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Commencement 2024

We are thrilled to celebrate the Class of 2024 with a commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 18 at 10AM at the PPL Center in Allentown.

Need to Know Info

Student Commencement Countdown

  • Step 1 — Apply for Graduation

    Your application for graduation must be completed by April 1, 2024, even if you do not plan to walk in the ceremony. This is the process that results in completion of your transcript and the conferring of your degree.

    1. By March 18: Order your cap and gown from Oak Hall.
      Deadline extension: cap and gown ordering has been extended to April 18, for SHIP-TO-HOME orders only. Any caps and gowns ordered after April 18 will not be guaranteed receipt by May 18. 
    2. By April 1: Complete application for graduation on WebAdvisor/SelfService. 

    If shipping to yourself off-campus, please use your current home address.

    Let us know your intentions on attending graduation

  • Step 2 — Commencement Clearances

    To be cleared to graduate, you must satisfy all obligations to the University. The following must be completed by 12:00 p.m. on Monday, May 3, 2024:
    • Business Office 
      Second floor - Dooling Hall
      Payment of any outstanding balances.
    • Financial Aid Office
      First floor - Dooling Hall
      Where appropriate, completion of exit interview.
    • Registrar's Office
      First floor - Dooling Hall
      For your degree to be officially conferred, your program evaluation on MYDSU/Academic Planning must indicate all graduation requirements have been completed.
    • Library
      Return of all books and payment of any outstanding fines.
    • Career Development Center
      Graduates will receive an email from the Melanie Vallone, Director of the Career Development Center, with a personalized form to complete their First Destination Survey. Survey must be completed as part of graduation requirements.

  • 🤩 Step 3 — #DeSalesU2024: Social Media Filters & GIFs

    Celebrate #DeSalesU2024 on social media with filters and stickers created just for the occasion!

    Instagram

    • Open Instagram and create a story by tapping the + icon on your profile photo in the top left corner
    • Take a new or choose an existing video/photo
    • Tap GIF/sticker icon
    • Search “DeSales”
    • Add the GIF of your choice
    • Post to your IG story!

    OR

    • Create a reel by tapping the reel icon (bottom middle of screen in IG)
    • Tap sparkles above video icon
    • Tap magnifying glass to search for DeSales
    • Preview bulldog ears filter, then swipe down to record using filter
    • Post to your feed/reels!

    TikTok

    • Open TikTok and tap the + icon at the bottom middle of the screen to create a new TikTok
    • Upload existing or create new video
    • Tap gif/stickers icon
    • Search “DeSales”
    • Add the GIF of your choice
    • Post to your TikTok feed!

    Facebook

    • Open Facebook and create a new status
    • Tap the green add photo icon
    • Take a new or choose an existing video/photo
    • Tap photo/video to edit
    • Tap gif/stickers icon
    • Tap gifs
    • Search “DeSales”
    • Add the gif of your choice
    • Finish by tapping “post” to post to your Facebook feed!

  • Step 4 — Celebrate at Baccalaureate, Dinner Dance, & Commencement

    • Baccalaureate
      Friday, May 17, 2024 at 5PM 
      DeSales Campus 
      Please RSVP by Friday, May 3
      RSVP to Baccalaureate
    • Dinner Dance
      Friday, May 17, 2024
      DeSales Campus: DeSales University Center
       RSVP to the Dinner Dance
      Please join us in the DUC immediately following Baccalaureate Mass to celebrate the Class of 2024. The evening will begin with cocktails followed by a buffet dinner. Cocktail attire is recommended. Entertainment will be provided with a live DJ and photo booth for all graduates and guests to enjoy. Graduates may attend at no cost using the promo code "graduate". Tickets for guests are $30.
      Contact Dan Villanti, Director of Alumni Relations, with any questions at daniel.villanti@desales.edu
    • Commencement Ceremony
      Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 10AM
      PPL Center 701 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101
      • For a complete list of venue policies and information, please visit the PPL Center website

    Note: Academic attire is required for Baccalaureate and Commencement

    Photography and Drones

    Photography at Baccalaureate, Dinner Dance and Commencement is welcomed in designated areas. Unofficial drones are strictly forbidden on campus and in the PPL Center.

  • Step 5 — Receive your official diploma!

    Diplomas will be mailed to the address provided by students on their application for graduation application approximately six weeks after the ceremony.

  • Honor Cords Policy and Commencement Honors Policy

    It is University policy that honor cords are only for students who have been inducted into honor societies. Cords associated with honor societies are given out at honor society inductions; therefore, students are not to purchase any separate cords. Latin honors (summa cum laude/magna cum laude/cum laude) are not designated by any cords; however, they are noted in the Commencement program. 

    Students should not purchase or wear any Commencement stoles as they are not permitted to be worn as part of the regalia at the ceremony.

    Commencement Honors Policy

    DeSales University awards commencement honors for outstanding academic achievement as follows:

    Effective with the Class of 2023, in order to qualify for honors, the student must have completed at least half of their degree in graded courses at DeSales University.

    • Cum laude: for a cumulative GPA of 3.5 to 3.649
    • Magna cum laude: for a cumulative GPA of 3.65 to 3.79
    • Summa cum laude: for a cumulative GPA of 3.8 to 4.0

  • Senior Class Gift

    Honor your graduation while helping to support, transform, and strengthen the DeSales experience for current and future students. Making your class gift begins your lifelong connection to the DeSales Alumni community. This act of giving back and continuing the legacy of donors who supported your journey at DeSales University is a time-honored tradition since 1965. The Office of Institutional Advancement would like to honor your gift with a special thank you – a Class of 2024 donor pin for you to wear at commencement.

    Make Your Senior Class Gift Today

Guests’ Guide to Commencement

"The beginning of good things is good; the progress, better; the end, best."

- St. Francis de Sales (T II 19)

Contact Us

Commencement Information
610-282-1100 x1261