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50th Annual Commencement
Thomas Edison State University’s 50th Annual Commencement Ceremony will be held on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022.
Please accept our sincere congratulations on earning your degree!
We are excited to celebrate with you at Thomas Edison State University’s 50th Annual Commencement at 1pm on Saturday, Oct 1, 2022 at the CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton, N.J.
All eligible students graduating in the December 2021, March 2022, and June 2022 graduation cycles should have received communication with details on completing the Attendance Form and ordering regalia. If you did not receive an email and believe you should have, please check your spam and clutter filters and search for "TESU Commencement 2022." If you still cannot find the email, please email commencement@tesu.
Students being certified for the September graduation cycle will receive an email the week following their notification of certification.
Stay tuned to the Commencement website for additional details and information.
Not sure when you should apply for graduation? Learn more about deadlines and Graduation Information.
For additional questions or more information, contact the Office of the Registrar at (609) 984-1180 or email commencement@tesu.edu.
The ceremony will be live streamed on the day of Commencement for any family or friends that are unable to attend the event in person.
When you complete the Commencement Attendance Form, you will be prompted for the number of tickets you would like. All guests, including children and the graduate, will be required to have a ticket for entry.
Ticketing will be electronic this year. Additional information about accessing tickets will be available closer to the date of the ceremony.
Graduates may order regalia by selecting either the option for “attending” or “not attending” on the TESU Products page. The University covers the cost of the cap and gown for those graduates attending the ceremony (shipping not included) and has partnered with Herff Jones to have your regalia shipped directly to you. If attending the ceremony, enter your TESU ID as stated above to log in when ordering your regalia.
If you are attending, you must have completed the Commencement Attendance Form before ordering your regalia. Once you have confirmed your attendance for Commencement, please wait 48 hours before ordering your regalia allowing time for your name and ID to be provided to the vendor. The deadline to order your cap and gown online is Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022.
Associate degree graduates will receive a burgundy gown, burgundy mortarboard cap and tassel with a 2022 charm.
Bachelor degree graduates will receive a black bachelor’s gown, black mortarboard cap and tassel with 2022 charm.
Master degree graduates will receive a black master’s gown, an academic hood with colors that reflect the specific master’s degree they have earned, a black mortarboard cap and tassel with a 2022 charm.
Doctorate degree graduates will receive a black doctoral gown, an academic hood with colors that reflect the specific doctoral degree they have earned, a black doctoral tam (cap) and a gold tassel with a 2022 charm.
You may not wear anything not provided by the University or a TESU recognized honor society on top of your academic regalia.
The doors to the CURE Insurance Arena will open at 11am and the ceremony will begin at 1pm on Oct 1, 2022.
Additional details regarding the schedule of the day will be posted here closer to the date of the ceremony.
- When you arrive, proceed to our Registration Area, located on the main concourse at Gate C (street level). We will ensure that you have all your academic regalia and any earned honor cords and help you robe properly. If you are a member of the military or a veteran, you will also be able to pick up your cord and stole.
- Be sure to allow time to stop by the University Store to shop for clothes or accessories to commemorate your accomplishment!
- Don’t miss your chance to receive your green Philanthropy cord – stop at the Foundation’s Philanthropy cord table, donate $22 or more and receive a cord to wear during the ceremony. To celebrate the University’s 50th Anniversary, a special commemorative cord is also available for anyone who makes a $50 gift.
- Stop by and “Share your Story” at the Graduate Testimonials table before you line up for your class procession.
- When you walk on stage, you will announce your own name into the microphone. Members of the military may add your rank and branch of service. As a courtesy to other graduates and guests and to help ensure the ceremony concludes on time, please refrain from making any additional comments at the microphone.
- Legacy Photographics will be taking photos as you cross the stage and in front of a TESU photo backdrop once you descend the stage. If you wish, you may remove your mask for that photo. Proofs will be emailed to you and you can select and purchase photos at that time.
- The ceremony is expected to last approximately two hours.
Join the TESU Genius Program!
The Office of Alumni Engagement is dedicated to maintaining meaningful lifelong connections with TESU alumni. Throughout the University’s nearly 50 years of serving adult learners, more than 60,000 alumni have been TESU’s biggest advocates. Last year alone, alumni referred 531 applicants to the University.
The TESU Genius Program is a great way to stay connected and support the mission of the University! By attending Commencement, you have already completed the Wizard Step. Post a photo of your graduation celebration using the hashtag #TESUGrad and you will have completed the Illumniator Step. Stop at the Philanthropy Cord table and become a donor and you will complete the Entrepreneur Step. After completing all 5 steps, you will receive a custom TESU Coin!
Learn more about the TESU Genius Program and how to stay connected on the Alumni website.
Photos will be taken at the Commencement Ceremony. Please take a moment to read the Photo Release information below:
As event registrants, you and your guests accept the terms and conditions: I do hereby give Thomas Edison State University, its assigns, licensees and legal representatives, the irrevocable right to use my name (or fictional name), picture, image or photograph in all forms and media, and in all manners for advertising, promotional or educational purposes, trade or any other lawful purposes, and I waive any right to inspect or approve the finished product, including written copy, that may be created in connection therewith. I am of full age. I have read this release and am fully familiar with its contents.
A separate photo release will be obtained for anyone participating at “Share Your Story” before the ceremony.
For additional questions or more information, contact the Office of the Registrar at (609) 984-1180 or commencement@tesu.edu.
Toni M. Terry, BA
"I am 67 years old, soon to be 68, and to be able to say I did this at this day in my life is just gratification for my own self."