Graduation Week

Commencement 2023 will be held May 20, 2023.

Congratulations, Class of 2023! Your moment has arrived! On behalf of the Student Activities Office we could not be happier for you and your accomplishments during your time here at Daemen. 

Before going any further... 

Make sure you:

  1. Have submitted an application for degree with the Registrar's Office.
  2. Have indicated if you are (or are not) participating in the Graduation Ceremony.
  3. Have purchased your cap & gown through the bookstore. Use this link to purchase yours online. (Currently the only way to purchase a cap & gown is through online. Stay tuned for details on in-person orders.)

If you need to do one or all of the following, please head over to daemen.edu/graduationinfo and complete those tasks before going any further here!

Graduation Week Meal Plan

Dining Services will be offering meals between Saturday, May 13-Friday, May 19 when meals are not offered through Graduation Week events. The cost is $130 per person which will include 6 lunches and 6 dinners. Students interested will need to sign up before Friday, May 5. Students may email Jessica Lively, Director of Dining Services at jlively@daemen.edu for more information.

Graduation Week Schedule of Events

Student Acitvities is working with a number of offices and departments to create a memorable experience for our graduating students.Please know that the events planned during Graduation Week are open to ALL graduating students. Undergrad and graduate students included.

Check back often for updates! Please direct any questions about graduation week to Student Activities at student_activities@daemen.edu.

Monday, May 15, 2023

  • 10:00am-3:00pm     
    • Cap Decorating (Wick Center Lobby). Stop by and make your grad cap your own! We'll have a bunch of supplies on hand for you to use or grab and go! This event is free for the Daemen graduating students.
  • 7:00pm-9:00pm     
    • Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society Inductions (Wick Center Alumni Lounge) Email Carol Renner at crenner@daemen.edu for more details.
  • 5:00pm-6:00pm     
    • Giant Prize Bingo (Wick Center Social Room) Come down to the Social Room for your chance to win some amazing prizes and sample local foods and over 21 beverages.This event is free for the Daemen graduating students.

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

  • 5:00pm-7:00pm     
    • Food Truck Dinner (Wick Center Back Lawn). Come join us for a delicious dinner featuring some of our local famous food trucks! This event is free for the Daemen graduating students.
  • 10:00PM-1:00AM                        
    • Late Night Takeover: Grand Island Fun Center All the hard work of studying is over.  So come and have some fun with unlimited batting cages, mini golf, go-karts, and laser tag!  Pizza and fountain drinks included, and transportation provided. Undergrad and grad students can sign up for this event! $15 per student. 

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

  • 11:15am-1:00pm
    • Athletics Senior Luncheon (Wick Center Alumni Lounge) For mroe information email Ian James at ijames@daemen.edu.
  • 2:30pm-4:00pm      
    • Dessert Food Truck (Wick Center Back Lawn). Don't forget to stop by for some local food trucks featuring some of your favorite desserts such as Crepes, Caribbean Ices, and others! This event is free for the Daemen graduating students.
    • 4:00pm-5:00pm         
      • Trustee Scholar Graduate Reception (Rosary Hall). Email Yolanda Morris at ymorris@daemen.edu for more details.
    • 6:00pm-11:00pm  
      • Buffalo Bisons Game. Join your fellow grads in rooting on our Buffalo Bison's! Ticket includes special seating in right field patio, dinner featuring famous local Buffalo items, and 3 adult beverages for those over 21 yrs. Transportation Provided. Undergrad and grad students can sign up for this event! $15 per student. 

    Thursday, May 18, 2023 

    • 11:00am-1:00pm     
      • Campus-Wide Picnic (Wick Center Back Lawn) We're serving up a picnic lunch to the campus community before graduation! Enjoy one final Wick Dining meal before walking the stage with your friends, faculty, and staff here at Daemen. Vegetarian and Vegan options will be available. Bring your appetite! This event is free for the Daemen community to join.
    • 4:00pm-6:30pm                     
      • Physical Therapy Graduation Reception (Wick Center Alumni Lounge) For more information contact  Melissa Wilkerson at mwilkers@daemen.edu.
    • 6:00pm-9:00pm                 
      • Graduation Social @ Buffalo Hofbrauhaus.  Join us for a final celebration of YOU! Ticket price includes transportation, full buffet dinner featuring classic German cuisine (vegan and vegetarian options), live German music, and three drink tickets. Transportation Provided. Undergrad and grad students can sign up for this event! $35 per student. 

    Friday, May 19, 2023

    • 11:00am                         
      • Undergraduate Student Graduation Rehearsal (Wick Center, Social Room). All graduating UNDERGRADUATE students MUST attend.
    • 12:00pm                         
      • Graduate Student Graduation Rehearsal (Wick Center, Social Room). Graduating graduate students should attend, IF you have any concerns about the pronunciation of your name, or if you have any questions about your diploma, and/or academic related inquiries. 
    • 7:30pm     
      Annual Excelence Awards               
      • Annual Excellence Awards (Wick Student Center Social Room). Graduating students, their families, and members of the University community invited. Daemen University’s Annual Excellence Awards Ceremony is an event that celebrates achievement, aspiration, and the completion of undergraduate and graduate careers. We take this time to celebrate academic traditions, to honor achievement, and to congratulate our students who represent excellence in each department. 
    • 9:00pm-11:00pm
      Annual Graduation Celebration Logo
      • Annual Graduation Celebration (Wick Center Dining Room). Time to celebrate all of our graduates at this fun and festive event.This dress-up affair is always a highlight of Graduation Week. Live music, hors' d oeuvres, desserts, and light beverages will be provided. This is a free event for all graduating students, their families, and members of the University community.

    Saturday, May 20, 2023    

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