Graduation Week

Commencement 2024 will be held May 18, 2024.

Congratulations, Class of 2024! Your moment has arrived! On behalf of the Student Activities Office we could not be happier for you and your accomplishments during your time here at Daemen. 

Before going any further... 

Make sure you:

  1. Have submitted an application for degree with the Registrar's Office.
  2. Have indicated if you are (or are not) participating in the Graduation Ceremony.
  3. Have purchased your cap & gown through the bookstore. Use this link to purchase yours online. 

If you need to do one or all of the following, please head over to daemen.edu/graduationinfo and complete those tasks before going any further here!

2024 Pre-Graduation Week Celebrations

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

  • 6:00pm-9:00pm     
    • ALHANA Graduation Ceremony (John R. Yurtchuk Student Center Social Room). The ALHANA (African, Latinx, Hispanic, Asian, Native American) Graduation Ceremony is a time to celebrate the achievements of Daemen University's racially and ethnically diverse graduates. By recognizing the unique obstacles these often marginalized students face, we honor the perseverance and commitment taken to succeed as college graduates. Graduates from any semester during 2024 (January, May, or August) may participate in this ceremony. To register, please complete this form. Registration closes on April 19th. Any questions may be sent to diversity@daemen.edu.

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

  • 5:00pm-7:00pm     
    • LavGrad (John R. Yurtchuk Student Center Social Room). Lavender Graduation is a historic tradition held at colleges and universities across the US to recognize and congratulate LGBTQ+ graduates for their persistence and contribution to their campus communities. This is a special opportunity for our LGBTQ+ students and their allies. Graduates from any semester during 2024 (January, May, or August) may participate in this ceremony. To register, please complete this form. Registration closes on April 26th. Any questions may be sent to diversity@daemen.edu.

2024 Graduation Week Schedule of Events

Student Activities works with a number of offices and departments to create a memorable experience for our graduating students. Please know that the events planned during Graduation Week are open to ALL graduating students; undergrad and graduate students included.

Check back often for updates! Please direct any questions about graduation week to Student Activities at student_activities@daemen.edu.

Sunday, May 12, 2024

  • 3:00pm-6:00pm     

Monday, May 13, 2024

  • 11:00am-1:30pm     
    • Graduation Week Brunch (John R. Yurtchuk Student Center, Dining Room) Join the Graduation Week Committee for a special brunch celebration featuring live musical entertainment. The menu will include stuffed french toast, a mimosa bar, and much more. Tickets for this event are $8.00.
  • 7:00pm-9:00pm     
    • Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society Inductions (John R. Yurtchuk Student Center, Alumni Lounge) Email Carol Renner at crenner@daemen.edu for more details.

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

  • 2:30pm-4:00pm     
  • 10:00pm-1:00AM       
    • Late Night Takeover: Grand Island Fun Center. All the hard work of studying is over.  So come and have some fun with unlimited batting cages, mini golf, go-karts, and laser tag!  Food and fountain drinks included, and transportation provided. Undergrad and grad students can sign up for this event!. Tickets for this event are $15.00.

Wednesday, May 15, 2024

  • 11:15am-1:00pm
    • Athletics Senior Luncheon (John R. Yurtchuk Student Center, Alumni Lounge) For more information email Ian James at ijames@daemen.edu.
  • 4:00pm-5:00pm         
    • Trustee Scholar Graduate Reception (Rosary Hall). Email Yolanda Morris at ymorris@daemen.edu for more details.
  • 5:00pm-6:30pm     
    • Giant Prize Bingo with Food & Drinks (John R. Yurtchuk Student Center, Wildcat Den). Come down to the Social Room for your chance to win some amazing prizes and sample local foods. Alcoholic Beverages will be available for those who are 21 years of age or older. This event is free for all graduating Daemen students. Sign up today!
  • 6:30pm-8:00pm     
    • Spring into the Alumni Association Mixer  (John R. Yurtchuk Student Center, Alumni Lounge). Congratulations! You are now a part of a 22,000 strong network of alumni around the world! The Office of Alumni Relations would like to congratulate graduating students and welcome them to the Daemen Alumni community as they meet the alumni relations staff and mingle with current Daemen alumni. Enjoy a beer and wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres, and alumni swag!  Email Emily Hockwater at ehockwat@daemen.edu for more details.

Thursday, May 16, 2024

  • 10:00am-2:00pm     
  • 11:00am-1:00pm     
    • Campus-Wide Picnic (John R. Yurtchuk Student, Center Back Lawn) We're serving up a picnic lunch to the campus community before graduation! Enjoy one final Yurtchuk Dining meal before walking the stage with your friends, faculty, and staff here at Daemen. Vegetarian and Vegan options will be available. Bring your appetite! This event is free for the Daemen community to join.
  • 4:00pm-6:30pm       
    • Physical Therapy Graduation Reception (John R. Yurtchuk Student Center, Alumni Lounge) 
      For more information contact  Melissa Wilkerson at mwilkers@daemen.edu.
  • 6:00pm-9:00pm                 
    • Graduation Social at Buffalo RiverWorks. Join us for a final celebration of YOU! Ticket price includes transportation, full buffet dinner  (vegan and vegetarian options), music, and three drink tickets. All attendees are required to take Daemen provided transportation to and from the venue. Tickets for this event are $20.00.

Friday, May 17, 2024

  • 11:00am                         
    • Undergraduate Student Graduation Rehearsal (John R. Yurtchuk Student Center, Social Room). All graduating UNDERGRADUATE students MUST attend.
  • 12:00pm     
    • Graduate Student Graduation Rehearsal (John R. Yurtchuk Student Center, Social Room). Graduating graduate students should attend, IF you have any concerns about the pronunciation of your name, or if you have any questions about your diploma, and/or academic related inquiries. 
  • 7:30pm                   
    • Annual Excellence Awards (John R. Yurtchuk Student Center, Social Room). Graduating students, their families, and members of the University community are invited. Daemen University’s Annual Excellence Awards Ceremony is an event that celebrates achievement, aspiration, and the completion of undergraduate and graduate careers. We take this time to celebrate academic traditions, to honor achievement, and to congratulate our students who represent excellence in each department. 
  • 9:00pm-11:00pm
    • Annual Graduation Celebration (John R. Yurtchuk Student Center, Dining Room). Time to celebrate all of our graduates at this fun and festive event. This dress-up affair is always a highlight of Graduation Week. Live music, hors' d oeuvres, desserts, and light beverages will be provided. This is a free event for all graduating students, their families, and members of the University community.

Saturday, May 18, 2024