On Saturday, May 9, the University will hold a virtual commencement at 2pm. The ceremony will be livestreamed at https://spring2020.commencement.psu.edu/.

Additional information can be found at https://news.psu.edu/story/615812/2020/04/16/academics/additional-details-announced-virtual-commencement-class-2020

Penn State New Kensington will hold virtual meetings for students prior to the University commencement. The meetings will begin at 1pm on May 9 when students will join a Zoom room for their major and interact with fellow students. All students, faculty, and staff will come together afterward in one common Zoom room as we send off the graduates to their 2pm commencement. All information has been emailed to the graduates. 

GOWN ORDER: Go to: https://psu.bncollege.com/shop/psu/page/find-textbooks

  • Choose Penn State New Kensington as your campus
  • Term: Summer 2020
  • Department: Graduation
  • Course: Regalia
  • Section: 001
  • Click: Find materials for 1 course(s)

Please contact Academic Affairs if you have any questions. We can be reached at 724-334-6030 or [email protected].

Information for Candidates for Graduation

Commencement ceremonies, which are held every fall and spring, are public recognition of our students' accomplishments.  Since the inaugural class of 1960, more than 5,200 alumni have attended Penn State New Kensington and earned a Penn State degree.

  • Declare Your Intent to Graduate It is your responsibility to notify the University of your intent to graduate. You must declare your intent to graduate by using the "Graduating This Semester" application on LionPATH. Applying to graduate for Spring 2020 expires on Monday, January 27, 2020. If you miss the activation deadline for your intended semester of graduation, you must contact the Registrar's Office.

  • Meet With Your Adviser Use LionPATH to request a current degree audit and review it with your academic adviser. You should meet with your adviser each semester. This will ensure that you are on track to meet all degree requirements. If you are missing courses, credits, or grade requirements, you will not be able to graduate. You cannot graduate with missing or deferred grades.

  • Commencement Rehearsal Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Spring 2020 commencement ceremony will be held virtually. https://spring2020.commencement.psu.edu/

  • Academic Attire In observance of tradition, all participants in the Commencement Ceremony will wear full academic regalia, consisting of a traditional gown and mortarboard (cap) with tassel.  Caps and gowns must be ordered from the Penn State New Kensington Bookstore.  Contact the Bookstore at 724-334-6170.

  • Properly Wearing Academic Regalia Candidates for the baccalaureate and associate degrees should wear the tassel of the cap on the right front edge until you are signaled at the ceremony to shift it to the left when the degrees are conferred. Business or business casual attire is recommended.

  • Rings and Announcement Cards Print ready Penn State graduation announcements, invitations and thank-you cards are available online at: www.overlypub.com/.  Class rings and jewelry can be ordered through the bookstore and are also available for purchase on the Jostens website at: http://college.jostens.com/. The bookstore will be open special hours for your graduation needs, gifts, or just to browse. For additional information, you may contact the bookstore at: 724-334-6170

  • Diplomas Each semester, before students can schedule, they are asked to verify their contact information as a part of their To Do list in the student center portion of LionPath.  It is very important to verify that all information is correct since the student will be receiving important graduation information as well as official University correspondence, including their diploma, will go to the address we have on file.  Diplomas are mailed to the student's address approximately 4-6 weeks after the ceremony. 

  • Distinctions Required GPA for Graduation with Distinction

  • Honors Ornamentation Graduating students may wear only provided ornamentation to commencement. Ornamentation representing honorary societies or nationalities is not approved attire for Penn State academic ceremonies.  Students graduating with distinction, high distinction, highest distinction and approved veterans will be provided University approved cords. 

  • The Procession Graduates in their caps and gowns will assemble in advance.  The procession will be led by the Faculty Marshal, the Chancellor, the Director of Academic Affairs, visiting dignitaries, faculty and staff, and then the graduates.

  • Commencement Speaker

  • Guest Information Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Spring 2020 commencement ceremony will be held virtually. https://spring2020.commencement.psu.edu/

    • Future ceremonies: Friends and family of the graduates are very welcome at the Commencement Ceremony.  Each graduate is encouraged to invite their family and friends to participate in their special day.  Floor seating will be available for our guests with special needs. Handicapped parking spaces are designated in the front row of our Athletics Center parking lot for Spring graduations, and in the front near the main entrance for Fall ceremonies. Please contact the Academic Affairs office if you and/or your guest(s) require specific accommodations, (724) 334-6032. Free parking is available at Penn State New Kensington.

  • Penn State New Kensington Alumni Society A student's connection with Penn State does not end at graduation.  Join over 150,000 Penn State supporters by becoming a member of the largest alumni association in the country, and keep that Blue and White spirit alive! 

    The local alumni organization based on our campus is the Penn State New Kensington Alumni Society. The society represents more than 7,000 Penn Staters living the Alle-Kiski valley.

    For more information on the Penn State Alumni Association, visit:  http://www.alumni.psu.edu/.