Commencement Information for Students

Below you will find information on the dates, deadlines and important links you will need as we get closer to June.

Commencement Ceremony

Saturday, June 1 at 9 am eastern (doors open 8 am)
Amica Mutual Pavilion
One Lasalle Square, Providence RI

Graduate Hooding Ceremonies

Friday, May 31 at 12 pm and 2 pm eastern
RISD Auditorium
17 Canal Walk, Providence RI

Important dates and deadlines

Cap and gown information

The deadline to order caps and gowns for Commencement has now passed. If you did not order your cap and gown by April 17, you may still pick up an extra one from the RISD Store beginning May 20. If you have any questions in the meantime, please email risdstore@risd.edu.

For graduate students who missed the order deadline, extra hoods will be available at the Graduate Hooding Ceremony as well as at Commencement.

Special events

illustrator Brian Selznick speaks at Commencement

Graduating Seniors Week

May 28-30

This series of social events brings graduating students together to celebrate one another and the collective success of the Class of 2024. These events also provide opportunities to explore resources available to new alumni. 

students at lantern and artists party

Lantern Lighting and Artists Party

Friday, May 31, 2024
8–11:30 pm

Located under the tent near the Michael Van Leesten Memorial Bridge, our all-campus dance party brings our community together to celebrate this year’s graduating class. The evening kicks off with a lantern lighting and continues over at our Commencement tent where you can dance the night away.

Open to graduating students and one accompanying guest. This event will feature free food and a cash bar. No RSVP required, but guests must be 21+ and show valid ID to enter.

A person in a green hat looks at a rack of wire crafts.
RISD Craft

Saturday, June 1, 2024 
11 am–5 pm

Featuring over 100 RISD artists, makers and designers, RISD Craft is a highlight of Commencement & Reunion Weekend. RISD Craft is held each year on historic Benefit Street located in the center of campus.
 

Crowd of people celebrating in a tent with paper lanterns.

Post-Commencement Reception

Saturday, June 1, 2024
12–1:30 pm

Immediately following the Commencement Ceremony at the Amica Mutual Pavillion, our entire community is invited to celebrate the Class of 2024 at a festive reception back on campus.

Don’t forget

There is a lot to remember as you prepare for graduation. Don’t forget to make plans for your housing and meals, mail forwarding and having a great time with your classmates!

Set your name pronunciation in Workday

You can now use Workday to record the correct pronunciation of your name directly onto your profile. This feature allows fellow community members with Workday access to hear your name as you say it and would like to hear it—including when you walk across the Commencement stage this June.

To learn how to set or change your name pronunciation, click the link below. (For more about listening to name pronunciations in Workday, see this brief user guide.)

See our Workday name pronunciation guide

Undergraduate and graduate student speakers

Each year, two students—one undergraduate and one graduate—deliver speeches at Commencement. If you’re in good academic standing and would like to represent the Class of 2024 at this year’s event, we invite you to apply to address your class.

Applicants will submit in writing a five-minute speech on any subject appropriate for the occasion. If you have something to say but aren't sure how to turn it into a speech, peer tutors at the Center for Arts & Language can help you develop your ideas.

All submissions will be reviewed by a committee. If your submission is selected, you will work with an editor/speaking coach to develop and rehearse a speech to deliver at Commencement. Your speech will also appear on risd.edu and on RISD’s Vimeo channel.

We encourage you to watch for a community notice from Students Life indicating how to apply for this exciting opportunity.

Questions? Contact studentaffairs@risd.edu 

Take RISD with you

See more about graduation and RISD items to take with you beyond commencement.

More in Commencement

Commencement 2024

Fun and relatively informal, our colorful ceremony is a spirited, celebratory salute to our newest art and design standouts.

For families

Find out about nearby transportation, hotels and lodging, and dining options, as well as important info for international families traveling to the US. 

Commencement FAQ

Have questions about Commencement but don’t know where to start? See our FAQ for answers to the questions we hear the most.

Contact us

Have questions about Commencement + Reunion Weekend 2024? Please email us at commencement@risd.edu or call 401 454-6379.