Adelphi will celebrate the University’s 130th Commencement at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on May 21, 2026 with a morning ceremony for undergraduates and an afternoon ceremony for graduate students.
Congratulations on your upcoming graduation from Adelphi University! Find everything you need to know about Adelphi’s 2026 Commencement ceremonies here. If you’re graduating this year, check back often for the latest updates and details.
Adelphi’s 2026 Commencement will be celebrated with two ceremonies, held at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Thursday, May 21. Undergraduate candidates will be recognized at our 10:30 a.m. ceremony and graduate candidates at our 3:30 p.m. ceremony.
Each graduate will receive 10 guest tickets to the ceremony. Graduates do not need a ticket for themselves; your Stage Pass, which can be accessed on Tassel, will serve as your ticket into the venue.
In May, guest tickets will be sent via Ticketmaster to the graduate’s Adelphi email. All guests will be required to have a ticket to enter Nassau Coliseum.
Adelphi is unable to provide extra guest tickets. If you need additional tickets, you may ask a fellow graduate if they have extra to share.
Required Actions for Graduates
- Graduation is not automatic. All students who plan to attend one of Adelphi’s 2026 Commencement ceremonies must complete the application for graduation candidacy and be approved. Visit the One-Stop Graduation website for all the details.
- After successfully completing this application, you will receive an email from Tassel in March with instructions for registering to take part in one of our May ceremonies. The Tassel registration deadline is April 21.
- If you have an unpaid balance, your degree may be conferred but you may not attend Commencement or receive your diploma. If you think you have an outstanding balance, pay your bill online in eCampus/CLASS as soon as possible. If you are unable to pay your bill, contact the One-Stop Student Services Center no later than April 19.
Eligibility Requirements
- You are eligible to participate in Adelphi’s May Commencement if:
- Your degree was conferred in December 2025 or January 2026
- You’re completing your degree requirements in May 2026; or you’re within 12 credits of degree completion and will complete them by August 2026.
- Check our updated FAQs!
Honorary Degree Recipients
Honorary degree recipients at Adelphi’s Commencement ceremonies are selected because they are inspirational figures whose work aligns with important aspects of our University’s mission. Our 2026 honorary degree recipients are:
Joseph W. Westphal ’70, PhD
A distinguished scholar, diplomat and public servant whose career spans decades of consequential service across government and academia. Ambassador Westphal will also deliver the commencement address at our undergraduate ceremony.
Serena Martin ’05
Founder and executive director of New Hour for Women and Children, which provides programs and reentry support for justice-impacted women across Long Island, NY and Rikers Island jails and within New York State prisons.
Christopher Pappas ’81
Is the founder, chairman, president and chief executive officer of The Chefs’ Warehouse, a premier specialty food distributor serving top chefs, restaurants and hospitality professionals across North America and the Middle East. Pappas will also deliver the commencement address at our graduate ceremony.
Z. Paul Akian ’64
A technologist, entrepreneur and philanthropist whose career spans aerospace, defense and global manufacturing.
