The graduation ceremony will be held on Friday, May 17.

At the Nesheiwat Convention Center, formerly the Mid-Hudson Civic Center, 14 Civic Center Plaza, Poughkeepsie.

Students should be at the Convention Center by 3:00 p.m. for lineup (doors open at 2:30 p.m.). The ceremony begins promptly at 4:00 p.m. Don't be late!

You will be lined up alphabetically by program. When you pick up your cap and gown, you will be given a Line of March card with your name on it. Please keep it with you; it will be used to announce your name during the ceremony. Print your email and mailing address on the back of the card for our photographers. 

The doors to the Convention Center will open at 2:30 p.m. Doors will close at 4:00 p.m. for the procession and will reopen when the procession is over.

Parking is available in any of the City of Poughkeepsie municipal lots and at metered parking spaces. Please check signage for parking terms and fees.  Parking for people with disabilities is not available on site. Those with a handicap placard/plate may drop off in front of the MJN Center, then park elsewhere. 

Parking for people with disabilities is not available on site. Those with a handicap placard/plate may drop off in front of the MJN Center, then park elsewhere.

Approximately 2 – 2 ½ hours. Staying for the entire ceremony is required.

Yes. Every person regardless of age is required to have a ticket per fire code, even if the child sits on your lap. Please, no strollers. All seating is general admission.

Each graduate will receive four (4) guest tickets. No one will be admitted without a ticket. This includes small children; tickets are per person, not per seat. All seating is general admission.

Cap and gown pickup is scheduled for Monday, May 13 through Wednesday, May 15 from 9 a m  – 5 p m  at the DCC Bookstore. On Thursday, May 16, cap and gowns will be available for pick up during the informational meeting in Falcon Hall from 4 p m  – 7 p m. The Bookstore will be closing at 2 p m  on Thursday, May 16.  Family members are allowed to pick up a graduate's cap and gown.  

The informational meeting will be held on Thursday, May 16 at 5:00 p.m. in Falcon Hall. The meeting is for graduating students and their families. There will be a picnic immediately following the meeting. Please RSVP using this form . Everyone who attends the informational meeting will automatically be entered into a drawing to win up to 6 VIP front row seats for the graduation ceremony. Students must be present to win.

Whatever you are comfortable in. We recommend shoes easy to walk in. Navigating the Convention Center and the stage can be difficult in high heels.

If your CPA was 3.2 or higher at the end of the fall 2023 semester you are eligible to purchase an honor stole at the Bookstore for $25.00 (tax included) and wear it at the ceremony. 

The tassels indicate your degree. The tassel should be worn on the right side of the cap. When instructed, they can be moved to the left.

Yes. Gradimages will be taking pictures of you as your cross the stage. Please make sure you complete the e-mail and mailing address information on the back of your line of march card prior to the ceremony to ensure you receive a copy of the picture proof from the photographer. You can access a free proof of the photos taken at www.gradimages.com.

All diplomas are mailed to you several weeks after the ceremony.

If you anticipate a need for disability related accommodations to participate, please contact Linda Bertolozzi at (845) 431-8058, or bertoloz@sunydutchess.edu, by May 10, 2024.  

The ceremony will be streamed live at www.sunydutchess.edu/live/.