seated behind. Standing in or blocking aisles is not permitted.
All graduating students will have a portrait option on campus. Portrait dates will be Wednesday, April 17 and Thursday, April 18 from 10 am - 4 pm in the Barbara Walters Campus Center Gallery Room (across from the Student Involvement Offices).
Commencement Week Activities/Residence Hall Closings
Traditionally, Commencement Week is an opportunity for graduates to spend time with each other and with faculty. Seniors are welcome to remain in their residence halls during this time. Graduates must move out of their residence halls by 8 pm on Friday, May 10. See Commencement Week Schedule here.
Cap & Gown
Cap and gown are provided to graduates at no charge. Measurements must be given to SLC Events by March 8. An email was sent to graduates in late January requesting this information. This regalia includes a cap and tassel, and students are welcome to keep the regalia after commencement. The regalia, called GreenWeaver®, is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles in an effort to remain environmentally conscious.
Graduation announcements
Graduation announcements are available from Jostens. Order announcements online at www.jostens.com/college or by calling 1-800-854-7464.
Lodging and Restaurants
Some nearby hotels and restaurants offer discounted rates or specials for Sarah Lawrence College friends and family. Ask for the "SLC college" rate when booking or making a reservation.
Family Celebratory Reception
Join President Cristle Collins Judd for a celebratory reception in honor of graduating students in the scenic backyard garden of the President's House. Enjoy the company of your loved ones, fellow graduating students, esteemed faculty, and staff on the evening before Commencement. Light bites and refreshments will be served.
Thursday, May 9, 3:00 - 4:30 pmThe President’s House
935 Kimball Avenue
Bronxville, NY 10708
Guests attending the Family Celebratory Reception at the President’s House on Thursday, May 9 can park in any lot on campus. The parking lots closest to the President’s House are: Andrews Parking Lot, Morrill Parking Lot, and Marshall Field Parking Lot. Please email events@sarahlawrence.edu if you need special accommodations.
ShopSLC Campus Store
Popping up on the 2nd floor of the Performing Arts Center throughout the semester: limited edition SLC gear. From t-shirts and sweatshirts to bags, mugs, and more, these exclusive items are available on campus only.
Shop These Dates & Times(2nd floor of the Performing Arts Center)
Thursday, May 9, 2 – 5 pm
Friday, May 10, 12 – 2 pm