Information for Family & Friends

The ceremony will be livestreamed for those who are unable to attend. This video can be found at moravian.edu/2024-livestream.

Class of 2024 students must register to participate in the commencement ceremony on May 4. Graduates will receive an email to their Moravian email address with the link to RSVP. Once registered, graduates will receive a GradPass via email, which they should bring to the commencement ceremony.

Guest seating will be on John Makuvek Field and chairs are provided. Ushers will be available to help with seating starting at 8:30 a.m. ADA seating is available; please see the “Accessibility Needs” section below.

All University parking lots will be open to guests, although some will be designated as handicapped parking only. Campus police will be available to assist with directions and traffic control. Please leave ample time to find parking before Commencement begins.

Shuttle service will be available from Lot X before and after the Commencement ceremony.

A map showing campus parking lots is available online: www.moravian.edu/campusmaps

Moravian University encourages persons with disabilities to participate in all of its programs and activities. If you, or a guest, require special access on campus for the Baccalaureate or Commencement ceremonies, a form will be sent out and included on this webpage closer to the ceremony. The Office of Disability and Accommodations can be reached via phone (610) 861-1401 or email, oda@moravian.edu.

It is strongly recommended that those with mobility issues be dropped off in the vicinity of Makuvek Field. Drop-off and pick-up will on the corner of Monocacy St. and West Laurel St. in the posted area. Guests can then proceed around the HUB to seat themselves on the field.

• Handicapped parking will be available in Lots F, I, and where designated on W. Laurel Street between Monocacy and Gessinger Streets. Campus police will be on site to assist.
• The campus entrance at Main St. & W. Locust St. will be closed to traffic after 8:00 am.
• Accessible restrooms will be available.

Seating Information

Guest seating will be available on the field.  Please be aware that there will be a hill to climb in order to access the restrooms from the field.  There will be dedicated accessible seating on the field for guests with accessibility needs.

Severe Weather 

ADA drop-off and pick-up for the severe weather plan event will be in parking Lot H outside the ARC or Lot F behind Johnston Hall. Please note that Lot H is a pick-up and drop-off location only.

Graduates should arrive by 9:00 a.m. and go to Johnston Hall on commencement morning to line up for the procession. Graduates should bring a printed copy of their GradPass. We also recommend having a back-up picture of your GradPass on your mobile device. 

Leave plenty of time! The procession will begin promptly at 9:40am. Graduates arriving too late to be placed in proper procession order will process at the end of the line and be responsible for making their own way to the stage at the appropriate time.

Guests should seat themselves on John Makuvek Field, avoiding any reserved seating areas. Ushers will be on hand after 8:30am to assist guests.

The ceremony usually lasts about 2½ - 3 hours depending on the number of graduates attending. Students will process onto the field. The ceremony will have speakers, conferral of degrees and a traditional stage crossing by each graduating student.

An official photographer for our commencement ceremony will capture the graduate’s moment on stage. (See "Photographs" section for more information). We ask that guests remain in their seats during commencement, refraining from coming towards the stage at any time during the ceremony.

Once the ceremony is over, the graduates will be led from John Makuvek Field by the Faculty Marshals, the Presidential Party, and the Faculty. We recommend you have a prearranged meeting location with your graduate.

There will be a reception with light refreshments on the Priscilla Payne Hurd Academic Complex (PPHAC) patio or in the event of inclement weather, in the PPHAC Atrium.

The University has arranged for a professional photographer to take pictures of graduates crossing the stage. The student will receive a link to their photos after the ceremony.

In order to be respectful to all graduates, other professional photographers are not permitted.

Live-streaming video of the event will be captioned. Guests watching the video in the provided, on-campus locations or live streaming at home will see the text displayed. A separate text-only website will also be available for use during the event and can be found on this webpage during the ceremony: moravian.edu/commencement-captions.

The Moravian Book Shop will be setting up a mobile store on the Main Street campus during the ceremony. They will be selling much of their graduate and family favorite merchandise so you can get Moravian University gear before heading off campus for your post-graduation celebration. Please note the Book Shop will be able to accept cash and credit cards for payment.

Graduation Announcements are now available for ordering online. 

Bouquets of roses are available for pre-purchase and pick up on campus on commencement morning. There will also be a limited supply of cash-and-carry on commencement day.

All proceeds benefit the Crime Victims Council of the Lehigh Valley, a nonprofit, United Way agency. Orders will be able to be placed online or by printing and mailing an order form. Both options are available here.

Class of 2024 diplomas will be shipped to the address that the graduate provided on the diploma form or the address the Registrar’s Office has on file. Diplomas will be shipped 4-6 weeks after degree conferral/date of completion (end of semester). Graduates will receive an email about downloading a Certified Electronic Diploma which will also become available around 4-6 weeks after degree conferral/date of completion. The student’s account must be clear of all HOLDS to receive a diploma. Questions regarding diplomas can be sent to registrar@moravian.edu.

A professional videographer will record the entire Commencement ceremony and it will be available to view and download free of charge approximately one month after the ceremony

Commencement will be held on campus on Saturday, May 4 regardless of the weather. 

In the event of severe weather, the commencement ceremony will be held in the Athletic Recreation Center (ARC) in the Breidegam Fieldhouse, which is next to John Makuvek field.

If Moravian’s ceremony is indoors additional information will be posted here once that determination has been made.

ADA drop-off and pick-up for the severe weather plan event will be in parking Lot H outside the ARC or Lot F behind Johnston Hall. Please note that Lot H is a pick-up and drop-off location only.

A Moravian legacy is a sibling, parent, or grandparent of a Moravian University graduate. Following the ceremony, join us for a Reception to honor the Legacy Graduates. This reception will be located in the Johnston Hall Classroom. At the reception, we will photograph the graduate and their Moravian alumni family member/s. As a graduation memento, graduates will receive a digital copy of the picture, and the images will be printed in the summer edition of the Moravian Magazine.

Have questions? Please contact the Office of Alumni & Family Engagement at alumni@moravian.edu or (610) 861-1366.

The following regulations are relevant for those who want to bring service animals to campus: 

• Service animals are permitted to accompany people with disabilities in all areas where members of the public are allowed to go. A service animal must be under the control of its handler. Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless the individual’s disability prevents using these devices or these devices interfere with the service animal's safe, effective performance of tasks. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls.
• Approved emotional support animals are only permitted to be in a student's residence. Therefore, emotional support animals are not to be part of the graduation ceremony.

A yearbook can be purchased for $80 in one of the following ways:

• Online at www.balfour.com
• By mail: Fill out the form sent to your home address
• By phone: Call 1-800-944-5930

For questions about the Yearbook, please contact the yearbook team at benigna@moravian.edu.

Class of 2024 Baby Ad Information

The Senior Tribute Section of the Yearbook is designed specifically for seniors and their loved ones. This section includes photos of graduates alongside a dedication/farewell from their loved ones. Do not miss the opportunity to cherish this moment forever. More information will be available soon.

Senior Portrait Information

The senior portrait schedule can be found on the Benigna's page of the website. Seniors receive all the information they need to sign up for their session through email. The dates for the first round of senior portraits are listed below.

• Wednesday, November 1st: 10:00am - 3:30pm
• Thursday, November 2nd: 12:00pm - 7:30pm
• Friday, November 3rd: 12:00pm - 7:30pm

The attire for portrait sessions is business casual. Cap & gown will be provided.

If you have any questions regarding your session, rescheduling or proofs, please contact the portrait company's customer service line at 800-505-9496.

Class 2024 Senior Send-off Activities & Reservations
Office of Alumni & Parent Engagement
610-861-1366

Parking & Emergencies
Campus Police
610-861-1421

Gowns, Announcements & Gifts
Bookstore
610-866-5481

Diplomas
Office of the Registrar
610-861-1350

Accessibility Services
Office of Disability and Accommodations
610-861-1401

Ceremony Content
Office of the Provost
610-861-1348

General Questions
Office of Conference and Event Management
610-861-1418

NOTE: Commencement information sent to Moravian students is based on a computer list of potential graduates. If in doubt about their graduation status, students should verify their qualifications for graduation with their advisor and the Registrar.