Commencement Honors, Awards and Regalia

All candidates participating in commencement exercises must wear proper academic regalia, which is a cap and gown from the SSU bookstore. 

Caps and gowns are provided to students who are eligible to participate in commencement at no additional cost. Students may pick up their cap and gown at the bookstore from Wednesday, April 9 through Wednesday, May 14, 2025, during store hours, no appointment is needed.

When claiming your cap and gown at the bookstore, please bring with you either a state/federal photo ID or your SSU ClipperCard. Consult the ceremony date and time listing if you need to verify your program or major. There is a charge for shipping, but no charge for the cap and gown. 

The cap and gown is free to eligible graduates. Students receive a credit on their account for the price of cap and gown once they are approved to graduate by the registrar's office. When picking up your cap and gown at the bookstore or ordering it online, enter your student ID at checkout under the space for 'Financial Aid/Scholarship' to apply the credit for your cap and gown and to complete the transaction. The credit will not cover tassels for a minor or any extra souvenir items.

Please contact the bookstore with any questions.

Cords, Stoles and other Regalia

Additional regalia may be awarded to graduates by their academic program, honor societies, activities and others, based on membership and/or achievement. Find details about regalia here.

Reuse or Recycle your Graduation Gown 

Graduates: after taking all the photos you want, please consider passing your graduation cap and gown on to a sibling or friend who might need it. Or, you can recycle them at one of the white textile recycling bins on campus. The textile bins are located behind Forten Hall, just beyond Peabody Hall, and at South Campus. Note that it is now illegal to dispose of graduation gowns and other textiles in the trash in Massachusetts.

Student commencement speakers and singers are selected through an application and review process. Review the rubric before finalizing your speech. Selections will be based on this rubric.

Eligibility

• Be in good academic and disciplinary standing of the graduating class.
• Have completed an intent to graduate form with the registrar’s office, unless you are applying as a commencement singer.
• Submit the application form.
• Interested commencement speakers please limit your speech to three minutes or 400 words in length when delivered.
• Interested commencement speakers will be videotaped presenting the proposed speech for a selection panel to review. (Selection will be made by Dean of Students and Provost.)
• Interested commencement singers will submit a video recording singing the National Anthem to commencement@salemstate.edu; a panel will review and select the singer(s).
• You must attend commencement.

The Senior Awards are presented to a select group of graduating seniors who are members of the Class of 2025 and who meet the following criteria for each award: 

Silver Key

Applicant has a cumulative grade point average between 3.30 and 4.00, significant involvement within the major area of academic concentration, and participation in co-curricular activities within the university community.

Special Recognition

Applicants have demonstrated involvement within the major area of academic concentration and demonstration of significant involvement in co-curricular activities within the college community.

Details on special ceremonies ahead of commencement day will be posted as they are finalized.

ALANA Graduation Ceremony

Join the Center for Justice and Liberation for this ceremony honoring Asian, Latinx, African-American, and Native American Vikings graduating this academic year. This event is for undergraduate students only.

Lavender Graduation Ceremony

Join the Center for Justice and Liberation on Thursday, May 1 from 5-7 pm in Campus Center Veterans Hall for our annual Lavender Graduation Ceremony, honoring LGBTQIA+ Vikings graduating this academic year. While undergraduate students will be prioritized for attendance and supplies, graduate students are welcome to participate and attend while space and supplies last.

First-Generation Student Cording Ceremony

Join the Office of Student Success and the First Year Experience for our annual First-Generation Student Cording Ceremony honoring students who are among the first in their family to achieve a bachelor’s degree.