Tickets
Each midyear commencement participant will receive five (5) assigned seat tickets to the ceremony. Requests for additional tickets can be obtained by placing your name on a lottery list during academic attire distribution on Wednesday, December 10, or Thursday, December 11, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. at the David S. Mack Physical Education Center main gym, North Campus. Students may request as many additional tickets as desired. When the ticket lottery is conducted, if the student is selected, they will only be awarded two tickets at a time. If a selected student requested more than two tickets, their name will reenter the lottery. When the lottery concludes, winners will be notified via their Hofstra Pride email account beginning Friday, December 12, 2025, at 10 a.m. Tickets can be picked up by the requesting student or someone on their behalf with the student’s 700 number. Tickets must be picked up on Tuesday, December 16, or Wednesday, December 17, at the Hospitality Desk located in Room 112 Mack Student Center between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. If tickets are not picked up at that time, they are not guaranteed to be available after those dates.
A webcast of the commencement ceremony will be available at hofstra.edu/commencement .
Ceremony Information
The midyear 2025 commencement ceremony will be held on Friday, December 19, at 1 p.m. in the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex, North Campus. The ceremony will last approximately 2½ hours. The provost will ask the candidates to rise, and the president will confer your degree. When you are called to the stage to be recognized, hand the yellow index card with your name on it to the individual standing behind the podium at the head of the runway. That person will introduce you to the assembly. Proceed across the stage to be congratulated by the president, a member of the Hofstra Board of Trustees, and your dean. Continue across the stage to have your photo taken, and return to your seat.
Commencement Program
A copy of the commencement program will be provided to all candidates when seated.
Reception
A reception will be held following the ceremony at the Mack Physical Education Center.
Senior Portraits
Senior portraits will be taken by Island Photography on the following dates/times:
November 17-21, 10 a.m.-5p.m.
Room 141 Mack Student Center
Portraits will be taken in both business attire and academic attire (cap and gown will be provided). There is a $15 sitting fee collected by Island Photography at the appointment. The only method of accepted payment is credit/debit card. Cash is not accepted. Please arrive on time for your scheduled appointment. No walk-ins will be permitted. If you did not already do so at the Graduation Fair, please visit hofstra.edu/seniors to make an appointment.
Flowers
Commencement participants and guests may visit thecommencementgroup.com/hofstra to order flowers. These flowers will be available for pickup in the lobby of the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex prior to the ceremony.
Class of ‘25 Rings, Frames, Etc.
• Contact the college class ring company at balfour.com
• Contact the diploma frame company at framingsuccess.com.
• Class of ‘25 sweatshirt and tee are available at thecommencementgroup.com/hofstra
• Get your alumni gear and gifts at hofstra.bncollege.com.
Diploma
The Office of Academic Records will notify you when your diploma is ready for pickup, approximately three months after graduation. You may pick it up in Room 207 Memorial Hall or have it mailed to your address on file.
Once again, congratulations on your graduation from Hofstra University!
If you have any questions, or if we can assist you in any way, please contact the Commencement Office at 516-463-4346 or graduation@hofstra.edu
Midyear
Friday, December 19, 2025
1 p.m.
David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex North Campus
Dear Midyear 2025 Commencement Participant:
Congratulations! After years of hard work and determination, you have achieved your goal of earning a Hofstra University degree. The formal proceedings, academic heraldry, and remarks from Hofstra leaders and distinguished guests are sure to make this a banner day for you, members of your family, and friends. To assist in ensuring a memorable day, please read and follow the instructions outlined in this brochure.
Graduation Fair
Seniors graduating in midyear 2025 are invited to attend the Graduation Fair on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mack Student Center Atrium, North Campus. On this date, you will have the opportunity to ask questions about commencement and get information about scheduling senior portraits and ordering class rings. If you are unable to attend the Graduation Fair, please follow the instructions below on how to order your academic attire.
Ceremony Attendance and Academic Attire Orders
For information on ordering graduation attire, please look out for emails from graduation@hofstra.edu. Emails will be sent to your Pride account throughout the month of October. You can also visit our website for more attire ordering information at hofstra.edu/commencement .
Orders for academic attire must be received by Wednesday, November 5, 2025. Additional academic attire will be ordered for students who miss the deadline or register late. Please follow the instructions in the Academic Attire Distribution section to obtain academic attire after the November 5 deadline.
Academic Attire Distribution
Academic attire distribution is on Wednesday and Thursday, December 10 and 11, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the David S. Mack Physical Education Center main gym, North Campus. You may also pick up your academic attire on the day of the ceremony, Friday, December 19, 2025, starting at noon at the Mack Physical Education Center, where you will be lining up. Please present your Hofstra identification card at distribution. There is no fee for the academic attire, and it is yours to keep after the ceremony.
When you arrive at the academic attire distribution area, you will be asked to swipe your Hofstra identification card; if you don’t have your Hofstra identification card, you may provide your Hofstra ID number. You will receive a yellow index card with your name on it. Bring this card with you to your ceremony It will be used to ensure that you are lined up behind the placard with your school name on it, as well as to announce your name at the ceremony and and have your picture taken by Island Photography. Please check the card to make sure your name is listed correctly. If your name is difficult to pronounce, please indicate the phonetic spelling.
Please check your academic attire package to ensure you have a cap, gown, and tassel. Undergraduate degree candidates receive a blue and yellow tassel; graduate degree candidates receive a yellow tassel; all doctoral and law degree candidates receive a gold tassel. Additionally, graduate, doctoral, and law degree candidates receive a hood indicating their school.
Hood Colors
MASTER’S DEGREES
Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – White School of Education – Light Blue
School of Health Sciences – Sage Green
Frank G. Zarb School of Business – Drab
The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication –Crimson
Fred DeMatteis School of Engineering and Applied Science – Orange
Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies – Apricot
DOCTORAL DEGREES
Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences* – White School of Education – Light Blue
Maurice A. Deane School of Law – Purple
School of Health Sciences – Sage Green
Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies – Apricot
*HCLAS Exception – Philosophy, PhD – Dark Blue
Commencement Guests
Guests arriving at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex are encouraged to arrive early and travel light. All guests entering the complex will be subject to routine security measures, including metal detector screening and bag searches. The David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex does not provide an area to check bags, coats, or any other personal belongings. Entrances, which will be clearly marked, have been designated to assist with the flow of guests entering the building.
Entrance E – Accessible
Entrances B, C, and D – General admission
Robing and Assembly
Instructions for robing and assembly will be given to you at academic attire distribution. Please arrive at the Mack Physical Education Center one hour before the ceremony to be placed in the procession. You will be instructed to line up by school. Ushers will indicate how and when you are to proceed to your seat.
