BINGHAMTON, NY -- Beginning in May 2013, Binghamton University will hold individual commencement ceremonies for each school and college, as well as for the three divisions of Harpur College of Arts and Sciences, throughout Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19. The new schedule will also include a convocation and hooding ceremony for doctoral candidates on Friday, May 17. The Graduate School of Education will hold its Commencement a week prior, on Friday, May 10, at Traditions at the Glen in Johnson City.

With this new model, the University will combine the personalized nature of the recognition ceremonies, with students’ names being read as they walk across stage, with the official degree conferral.

“By holding a single ceremony for each school and division, we’ll be able to provide a more personal experience for all of our students as they receive individual recognition along with the caps and gowns, and pomp and circumstance of a formal ceremony,” said President Harvey Stenger.

With the changes, the deans of each school and college — the College of Community and Public Affairs, the Decker School of Nursing, the School of Management, the Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science and the Graduate School of Education — as well as the three divisions of Harpur College of Arts and Sciences (fine arts and humanities, science and mathematics, and social sciences) will have latitude to develop traditions that will be unique to their disciplines. For example, the Decker School of Nursing, which used to hold its pinning ceremony during a Saturday recognition event, will now be able to incorporate its pinning ceremony into its commencement ceremony.

This new model of consolidated, yet personal, ceremonies will focus efforts at a single site — the Events Center — for a more efficient use of resources.

The 2012 Fall Commencement will proceed as scheduled. For additional information about Spring 2013 Commencement, including the schedule of ceremonies, visit the University’s Commencement website.