Class of 2024 commencements coming
Universities, colleges share dates, locations
It’s almost time to turn those tassels. University and college students across the state are getting ready for spring graduation. It takes organization, planning, some hopes for good weather and maybe some last-minute cramming. But many in the Classes of 2024 have already made it through pandemic shutdown, sprints of hybrid learning, trepidatious reopenings and all the personal challenges that come with being a student — so celebrating them should be a breeze.
Here, we looked to share a few commencement plans lined up for schools in Delaware.
Delaware State University
Hornets will be headed inside for their ceremony in Memorial Hall Gymnasium, May 10, according to DSU.
All starting at 8 a.m. that Friday, undergraduates are set to hear a keynote speaker in Exelon President and CEO Calvin Butler, marking their commencement in Dover. Then, by 1 p.m. in DeLauder Theatre, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness will lead a keynote address to honor graduate students.
Butler is one of only eight African American CEOs among Fortune 500 companies, according to DSU. And Exelon is one of the nation’s largest utility companies by customer count, serving about 10 million across the region. The company has been a longtime partner scholarship champion of the historically Black institution.
“At Exelon, we are committed to putting equity in energy and powering the future through collaborations with HBCUs — institutions that teach and nurture the students who will be the future leaders in our industry and communities,” Butler said in a press release.
Later that afternoon, Holness will be the first sitting prime minister to speak at any DSU commencement. He became the youngest person, at age 39, to full such a role in Jamaica. DSU also commended his track record as “one of Jamaica’s most transformative Ministers of Education,” among a successful political career.
“We could not be more pleased to have a distinguished leader offer his words of wisdom to the 2024 graduating class,” University President Tony Allen said in a statement. “We are all looking forward to hearing his perspectives on sustainable development as he shares his vision of a shared prosperity for all.”
The details
Undergraduate commencement: 8 a.m., Friday, May 10 — Memorial Hall Gymnasium
Graduate commencement: 1 p.m., Friday, May 10 — DeLauder Theatre, E.H. Building
University of Delaware
Delaware’s largest university will have several commencements and similar ceremonies across its disciplines, from May 12 through May 25, at various locations. There are some nine colleges’ worth of students to celebrate.
That Saturday, May 25, will come with a university-wide ceremony. Details on various college-based commencement and convocation ceremonies can be found online. All of these events are ticketed. Ticket reservations open April 18, and the window to secure those spots closes May 10.
The 174th commencement for University of Delaware is set for 9:30 a.m., with the Class of 2024 expected to fill Delaware Stadium. Parking lots open at 6 a.m., gates 7:30. Graduates get four guest tickets, as families from across the country and farther will make their way to Newark.
President Dennis Assanis will lead the event, joined by a commencement speaker and the presentation of honorary degrees. Details on the accompanying speaker were not yet shared.
The details
Commencement for the Class of 2024: 9:30 a.m., Saturday, May 25 — Delaware Stadium
Tickets required: Available online, April 18 to May 10 (bit.ly/UD24_Commencement)
Virtual options: UDLive
Goldey-Beacom College
Graduates should be set for spring commencement. They should have picked up their tickets, their regalia and even parking passes. Guests without tickets are welcome to tune-in via livestream.
Now, this graduating Goldey-Beacom College class should just look forward to gathering in their gym, off Limestone Road, to be honored all morning. All the pomp and circumstance lasts from about 10:30 a.m. to noon, on May 3, but graduates should check in before 10 a.m.
Their keynote speaker will be Howard Eskin, SportsRadio 94 WIP’s original sports talker.
And bonus: An event the night before, called “Caps & Cork,” promises a night of celebration and nostalgia with GBC staff serving as special guest bartenders at Cork & Barrel tavern.
The details
2023-24 Commencement ceremony: 10:45 a.m., Friday, May 3 — Joseph West Jones Center Gymnasium
Tickets: Required for in-person ceremony. If you missed GradFest, the last day to pick up regalia, tickets and parking passes is April 19. Contact the Registrar’s Office (registrar@gbc.edu).
Virtual option: Expected soon.
Delaware Technical Community College
DelTech’s spring commencement will not only celebrate graduates from spring 2024 but also those of summer and fall 2023, according to the college. Campus ceremonies will cover the state, with the last taking place in University of Delaware’s Bob Carpenter Center.
And it all happens from May 13 to May 15.
Graduates should lock in their places soon, picking up tickets and Delaware Tech regalia available at various graduation parties in mid-April.
The details
Terry Campus: 6 p.m., Monday, May 13 — Dover
Owens Campus: 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 14 — Georgetown
Stanton/George Campuses: 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 15 — Bob Carpenter Center at the University of Delaware
Delaware College of Art and Design
DCAD graduating students this spring will see a special exhibition of their work ahead of a full Class of 2024 Commencement.
The former will take place from 5 to 7
p.m., on May 3 — while the latter and full ceremony is set for 2 p.m., Monday, May 13. A reception for students and guests will begin ahead of time, by noon. The commencement’s speaker will be award-winning Armenian American designer and filmmaker Nick Ace, according to the college’s website, honoring graduates gathered at The Baby Grand in downtown Wilmington.
That’s just a two-block walk from DCAD, which will actually host the postgrad reception by 4 p.m.
The details
Class of 2024 Commencement: 2 p.m., Monday, May 13 — The Baby Grand
Widener University Delaware Law School
Commencement for these lawschool students is right around the corner. And for many, that’s a mixed bag.
“Commencement is a time for you to reflect with pride on your accomplishments on completing your legal studies,” wrote Dean and Professor of Law Todd Clark to his soon-to-be graduates. “For those of you who will soon be taking a bar exam, there is good news and bad news.”
The good news is, he explained, education at Delaware Law has prepared then for an intense next few months of studying. Naturally then, the bad news is they can’t yet relax or party too hard post-graduation.
Commencement will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 17, on the lawn in front of Geesey House and Polishook Hall — marking the achievements of the graduates of December 2023, May 2024 and August 2024, according to the school website. Guests to not require tickets, and all seating is first-come, firstserved.
“The time to celebrate in earnest will be after that exam!” Clark said.
The details
Delaware Law School Commencement: 2 p.m., Friday, May 17 — Delaware campus lawn
Wilmington University
WilmU is ready to mark its 53rd commencement ceremony.
By the end of May, all graduates should have applied to take part in spring commencement, coming on the first Sunday in June. Four ceremonies stretch from Sunday, June 2, to Monday, June 3, across colleges and degrees. Grads need to arrive an hour early. All guests need tickets to take part in these festivities housed in the Chase Center on the Riverfront.
“On behalf of Wilmington University, we extend our sincere best wishes to the graduates and to all who have supported you in your accomplishments,” writes the university online.
The details
53rd Commencement: Chase Center on the Riverfront
Tickets: Required by all by graduate.
Graduates should have received an email about the number of tickets available and ticketing procedures.
Ceremonies:
10 a.m., Sunday, June 2:
College of Business, master’s and doctoral graduates — Wilmington Hall
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, all graduates — Riverfront Ballroom
1 p.m.:
College of Health Professions and Natural Sciences, all graduates — Wilmington Hall
College of Business, associates and bachelor’s graduates — Riverfront Ballroom
4 p.m.:
College of Education and Liberal Arts, all graduates — Wilmington Hall
College of Technology, associates and bachelor’s graduates — Riverfront Ballroom
4 p.m., Monday, June 3:
College of Technology, master’s graduates — Wilmington Hall
Got a story? Contact Kelly Powers at kepowers@gannett.com or (231) 6222191, and follow her on X @kpowers01.