Commencement 2024

Saturday, May 18, 2024
1:00 p.m.
Center for the Arts, University at Buffalo North Campus

Guest Speaker:
Lee Vermeulen, MS, FCCP, FFIP, Executive Vice President and CEO-designate, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) 
We are proud to host Lee Vermeulen, UB SPPS 1990 BS Pharmacy graduate and AACP EVP as our 2024 commencement guest speaker. You can read more about Lee and his progressive pharmacy leadership HERE. 

Our 2024 commencement ceremony will honor graduates who completed their degrees in Summer 2023, Winter 2024 and Spring 2024 graduation terms.

All graduating students must complete the graduating student commencement and exit survey by April 4, 2024.

This event does not require ticketing for guests.

Safety for all attendees is our first priority. Deliberate disruption or prevention of the peaceful and orderly conduct of classes, lectures, events, meetings and other University activities is strictly prohibited.

Information on ordering graduating student regalia for rental or purchase can be found on the UB Commencement website, posted in early February. For graduates earning a dual or collaborative degree: obtain regalia specific to the highest degree earned (ex. Master's regalia when earning BS/MS). 

Participating graduates who have questions or requests for accessibility accommodations may email Niki Pizzutelli at npizzute@buffalo.edu.

Guests of participating graduates who have accessibility requests may seek further information here: https://www.buffalo.edu/commencement/guest-info/center-for-the-arts.html. 

Professional photographers will capture a photo of each graduate as they cross the stage, and will also take photos during the reception following the ceremony.

Eligible graduating students will appear in the commencement ceremony program book. The student's legal name as it appears in HUB will be used, with the exception of those who request use of their Preferred Diploma Name. To do so, please use your preferred name when completing the SPPS Graduating Student Commencement and Exit Form. Submissions must be provided by April 4, 2024.

Printed Diploma

The Office of the Registrar will mail a printed diploma, free of charge, to your permanent address approximately four to six weeks after the conferral date. Students are responsible for making address changes; these should be made by the term conferral date to ensure that you receive your diploma.

Certified Electronic Diploma
Students who graduated June 2020 and later have the option to purchase a certified electronic diploma (CeDiploma) for $15.95. Notification will be sent to your UB email, from info@credentialtrust.com, approximately 3-6 weeks after your degree conferral date.

Latin Honors/Gold Cord Policy
Students earning baccalaureate degrees (including those awarded as part of combined degrees) are eligible to receive Latin honors based on their UB cumulative grade point average (GPA) on the following scale:

Average (based on 4.000=A)

• 3.200 — cum laude
• 3.500 — magna cum laude
• 3.750 — summa cum laude

To qualify for Latin honors, students must present a minimum of 60 credit hours of UB undergraduate coursework, at least 54 of which must be graded credits (i.e., not grades of 'P',’NP’, 'S' or 'U').

To receive the Latin honors designation in commencement program books, and to be eligible to wear the honorific gold cord (cum laude, magna and summa) at the time of ceremonies, candidates for the June degree conferral date must qualify based upon their UB cumulative GPA through the winter intersession of that year and projected UB credit hours through the spring semester of that year. Standings for Latin honors may change once final grades are posted or degrees conferred.

This recognition is only intended for students who will have their degrees conferred in June, or have had their degrees conferred in the previous February or August.

The gold cords will be available for purchase ($14.25) through the University Bookstore on North Campus beginning March 12. At that time, qualifying students may purchase their cord at the store; please bring UB ID. Students will also have the option to contact the University Bookstore (716-636-6290, selection 4) and make their purchase over the phone; in this case, add $7.99 for home-shipping.