School of Nursing and Allied Health Ceremony Details

Graduates must arrive no later than 5:30 p.m. at the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square/Lancaster County Convention Center. The downtown area gets quite congested during rush hour, and with this size event – be sure to allow plenty of time to find parking and enter the venue. Graduates are to wear their cap and gown to the Commencement Ceremony. Please press/steam your gown once you remove it from the packaging.

Upon arriving at the Marriott, graduates will be directed where to go and gather by volunteers before the ceremony (and line up for the processional). During this time, you will check in at the registrar table, and pick up your Graduate Name Card when entering. There will be lines organized by last name to pick up your card. You cannot edit these cards as we take your first and last name and the pronunciation that was supplied in Tassel. It is important that you keep this card on you and do not lose or damage it. This is what you will use to cross the stage. You cannot cross the stage without this card. There will not be a secure area at this gathering point to leave personal belongings (e.g., purses, coats, bags, etc.). Please leave these items with one of your guests before the ceremony.

Faculty marshals for the school will lead the procession to the graduate seating area, beginning at approximately 6 p.m. Graduates should process in with their hoods draped over their left arms.

Please visit the Guest section for information on guest arrival and additional information. 

At the appointed time in the program, the Dean will present the degree candidates from the school to the President, who will officially confer degrees on the candidates. Following this conferral, the Dean will instruct the graduates to "don their hoods." This is the time for graduates to put on the hood they have carried with them.

Upon direction from the faculty marshals and staff ushers, graduates will approach the stage for the presentation of degrees. Graduates must have their Graduate Name Card with them at this time. Each name will be read individually. Students should proceed quickly to the stage, shake hands with the President as a photo is taken, receive the diploma tube and pin, exit at the opposite end of the stage, and then take a second photo before returning back to their seats.

Following the benediction, the stage party and faculty will lead the academic procession to conclude the ceremony. Graduates and guests are asked to remain seated until the stage party has fully excited, which will signal the conclusion of the commencement ceremony.

All guests attending the ceremony are required to present a ticket for entry. Tickets can be given as a printed copy or presented on a mobile device. Be sure you have shared your graduation tickets with your family before the event. Small children (4 and under), who will be sitting on an adult's lap, do not require a ticket.

Please note that doors close at 6:55 p.m. and all guests must be seated. Any guests arriving after 6:55 p.m. will be asked to wait in the concourse until the processional is complete and graduates are seated. 

We prohibit bringing in any, but not limited to, of the following items:

• Noisemakers
• Laser pointers
• Blow horns
• Balloons
• Large signs
• Any other distracting noise-making device that could interfere with the integrity of the event.

Additionally, large bags should not be brought into the venue (unless it is a diaper bag or needed for a medical reason). Coolers, glass beverage containers, weapons of any kind, large signs that could block the view of others, etc., should be left in the guests' car.

Those who try to bring these items in will be asked to return them to their car. Graduates have all worked hard to achieve this accomplishment, and we want to make sure that every student's guests are able to see their graduate walk across the stage and hear their name as it is called.

Lastly, we ask that guests and graduates refrain from standing on chairs or rushing the stage area to try to get a picture; we have hired professional photographers for that purpose. 

For a complete list of garages and lots in the area, please visit the Lancaster Parking Authority website. The closest parking garage to the event location is Penn Square Garage (25-51 East Vine Street), Steinman Park Garage (35 S Prince Street), Mifflin Street Lot (146 East Mifflin Street), E. King Street Garage (150 East King Street), or Prince Street Garage (111 N. Prince Street). On-street parking is also available and is monitored by the Lancaster Parking Authority. For more information, visit their website here, which lists rates, operating hours, and acceptable payments. Please note that parking in Lancaster City does fill up quickly, so make sure to allow yourself enough time to find a place to park.

Lancaster offers a number of lodging options for guests new to the area to choose from.

Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square
25 South Queen Street 
Lancaster, PA 17603 
717-239-1600

Holiday Inn Lancaster
26 E Chestnut St. 
Lancaster, PA 17602 
717-394-0900

Hampton Inn Lancaster
545 Greenfield Rd 
Lancaster, PA 17601 
717-299-1200

Comfort Suites Manheim - Lancaster
543 Champ Blvd
Manheim, PA 17545
717-898-2926

Tru by Hilton Lancaster East
2320 Lincoln Highway East 
Lancaster, PA 17601
717-399-3100

If you have specific questions about accommodations, please contact the hotel you are interested in directly.

Seating will be available for those guests requiring special accommodations. If you or your guests are in need of handicapped seating, please fill out this form.