Stockbridge School of Agriculture

The University of Massachusetts Amherst Stockbridge AS Degree Commencement Ceremony will take place Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. in Bowker Auditorium, Stockbridge Hall.

Schedule of Events

• 1:00 p.m. Candidates arrive with robes for mandatory rehearsal in Bowker Auditorium
• 1:45 p.m. Candidates gather on front steps of Stockbridge Hall for class photo
• 2:30 p.m. Candidates assemble in the basement of Stockbridge Hall
• 2:55 p.m. Procession of candidates
• 3:00 p.m. Ceremony begins
• 4:00 p.m. Ceremony ends. Reception follows immediately on east lawn

CAPS, GOWNS, TASSELS

• Caps, gowns, and tassels, all prepaid by your senior fee, will be distributed on the following days:
• At the Commencement Fair: May 7, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the Campus Center Auditorium
• The week of Commencement: May 12-15, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in Campus Center Room 165
• Please remember to bring your ID card.

COMMENCEMENT RECEPTION
Plan to attend the reception at 4:00 p.m., immediately following the commencement ceremony. Refreshments for all graduates and guests will be served on the east lawn of Stockbridge Hall.

DIPLOMAS
To ensure delivery of your diploma, please check SPIRE to confirm your diploma mailing address. Diplomas will be mailed after grades have been received, recorded and processed. The anticipated mailing date is August 31, 2025.

GRADUATION ELIGIBILITY

• Students who completed their degree requirements in January 2025 and those who anticipate completing them by May 2025 are eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony.
• If you graduated in January 2025 and wish to attend the May 2025 ceremony, please contact Elizabeth Wiernasz, 211 Paige Lab, by March 22.
• If you are scheduled to graduate after completing the Fall 2025 term, and wish to attend the May 2025 ceremony, please contact Elizabeth Wiernasz, 211 Paige Lab, by March 22.

Questions regarding degree requirements and/or graduation credits should be immediately directed to Dr. Baoshan Xing, 205 Paige Lab.

GRADUATION KEEPSAKES
Jostens® can help commemorate your graduation with products that include class rings, diploma frames, graduation announcements, and more! Visit jostens.com to see their list of products or to place an order!

HOMETOWN PRESS RELEASES
Each summer the Office of News and Media Relations sends press releases about in- state graduates to daily and weekly hometown newspapers in Massachusetts. Because of the large number of graduates involved, names are usually published in lists. Out-of- state graduates wishing to have press releases sent to their hometown newspapers must complete a form available from the News Office at https://www.umass.edu/news/news-events/hometown-news-requests or call (413) 545-0444.

MEDALLIONS
University medallions are presented to each graduate during the ceremony.

PARKING
On May 17 vehicles may be parked in Lot 65 near Bowditch Hall and the Campus Center Parking Garage, free of charge.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Professional photographers will take pictures, available for purchase, as graduates receive their diplomas. Personal photography/videotaping is permitted provided it does not interfere with the ceremony.

REHEARSAL
A MANDATORY rehearsal will be held on Saturday, May 17 at 1:00 p.m. in Bowker Auditorium, Stockbridge Hall.

The seating plan for candidates in each major will be arranged during rehearsal.

SENIOR PORTRAITS
Ultimate Exposures® will be on campus to take cap and gown photos as well as professional photos. A cap, gown, and tassel will be provided, and sittings are free.  Portrait dates are: 

• April 29 - Campus Center Room 903, 905-09
• May 1, 2 - Campus Center Room 903, 905-09
• May 13, 14, 15 - Campus Center Room 163C

Make an appointment online by visiting, ultimateexposures.com.