News

Past Commencement News

  • February 3, 2023

    man speaking in front of a NASA logo.

    NASA astrophysicist is RIT’s Academic Convocation keynote speaker

    Thomas Zurbuchen, astrophysicist and the longest continually serving associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate in NASA’s history, will be the keynote speaker for RIT’s Academic Convocation ceremony starting at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 12, in the Gordon Field House and Activities Center.

  • May 6, 2022

    three graduating students wearing their cap and gown and important sashes.

    RIT grads told to ‘enrich the world’ with grace

    RIT celebrated its 137th academic convocation Friday morning in the Gordon Field House and Activities Center. Keynote speaker Kimberly Bryant, founder of the nonprofit organization Black Girls CODE, told the graduates to be proud of their achievement, be excited about what is next in their lives, and remember—with grace—what it took to get to this milestone.

  • April 26, 2022

    student standing in front of a SpaceX rocket.

    RIT graduates turn multiple job offers into their No. 1 choices

    As the nation’s reshuffled economy rebounds from the pandemic, RIT students graduating from a university renowned for its academic rigor combined with successful internships and co-op experiences are leveraging multiple job offers into their top choices.

  • April 26, 2022

    three students posing for a photo.

    First graduates from RIT’s partner charter school poised to receive their RIT degrees

    A trio of trailblazing students who came to RIT from the university’s partner charter school will fulfill a long-term promise when they receive their college degrees at commencement this May. Zaid Abdulsalam, Ismael Cortes Jr., and Justice Marbury were among the first students to enroll at Rochester Prep High School, and they were the three students from the first graduating class in 2018 who chose RIT as their destination.

  • April 26, 2022

    student Emily Horton with a rainbow flag draped around her shoulders.

    Graduating students find their place on campus

    RIT students have more than 300 clubs and organizations to choose from today. There are also 24 varsity athletics teams and numerous intramural sports, among other groups. For many students, these extracurricular activities are a great way to try something new, find a niche, and build lasting relationships.

  • April 15, 2022

    side-by-side portraits of Kimberly Bryant, Josephine King Olsen, G. Peter Jemison, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

    RIT to confer four honorary degrees at May 6 commencement ceremony

    RIT will confer honorary degrees to four outstanding individuals at its 2022 commencement ceremony on May 6: Kimberly Bryant, founder of the nonprofit organization Black Girls CODE; Josephine King Olsen, former director of the Peace Corps; G. Peter Jemison, a member of the Heron clan of the Seneca Nation of Indians; and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, president of Ukraine.

  • May 14, 2021

    Graduate pointing into the air in celebration while crossing stage.

    RIT sees more than 4,100 students graduate

    Commencement ceremonies for more than 4,100 RIT students begin today and continue through Sunday, enabling graduating students to don their regalia, walk across a stage, and be acknowledged by administrators for their milestone achievements despite a global pandemic.

  • May 11, 2021

    environmental portrait of student Joanna C. S. Santos.

    Ph.D. students take different career paths

    More than 50 students are expected to earn their Ph.D. degrees by the end of June. The hooding ceremony, which will also include Ph.D. recipients in the class of 2020, is May 15.