CONTACT:
commencement@cedarcrest.edu
610-606-4612
Arrival/Departure
Accessibility
Premium Seating
Academic Procession
Diplomas
Livestreaming
Guests/Tickets
Hooding
Graduate belongings
Cap decoration
Dress Code
Roses for Graduates
Cedar Crest College is pleased to hold our 153rd Commencement Exercises on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the PPL Center in Allentown, just blocks from the College’s historic beginnings at the Zion Reformed Church.
During the ceremony, President Meade will address the graduates, their families and guests, and recognize the academic achievements of the Class of 2023 by conferring their degrees. Remarks will also be provided by this year’s Keynote Speaker and our Student Speaker/s chosen by the Student Speaker Selection Committee.
The Commencement Ceremony lasts approximately two hours – two and a half hours, depending on class size, length of remarks, and other special recognitions.
Nursing Pinning
Doors open for nursing students and guests for Nursing Pinning at 7:15 a.m. The Nursing Pinning ceremony begins at 8:00 a.m.
Nursing students, pinners, and faculty must enter through the LOADING DOCK, which is located at 720 Linden Street. There is NO parking allowed in the Loading Dock. There will be a security guard posted at the entrance. No guests will be admitted through the Loading Dock.
Guests should enter through the Air Products Gate, the WFMZ-69 News Gate, or the NJM Gate. See the PPL Center’s Concourse Map for gate locations.
The PPL Center security staff is utilizing metal detectors at every entrance – including the Loading Dock. Anyone entering the arena will have to go through the metal detectors. Please see the PPL Center’s A-Z Guide for a list of prohibited items and other arena policies.
Prior to and following the ceremony, nursing students will have access to dressing rooms to change in/out of their whites and into their academic regalia for the Commencement ceremony. Staff will be on hand to direct nursing students to these areas, and light refreshments will be provided for graduates.
Guests and pinners are permitted to remain in the arena between Pinning and Commencement. Food and beverages will be available for purchase prior to and during the Nursing Pinning and Commencement ceremonies at a limited number of concessions stands on the concourse.
Further information about the ceremony itself will come from the School of Nursing.
Commencement
Graduate check-in will begin at 8:45 a.m. Graduates, faculty, trustees, and volunteers must enter through the LOADING DOCK, which is located at 720 Linden Street. There is NO parking allowed in the Loading Dock. There will be a security guard posted at the entrance. No guests will be admitted through the Loading Dock.
Doors open for guests at 9:15 a.m. Guests should enter through the Air Products Gate, the WFMZ-69 News Gate, or the NJM Gate. See the PPL Center’s Concourse Map for gate locations. The PPL Center security staff is utilizing metal detectors at every entrance – including the Loading Dock. Anyone entering the arena will have to go through the metal detectors. Please see the PPL Center’s A-Z Guide for a list of prohibited items and other arena policies.
Graduates must come fully dressed in their academic regalia – cap, gown, hood, stole and/or cords (if applicable). There will be no dressing areas provided. Once inside the Loading Dock, graduates will check in at the Registrar’s Office table. Once you are checked in, you will line up by academic program. There will be a limited number of seats in the line-up area for graduates with accessibility needs. Otherwise, you will be standing from the time you check in until the ceremony, so wear comfortable shoes! ALL graduates must be in regalia and lined up NO LATER THAN 9:45 a.m. The procession will begin at 9:45 a.m. SHARP!
Immediately following the ceremony, graduates and guests must exit the arena so the PPL Center staff can begin their cleaning and turnover process. Graduates should make a plan ahead of time to meet their guests outside the arena to take photos and mingle after the ceremony.
Parking
Parking is available in any Allentown Parking Authority garages/lots. Parking is NOT included with guest tickets. Parking options nearest to the entrances are as follows:
CLICK HERE for information and locations of all parking lots/garages.
Accessible seating is available on all levels at the PPL Center. There is a place during the online ticket ordering process to indicate a need for accessible seating.
A sign language interpreter will be provided for the duration of the Commencement ceremony. For the best view of the interpreter, guests should plan to sit in Section 116.
The PPL Center is offering premium seating via rental of their box suites. For more details, and for contact information to request availability and pricing, see the linked flyer.
Graduates will line up by academic program to process onto the arena floor and will be counted into their seats. A demonstration of this will be provided during the virtual Commencement Rehearsal, and members of the Commencement Committee will be on hand at the ceremony to assist.
Graduates receive a diploma cover during the ceremony. All diplomas will be mailed to graduates following Commencement, regardless of participation in the Commencement Exercises, to the address confirmed on the Commencement Attendance Form, or if the graduate does not complete the form, to the current address on file.
The Commencement Ceremony will be livestreamed for anyone not in attendance. No log-in is necessary.
Each graduate who has completed the Commencement Attendance form will be entitled to order unlimited tickets through the PPL Center’s online ticketing system. You will be notified by email once the online ticketing site is open.
You will be asked to enter an email address and password to create an account with the PPL Center. You can use any email address – your Cedar Crest account or a personal email – and whatever password you choose.
A ticket is required for any guest entering the PPL Center for the Nursing Pinning and Commencement ceremonies, except for children under two years of age. Graduates do not require tickets themselves, nor do faculty, staff, or trustees participating in the academic procession and who will be seated on the arena floor or in the stage party.
Although tickets are required for entry, guest seating is unassigned and on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the ceremony. Guests should refrain from saving seats and are asked to respect reserved signs and accessible seating that may be put up by the PPL Center or the College.
Tickets can be printed or shown on a mobile device. Tickets will only scan once, and per the PPL Center’s policies, anyone attempting to use a duplicate ticket will be denied entry to the arena.
Further information about the ticket ordering process will be made available closer to the event date. Graduates will be notified by email, and the webpage will be updated once ticketing is open.
Hooding of graduate students will now take place at the College’s Hooding Ceremony, scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 12. Graduate students are encouraged to attend both the Hooding Ceremony and the Commencement Ceremony. All graduate students are welcome to wear their hoods as part of the academic regalia to the Commencement Ceremony.
Graduates should refrain from bringing personal belongings (purses, cameras, etc.) into the arena. Such belongings should be given to your guests (if permitted) for safekeeping. Cedar Crest College and the PPL Center are not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen items. We also ask that cell phones be turned off or silenced for the duration of each ceremony unless there is an emergency. For more information, view the PPL Center Bag and Purse Policy.
Caps can be decorated; however, please use good judgment and be tasteful. No vulgar, foul, or questionable language or imagery. We look forward to seeing your creative and inspiring designs!
For questions regarding Commencement exercises and the events leading up to Commencement, please contact the Commencement Committee at commencement@cedarcrest.edu or call 610-606-4612.
Honor your graduate’s achievement with beautiful roses! Roses are available in a variety of colors by the dozen, arranged in a bouquet tied with ribbons representing school colors, and include a gift card with your personal message. All proceeds from this sale benefit Crime Victims Council of the Lehigh Valley, a nonprofit United Way agency dedicated to making the world a safer place.
Orders can be made online or submitted by mail with cash, check, or money order accompanied by this order form. The deadline to order is Monday, May 8.
Roses will be available for pick-up at the PPL Center inside the 69 News and Lehigh Valley Health Network Entrances (between sections 112 and 118) from 9 – 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 13.