Winter Commencement 2025

Commencement

Information for Students

We have reached our capacity of 350 graduates for the Winter Commencement ceremony.  All December graduates will be invited to participate in the May 2026 ceremony.  More information will be sent via email in mid-March 2026. If you have any questions, please contact commencement@ccsu.edu.

Central Connecticut State University will host a Winter Commencement on Saturday, December 13, at 1 p.m. in Welte Auditorium. The snow/inclement weather date will be Sunday, December 14. We look forward to celebrating with you! 

Due to limited seating capacity, only the first 350 graduates who RSVP will be admitted and granted three guest tickets. If you require more than three guest tickets, consider attending the Spring ceremony which allows graduates to invite up to six guests. 

When the December ceremony reaches capacity or if you would prefer to participate in the Spring ceremony, all eligible graduates will be automatically invited to participate in the May 2026 ceremony.

Information about the Spring ceremony will be sent to students via Central email in March 2026.

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER

Headshot image of Speaker Megan Clark Torrey

This year’s featured guest speaker is Megan Clark Torrey ’96, ’08, the chief executive officer of the World Affairs Council of Connecticut. AS CEO, Torrey is responsible for producing programming and enhancing the public’s understanding of global issues. Before joining the World Affairs Council in 2003, she worked with UNESCO’s International Year for the Culture of Peace at its headquarters in Paris and the United Nations International Training and Research Institute for the Advancement of Women.

RSVP and guest tickets for the ceremony

  • We have reached capacity for Winter Commencement and registration is now closed.
  • For graduates who have completed their registration on Tassel, your guest tickets are available electronically on Tassel and can be emailed or printed.
  • Upon guest entry into Welte Auditorium, your guests can either show their ticket electronically on their device or present their printed ticket to be scanned.

Parking is available in the Student Center Garage, surface lot off of Ella Grasso Blvd., or in the nearby Welte garage. The GPS address for Welte Hall is 105 Ella Grasso Blvd.

After the Ceremony

Alumni & Bellin room of the Student Center has been reserved for the Winter Commencement reception. All are welcome to attend this party which will take place after the graduation ceremony.

Commencement book and diploma name proof

Students should refer to the Marching Order confirmation emails to ensure their name is correct—that is how your name will appear on your diploma and in the commencement book.  Please report any errors to the Office of the Registrar at regstaff@ccsu.edu immediately.   

For more information, please send an email to commencement@ccsu.edu. 

Student holding diploma at graduation
Dr. Toro at commencement with graduate students
two graduates hugging
Students sitting outside at commencement

Commencement Ceremony - Lightning Safety Plan

In the event of lightning in the area of the stadium, an announcement will be made and everyone in attendance must seek shelter outside the stadium until they are notified that it is safe to return.

  • Family and friends should return to their vehicles or seek shelter in a parking garage.
  • Graduating students should seek shelter in the Gymnasium in Kaiser Hall.
  • Faculty and staff should seek shelter in Hilltop Café or the Rec Center.

Once our staff receives the “All Clear” notification, a horn will sound, and our staff will make announcements that it is safe to return to the stadium and continue the commencement celebration.