52nd Annual Commencement

Friday, July 14, 2023

MVP Arena, Albany NY. Ceremony begins at 2PM

Congratulations to the Class of 2023!

Walking across the stage at Commencement is a rewarding way to celebrate your hard work. Please join us for the first Excelsior University Commencement in Albany, New York on Friday, July 14, 2023 at the MVP Arena. Registration and regalia are required for the in-person ceremony.

This webpage is our Commencement hub. Check back for additional information especially as the event gets closer.
Command Sgt. Maj. Gretchen Evans
This year, the inspirational Command Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Gretchen Evans, an author and athlete, will be our Commencement speaker. Evans is the 2022 recipient of the Pat Tillman Award for Service awarded at the ESPN ESPY Awards and a 2021 inductee of the U.S. Army Women’s Foundation Hall of Fame.
 
For more information on Command Sgt. Maj. Gretchen Evans, watch her powerful ESPY acceptance speech and her remarkable story of recovery.

Read more below for our event attendance details. Visit our FAQ page for more answers to your most common Commencement questions.

The Class of 2023 is invited to Commencement on Friday, July 14, 2023. Excelsior’s graduating class includes students with degrees conferred from July, 2022 through June, 2023. If your degree will not be conferred until after June, you may request to march before degree conferral and, if you meet specific criteria, you will be approved to register to participate in the ceremony. Please contact your advisor if you have any questions or to make this request before June 1, 2023. 

Please note:

Refer to the graduate processing parameters for specific details regarding conferral dates.

You may also check your graduation status when you log in to MyExcelsior.

If you are taking your last course during the Spring 15-week or Spring II terms, your degree will be conferred on July 21, 2023, and you must contact your advisor before June 1, 2023, to request to march before conferral.

Friday, July 14, 2023
 

MVP Arena
located at:
51 South Pearl Street
Albany, NY 12207

Graduate Check-in begins at Noon
Ceremony at 2:00 p.m.

Graduate instructions will be added here and emailed to registered graduates prior to the event.

Register Online
Tickets

Tickets are not limited or required to attend the ceremony. Graduates are encouraged to invite family and friends to enjoy the celebration.

The ceremony will be livestreamed with engagement opportunities for graduates who are watching and celebrating from a distance. Details to come.

Regalia is required to participate in the Commencement ceremony. Please use the link below to purchase your specific regalia package from Oak Hall.
 
Regalia will be shipped directly to graduates and must be brought to the ceremony to participate. The deadline to place your order is Friday, June 16, 2023.
Order Regalia

Commencement takes place in downtown Albany, New York at the MVP Arena. The Arena website has complete information including directions and parking.
 
Visit Discover Albany or download their app for all kinds of travel and tourism information. Hotels and restaurants in the Downtown sections of their website are closest to the MVP Arena – some are within walking distance, but not all.
 
Make your trip even more memorable and plan to explore the historic sites and attractions the Capital Region of New York State has to offer. For statewide tourism information, visit the I Love NY website or download their app.
The MVP Arena is accessible and equipped with platform seating areas for guests with mobility issues. Unless you have prearranged seating, these areas are available first-come, first-served and will accommodate two guests with open seating close by. Staff will be available for questions at the entrances on the Concourse level.
 
View MVP Arena accessibility information here: https://www.mvparena.com/plan-your-visit/accessibility
 

A sign-language interpreter will be at the ceremony for those with hearing impairments. If you or any of your guests require auxiliary aids or services, contact acs@excelsior.edu or 844-427-4356 by June 28, 2023.

If you have questions related to your degree conferral date and your academic eligibility to participate in the event, please contact your advisor.
If you have questions related to the event, email commencement@excelsior.edu or call 518-608-8181.

 

Graduate Awards

Two Excelsior University studenst at commencement

  • Student Support Award
    This award honors a special person or group of people whose valuable assistance and encouragement significantly contributed in helping a graduate earn a degree. Complete your nomination by: Wednesday, April 12, 2023

  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award
    This award recognizes the achievements of a student who has consistently modeled a core Excelsior University value: respecting the uniqueness of each individual; celebrating and learning from differences; ensuring that all voices are heard, particularly those who have been historically underrepresented; and leading efforts that enhance inclusion, equity and justice in their classroom, organization, or community.
    Apply by: Wednesday, April 12, 2023

    •    

Be the Class of 2023 Graduate Speaker!

Excelsior University Commencement at the MVP Arena

Represent your class at Commencement and consider nominating yourself as graduate speaker. Submit a brief statement incorporating what you value most about your Excelsior experience and a general overview of your proposed speech topic. Please include any previous public speaking experience.

Email your statement to commencement@excelsior.edu by Friday, May 19, 2023.

Celebrate on Social

Excelsior University student at commencement

Download digital swag and share your success on social media with the #excelsiorproud. Like and follow Excelsior University on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook. Download grad graphics for:

Excelsior Merchandise

Excelsior University student at commencement

Professional Graduate Photographs

Excelsior University student at commencement

  • Island Photography will take professional photos as graduates cross the stage during the ceremony. If you are attending Commencement, click here to register your contact information. Color proofs and ordering information will be sent after the ceremony with no obligation to purchase. Graduates will also be asked to register their information using a QR code the day of the ceremony.
  • If you have any questions please visit Island Photography’s website or contact their customer service team via email at custserv@islandphoto.com or phone at 800-869-0908.

Graduate Slideshow

Graduate slideshow

  • Upload your celebratory photos to be included in a special slideshow on Commencement day.
    The deadline to submit your photos is Friday, June, 23.
     
    Submit Your Photos Here

Celebrating Our Graduates

See all of the Excelsior University graduates from March 2023.

Nursing | Health Sciences | Technology | Business | Public Service | Liberal Arts

Congratulations
Excelsior University Graduates

Nursing

Health Sciences

Technology

Business

Public Service

Liberal Arts

Restart

Excelsior University Class of 2020 #Excelsior Proud

Excelsior students have places to go, people to see and lives to change, that’s why we grant degrees throughout the year. View the lists of each month’s graduates.

Welcome to the Alumni Association

Excelsior University student at commencement

Every graduate belongs to the Excelsior University Alumni Association — no application, no dues required!

The Alumni Association, now more than 190,000 strong, encourages alumni to stay connected, share their successes, and serve as advocates for Excelsior, its programs, and future generations of students and graduates.

Visit our Alumni Association pages to learn about the many ways to stay engaged and join our community on Excelsior Connects.

See the Excitement at Commencement 2022!

 

Full Commencement ceremonies are available in our Commencement archive.

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