Convocation
Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy Convocation
Thursday, May 22, 2025
This year, tickets will be required for guests. Please check back for details.
Convocation livestream
go.rutgers.edu/fzkx4p77
Student Information
Procession Line-up: (Students should arrive by 9:00am for processing)
Location: Jersey Mikes Arena – 83 Rockafeller Road, Piscataway, NJ (Livingston Campus)
Keynote Speaker: Jill Desimone
Valedictorian: TBD
Class Speaker: Sinduja Sivakumar
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is graduation?
There are two ceremonies which you may attend. The first is University-wide Commencement on May 18, 2025 @ 10:00am in the SHI Stadium. More information can be found at https://commencement.rutgers.edu/
The other ceremony is the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy Convocation. This will take place Thursday, May 22, 2025, 0:00AM at Jersey Mikes Arena. Students need to be at JMA for instructions and line up 9:00am. At this, ceremony all graduates will march and will be called to the stage by name to be hooded and receive their diploma. A professional photographer will be on stage and will take your picture as the Dean hands you your diploma.
Where does my family and I park?
Driving directions: Jersey Mike’s Arena is at 83 Rockafeller Road in Piscataway, NJ, on the Rutgers-New Brunswick Livingston Campus. Use our link for directions.
Parking: No special parking tags are needed to park at EMSOP’s ceremony. Follow directions to Jersey Mike’s Arena, there will be signs and attendants will direct you to park.
Do I need tickets for the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy Convocation?
Yes – Electronic tickets will be distributed by Jersey Mike’s Arena ticket office to graduates on May 19th. Graduates will transfer tickets to their guests by cell phone.
What do I wear and where do I get it?
All candidates are required to wear appropriate academic regalia. Hoods for doctoral candidates will be carried over the right arm. The tassel of the cap is worn on the right side by one who does not yet hold his or her first degree, and on the left if a degree is already held.
Candidates should arrange for purchase of academic regalia through the Barnes & Noble at Rutgers University Bookstore. Barnes and Noble will be hosting a Grad Fair (dates and times TBA). The order form will be available on the bookstore website listed below (be sure to see the question below regarding hood color):
Barnes & Noble College Booksellers
rutgers.bncollege.com
What color should my hood be?
The hood of your academic regalia should be olive green for pharmacy. When completing the order form from the bookstore, in the field labeled “Degree and Field” we recommend listing “Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D. – hood color olive green)” to prevent confusion with the Ph.D. regalia which has a blue hood.
What about cords?
Students graduating with Highest Honors, High Honors, or Honors may choose to wear a gold cord with their regalia. Students who will graduate with a cumulative GPA of 3.160 or above are encouraged to purchase cords early. Honors cords are available at the Barnes & Noble bookstore on a first-come, first-serve basis, but you need to ask for the doctorate honors cord, Members of Rho Chi Honor Society may wear a purple cord; members of PHi Lamda Sigma may wear a green cord. Rho Chi Honor Society members received their cords from the organization when they were inducted. If misplaced, contact Cindy Olexsa or Geri Urbanski. Phi Lambda Sigma members should contact the PLS president.
Link — https://careers.rutgers.edu/gradsurvey
Contact careers@echo.rutgers.edu with questions
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