A young woman in a Kean cap and gown holds her diploma cover and smiles. She wears a stole reading, First Generation.

University Commencement

2024 Commencement

Kean University is excited to celebrate the Class of 2024! This year’s Graduate Commencement will take place on Tuesday, May 14, at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. Undergraduate Commencement will take place on Thursday, May 16, at the Prudential Center in Newark.

More information regarding the time of commencement and how to reserve tickets will be available soon.

Three young men in blue caps and gowns celebrate at Kean's 2023 commencement.

Important Dates

Below is a list of upcoming events for Kean Graduates, more details will be provided soon.

Grad Fair:

Kean Ocean: Wednesday, May 1, Gateway Building Atrium, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Kean Union: Thursday, May 2, Downs Hall, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Graduates, you must attend the Grad Fair to pick up your free Kean University stole and receive your reader card for graduation.

Cap and Gown

All graduates who will participate in the commencement ceremony are required to wear the Kean University regalia cap and gown attire.

Online ordering for graduation regalia has now closed:
IF YOU STILL NEED TO ORDER YOUR CAP AND GOWN, FILL OUT THIS FORM and email it to sm732@bncollege.com.

Deadline Date for Doctoral Graduates:

Orders Closed: The deadline to order was Friday, March 8, all orders by the deadline will ship-to-home

Deadline Dates for Master & Bachelor Graduates:

Orders Closed: The deadline to order was Monday, April 15, all orders by the deadline will ship-to-home

Note: All graduates must attend the Grad Fair (May 2024) to pick up your free Kean University stole and receive your reader card for graduation, the items are not included with shipped orders.

Honors Cords

Advisors from each honors society will notify recipients with instructions for retrieving honors cords.

Senior portrait of young latino grad in cap and gown

Senior Portraits

All graduates for Fall 2023, Spring 2024, and Summer 2024 for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs — portrait sitting appointments were available in November and December 2023, and February and March 2024. There will be a one-day session at the Kean Union Grad Fair on Thursday, May 2. Appointments will open mid-April, and an email will be sent once available.

Portraits will be taken in the Business Attire as you come dressed, and this pose will be used for the yearbook. Cap and Gown attire will be provided for a second pose.

For questions about obtaining your photo proofs, please call Prestige Photography by LifeTouch, Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at 1-800-OUR-YEAR (800-687-9327).

Cultural Graduation Celebrations

Friday, April 19: Lavender Graduation Celebration Graduation
Miron Student Center, Room 228, 4:30 p.m.
Lavender Graduation provides a space for LGBTQ+ and QTPOC students, as well as their allies, to come together and honor their successes in an inclusive and supportive environment. Register by Friday, April 5.

Kean University 2024 African Heritage Ceremony

Friday, April 26: ¡Celebrando Graduación Juntos!
Wilkins Theatre, 4:30 p.m.
The inaugural celebration recognizes students who identify as Latino/a, Hispanic, Latinx, Latine or Person of Color. This bilingual program will acknowledge the role of lineage, cultura and networks of support in the graduates' success. Register by Friday, April 5.

Saturday, May 4: 37th Annual African Heritage Graduation Celebration
Wilkins Theatre, 4 p.m.
A celebration to honor students of African descent and recognize people of the Pan-African diaspora who identify as being from a country in Africa, African American, Black, Caribbean, Hispanic/Latinx, or a Person of Color. Register by Friday, April 19.

Senior Formal

The Class of 2024 cordially invites you to this year’s Senior Formal, 24K Magic:

Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024
Location: Sheraton Parsippany Hotel (199 Smith Rd., Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ 07054)
Time: 7 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Ticket Sales: Online Only, Monday, March 25 – Monday, April 15, or until sold out (limited tickets available), Purchase Tickets

DETAILS

Price: $50.00/per Kean student and $75.00/per Kean student guest (two (2) tickets per Kean student ID; limited tickets available). You must pick your table location at time of purchase.
There will be a cash bar open to students and guests with proper ID.
Only graduating undergraduate seniors who have completed graduation requirements for December 2023, May 2024 or August 2024 will be eligible to attend the formal. Limited tickets available.
Two (2) tickets per Kean Student ID (please note your guest does not have to be a Kean student). You must complete the Senior Formal Student Travel Registration Form for you and your guest while purchasing your tickets.
Tickets are not transferable and non-refundable; Kean ID will be checked at the door. Kean ID must match the name of the student who purchased the ticket. Guests must have a valid state ID or passport.
Absolutely no walk-ins permitted.

HOTEL ROOMS

Price: Starting at $149.00/per night, plus tax & fees
Room Block Deadline: Thursday, April 11, 2024
Make Reservations: Book Directly with The Sheraton Hotel, or by calling 1-800-266-9432
Booking Code: Reference Kean University Senior Formal Room Block or use the code “KUF”
Upon check-in, credit card will be required for a security deposit.

Buy Senior Formal Tickets

Class Rings

Celebrate your major milestone with an official Kean class ring and other jewelry items. There are plenty of varieties, from the traditional style ring to the modern Kendra Scott Collection. Shop Now!

The Memorabilia Yearbook

For the Class of 2024, we are pleased to announce that all confirmed graduates will receive a FREE digital PDF of the Kean Memorabilia yearbook once it's completed. You will receive an email notification to your Kean email, as we estimate delivery in December 2024. There will not be any printed physical yearbooks for this year.