Commencement at Lock Haven

Tickets & Seating

• Commonwealth University will be utilizing an electronic ticketing system for our commencement ceremonies. Graduates will receive information regarding tickets once their graduation application is approved and towards the end of the semester. You must register for your tickets on or before April 30, 2025. After this date, the waitlist will be filled and tickets will not be guaranteed. There will not be any tickets handed out or be able to be claimed the day of the ceremony.
• Tickets are required to enter Thomas Fieldhouse and Hubert Jack Stadium
• Up to six (6) guests per graduate
  • Additional tickets may be available based on a waitlist
  • There is no guarantee of receiving additional tickets
• Children 2 years of age and under will not require a ticket, but need to sit on a lap
  • No car seats, strollers, etc
  • Wearable baby packs are allowed, but will be subject to inspection
• All seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis

Ticket Distribution

• Information will be emailed to eligible graduates closer to the event date.

Graduate Ceremony Information

• Friday, May 16, 6:00 P.M.
  • Doors will open at 5:00 P.M. at Thomas Fieldhouse
  • Buses will not run during this ceremony
  • Ceremony will begin at 6:00 P.M.

Undergraduate Ceremony Information

• Saturday, May 17, 9:00 A.M. — College of Arts, Humanities, Education & Social Sciences
  • Doors will open at 8:00 A.M. at Thomas Fieldhouse
  • Buses to start picking up at 7:30 A.M.
  • Ceremony will begin at 9:00 A.M. Ceremony should last approximately 1.5 hours.
  • Buses to pick up at Thomas fieldhouse starting at 10:15 A.M. to drop back off.
• Saturday, May 17, 12:00 P.M. — College of Health, Science & Technology and Zeigler College of Business
  • Doors will open at 11:00 A.M. at Thomas Fieldhouse
  • Buses to start picking up at 10:45 A.M.
  • Ceremony will begin at 12:00 P.M. Ceremony should last approximately 1.5 hours
  • Buses to pick up at Thomas Field House starting at 1:15 P.M. to drop back off.

Parking Information

• Signage and University Police personnel will direct guests to empty lots for the ceremonies on Friday, May 16, and Saturday, May 17.
• On Friday and Saturday, lots 9, 19 and 8 will all be available for commencement guest parking. Disability/ADA parking will be available on Campus Drive for Friday’s ceremony and in Lot 16 for Saturday’s ceremony. A handicap placard or license plate will need to be displayed. Overflow parking for Price will be located in lots 2 and 2A.
• Disability accessible trolleys and buses will transport guests, from Lot 16 only, to the fieldhouse prior to the start of Saturday’s ceremony and immediately following the ceremony.
• Lots 3A and 3B will be reserved for faculty and staff on Friday and Saturday.

Please refer to our commencement parking map and bus route map for more details.

For the safety, security, and to enhance the experience of our students and guests, Commonwealth University Police have implemented and adhere to the Clear Bag Policy to enhance safety. This is similar to policies at many stadiums and large event venues. In addition to increasing the safety standards at commencement, your cooperation in complying will expediting entrance into our facilities and venues providing the best possible experience during their time on our campus.

As always, guests may carry approved, personal items in their pockets or jackets, including keys, phones, wallets, and credit cards. Bags that do not meet the policy are prohibited from entering the complex. Relocation / disposal of non-permissible bags off the venue will be the responsibility of the owner. No bag check will be available. CU is not responsible for items left behind, lost, stolen, or damaged. As a reminder, this policy pertains to bags and is not an all-inclusive list of items that are prohibited from being taken into our venues. Guests are encouraged to bring only necessary items into the venue, all guests and their belongings are subject to inspection at the entrances.

View Clear Bag Policy Poster

The following items are approved for entry into commencement ceremonies:

• Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC tote no larger than 12"x12"x6"
• Clear plastic storage bag, 1 gallon size, re-sealable
• Small clutch bag, approximately the size of a hand, with or without a handle or strap, no larger than 4.5"x6.5"
• Clear Plastic Water Bottles

The following items are not approved for entry into commencement ceremonies:

• Large Purses
• Strollers
• Coolers
• Briefcases
• Backpacks
• Wrapped Gifts
• Diaper Bags
• Computer Bags
• Luggage of Any Kind
• Cinch Bags
• Fanny Packs
• Camera Bags
• Umbrellas
• Glass Bottles

This policy will be strictly enforced.

Information will be available once details are finalized.

GradImages will be onsite taking photos of each graduate. All graduates will receive copies of the proofs for them to view and order as desired. Pictures are taken at no cost to the student and ordering is optional.

2025 Spring Commencement

• Graduate Ceremony – Friday, May 16, 2025, 6:00 P.M.
  • View live stream – Starts at 5:45 PM EDT on Friday, May 16, 2025
• Undergraduate Ceremony – Saturday, May 17, 2025, 9:00 A.M.
  • College of Arts, Humanities, Education & Social Sciences
  • View live stream – Starts at 8:45 AM EDT on Saturday, May 17, 2025
• Undergraduate Ceremony – Saturday, May 17, 2025, 12:00 P.M.
  • College of Arts, Humanities, Education & Social Sciences
  • View live stream – Starts at 11:45 AM EDT on Saturday, May 17, 2025

Undergraduate Students

Grad Fair will be held March 6th at the University Store. Students can purchase their graduation regalia in store during that event. If unable to attend Grad Fair, students can also purchase online through the Lock Haven University Store.

Graduate Students

Graduate students will purchase their cap, gown and tassel at jostens.com.  The deadline to order is March 27th.

Information will be available once details are finalized.

Visit the Lock Haven University Store.

CU-Lock Haven is excited to welcome you to Thomas Field House, your safety is a priority, please read the below emergency plan to assist prepare you for an enjoyable ceremony.

CU-Lock Haven strives to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for all attendees during commencement activities. To this end, the University collaborates with the City of Lock Haven, Clinton County Emergency Management, state agencies and the private sector to support the event. Many of these resources work behind the scene, both inside and outside the venue.

• Report a Public Safety Issue
  • To report a public safety issue, call CU Lock Haven Police at 570-484-2278 or 911 if it is an emergency. The public may also report a concern in person to any law enforcement officer. Make sure to provide the section, row, and seat number.
• Public Address Announcements
  • Should an emergency occur, instructions will be provided through public address system. Public safety personnel dispersed throughout the auditorium may also provide instructions to guests. It is important for people to remain calm and follow the instructions.
• Medical
  • If medical attention is needed, please call 911 or 570-484-2278 to request assistance. If telephone service is unavailable, ask or direct someone to contact the nearest usher or police officer. Police & security personnel are deployed throughout the auditorium. If public safety personnel cannot be immediately located but other University support personnel are available, ask them to request assistance. Medical personnel are stationed in the lobby of Thomas Field House.
  • Remember to provide the location (section, row, and seat number) and nature of the emergency.
  • Persons with mobility impairments who need assistance evacuating will be assisted by event staff and emergency responders.
• Lost Child
  • Parents or a designated responsible adult should advise children to seek a law enforcement officer if they are lost or become separated. Parents or a designated responsible adult may call CU Lock Haven PD at 570-484-2278 or report their lost child to the nearest police officer or security personnel. It is important to provide a description (clothing, age, last known location, etc. Parents should carry a photograph or have an electronic picture of their children. Parents may also want to (1) photograph their children with a cell phone before commencement, (2) leave their contact information in their children's pocket, and (3) have a designated meeting location should they become separated.
• Power Failure
  • If the power fails, instructions will be provided through the public address system. Please remain calm and in your seat until instructions are provided. Consider bringing a small penlight to assist you while the power is out.
• Evacuation
  • Under special circumstances for safety purposes, guests may be required to evacuate the venue. Should this occur, please follow the directions provided through the public address system and leave in a calm, orderly fashion through the nearest exit. (This may not be the entrance you entered.) Please continue to move away from Haas Auditorium so that those behind you have room to exit and are not hindered.
  • Keep in mind that it will take some time to evacuate. Please do not push the crowd but try to keep moving. This will permit a quicker and more efficient evacuation. Guests who need more time may want to leave the auditorium before a foreseeable event (such as weather) arrives.
  • Please watch out for and help people with special needs.
  • If an evacuation were ordered, in most cases it is recommended that guests return to their vehicles and leave the area. In some situations, such as severe weather, it may be advisable to leave the auditorium and seek nearby shelter.
• Weather
  • Should a weather event develop, information and warnings will be provided through the public address system.
• Explosion
  • Call 911 or notify the nearest police officer if an explosion occurs. Guests should move away from the area, exit the field house, and return to their vehicles.
• Fire
  • To report a fire, the public should call 911 or notify the nearest police officer or security personnel. Alert others and move away from the area. Please help persons with special needs.
• Suspicious Behavior/Package
  • As a preventive measure, guests are asked to call 570-484-2278 or notify the nearest police officer or security personnel of a suspicious package or person. Police personnel will pursue an appropriate response based on the circumstance.