Kean University Announces Unified Commencement Ceremony for Undergraduate and Graduate Students

Kean University will celebrate one unified commencement ceremony for both undergraduate and graduate students on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at the Prudential Center in Newark.  

This milestone event will bring together all bachelor’s and master’s degree recipients to celebrate as one community in a vibrant, inclusive ceremony while preserving the university’s tradition of ensuring each student has the opportunity to cross the stage and be individually recognized. The ceremony recognizes the depth and breadth of the University’s academic offerings and student achievements. 

All graduates will receive four tickets for friends and family to attend. The event will also be livestreamed for others to view it remotely. 

“We are thrilled to launch this new tradition at Kean University,” said President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. "Commencement is a significant milestone, especially for our many first-generation college students who are breaking barriers for their families. By bringing our entire Kean community together for this unified ceremony, we are honoring the persistence, determination and strength of every graduate who has climbed higher to reach this momentous day. Every student will have their moment to shine.” 

Doctoral students will be honored separately in a formal hooding ceremony, which will take place on the University’s Union campus on Thursday, May 8. Further details will be shared in the coming weeks.

The University, which previously hosted two ceremonies on different days, decided to host one ceremony for several reasons: 

• A stronger sense of community: The unified ceremony will allow Kean to celebrate all graduates – both undergraduate and graduate – as one academic family. 

• More tickets for graduate students: Graduate students used to receive only three tickets at prior ceremonies due to space constraints at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. This larger venue will create a better experience by providing an equitable number of tickets for undergraduates and graduates. 

• Alignment with leading universities: Many large research universities host unified commencements, and Kean is proud to adopt this practice while continuing its tradition of individually recognizing each graduate at the ceremony. 

Steve Fastook ’H06, chair of the Kean Board of Trustees, said he is excited for the new ceremony.  

“This new approach to commencement demonstrates Kean’s commitment to providing a world-class experience for students and their families,” Fastook said. “It is an important step forward that allows us to celebrate our graduates in a way that reflects the inclusivity and excellence of the Kean community.”