Commencement 2023

Categories: In the News

185th COMMENCEMENT

 

Join us for the Union Theological Seminary Commencement on Friday, May 19, as we celebrate the graduating class of 2023. Families, friends, Union alums, and the wider community are invited to honor their hard work and dedication as our graduates take the next steps toward positively impacting the world. The ceremony will be a moment of gratitude, reflection, and celebration. Please note that some details are still to be determined, so we invite you to visit this webpage regularly for updates.

Click here to watch the livestream


DAY OF SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Chapel Service  James Memorial Chapel  |  9:00 am

Grab & Go Drink and Snack  |  James Memorial Chapel Narthex  |  9:45 am

Class Photo  |  James Memorial Chapel  |  10:05 am

Line-Up  |  Academic Hallway  |  10:30 am

Procession  |  Academic Hallway  |  10:45 am

Ceremony  Manhattan School of Music  |  11:00 am
overflow seating at Union in classroom AD30

Ice-Cream Reception  Quad  |  12:30 pm

Robe Return & Diploma Pick up  |  AD 116  |  1:30 pm to 3:30 pm


Chapel Service
James Memorial Chapel  |  9:00 am ET
3041 Broadway, New York NY 10027

Ceremony
Neidorff-Karpati Hall at Manhattan School of Music  |  11:00 am ET
130 Claremont Avenue, New York, NY 10027
doors open for guests at 10:00 am

Reception
The Quad  |  12:30 pm ET
3041 Broadway, New York NY 10027
(rain location: James Memorial Chapel)

Announcement  |  Commissioning Ceremonies  |  Local Accommodations


Announcements

Robes

All Master of Arts, Master of Divinity, Master of Philosophy, and Master of Sacred Theology graduates are required to rent their robe for commencement. To ensure your robe arrives in time for the ceremony, be sure to place your order by Monday, April 3, which is the final deadline for robe rentals. You can rent your robe here.

Students graduating with either a Doctor of Ministry or Doctor of Philosophy degree, we have robes that you can borrow, but you will need to purchase your own doctoral hood. Graduates may also purchase a doctoral tam or their own robe, if they do not want to borrow ours. You can order all items for your commencement here. Be sure to place your order by Monday, April 3, which is the final deadline for a purchased robe to be delivered to Union before commencement.

Commencement Tickets 

Due to space limitations at the venue, each graduate is able to bring up to five (5) guests to the ceremony. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but we must adhere to this limit for the safety and comfort of all attendees. If you would like to have more than 5 guests, please contact Dean Sandra Montes at [email protected], and we will do our best to accommodate your request. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation and look forward to sharing this memorable day with you and your guests.

Graduation Application

May 2023 graduates: If you haven’t submitted your Graduation Application, please do so before Monday, March 13 at 5:00 PM. You can access the Graduation Application here.


Commissioning Ceremonies

Kairos Center Caucus Commissioning
Friday, May 12 at 2:30-4:30 pm in the Stewart Room; contact Ana

Wayward Wisdom Caucus Commissioning
Monday, May 15 at 5:30 pm in the Bonhoeffer Room; contact Blanche or Karl

AAPI Caucus Commissioning
Tuesday, May 16 at 5:00 pm in James Chapel; contact Shalom

Latinx Caucus Commissioning
Tuesday, May 16 at 7:00 pm in Stewart Room; contact Yarilynne

International Student Caucus Commissioning
Wednesday, May 17 at 4:00 pm on the Fred Davie Terrace; contact Radiance

Black Caucus Commissioning*
Wednesday, May 17 at 6:00 pm in James Chapel
Closed to the Public; contact James Jones

BIE Going Forth Ceremony
Thursday, May 18 at 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm at Fred Davie Terrace
Open to the Public; contact Peace Twesigye

Disability Caucus Commissioning
Thursday, May 18 at 4:00 – 6:00 pm in Room 205 to 207
Closed to the Public; contact Schuyler Rowe

Queer Recognition & Celebration Ceremony
Thursday, May 18 at 6:00 pm in James Chapel; contact Brendan Nee

For students and groups planning Commissioning Ceremonies, please email both [email protected] and [email protected] to confirm the date, time, and location for your event.

*If you are a Black student graduating this May, please fill out this survey by Friday, April 14 so we can celebrate you and ensure you have accurate information. This event functions as both worship service and community specific graduation celebration to honor Black graduates achievements as they complete their degree and go forth in ministry in its various forms to engage with the world beyond the halls of Union Theological Seminary. 


Local Accommodations

Restaurants

Massawa – Amsterdam & 121st Street:
https://www.massawanyc.com/

Bar 314 – Amsterdam & 122nd Street:
https://www.bar314menu.com/

La Salle Dumpling Room – Broadway between La Salle and Tiemann Place

Pisticci – Broadway & La Salle:
http://www.pisticcinyc.com/

Toast Uptown – Broadway between La Salle and Tiemann Place:
http://www.toastnyc.com/

Lodging

The Wallace – W 76th Street between Broadway and West End Ave
https://www.thewallace.com/

Edge Washington Heights – W 168th Street between Audubon and Amsterdam
https://www.edgehotelnyc.com/

HI NYC Hostel – Amsterdam between 103rd and 104th
https://www.hiusa.org/find-hostels/new-york/new-york-891-amsterdam-ave

Columbia University has negotiated rates with numerous preferred hotels in New York City. To learn more about gaining access to access this negotiated rate, visit the Columbia Visitor’s Center Website.

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