Commencement 2024

Commencement and Alumni Reunion Weekend: May 17-19, 2024

  • Monday, May 13, 2024

    4:00 - 6:00 pm - Reception for Class of 2024 Hosted by President Kumar

    • Joyce Cummings Center
    • Reception for the members of the Class of 2024 from Fletcher, GSAS, and the Graduate Programs at the School of Engineering.                                                           

     

    Friday, May 17, 2024

    6:30 - 10:00 pm - Fletcher 90th Celebration Finale

    • Celebrate 90 years of The Fletcher School with classmates, friends, faculty, staff, alumni, students, and the newest alumni – Class of 2024. We’ll be reminiscing on each decade from the 1930s to today to commemorate the 90th Anniversary Finale. Dinner will feature a clam and lobster bake from Woodman’s of Essex and an open beer & wine bar. Guests with dietary restrictions will be provided a vegetarian/vegan meal from Kate's Table. For the third year in a row, live music will be provided from The Marsels! Reunion Giving Awards to be announced by Kelly Sims Gallagher, F00, FG03, at 8:00 p.m.
    • Reception Tent on Fletcher Field 
    • All members of the Fletcher Community and guests who have purchased tickets. Ticket prices for faculty, staff, and students are TBD and are available via the Fletcher Alumni Weekend registration page TBD

     

    Saturday, May 18, 2024 

    10:00 - 12:00 pm - Class of 2024 Brunch and Send Off Meeting and Rehearsal

    12:30 - 1:45 pm - Dean’s Welcome and State of the School Address

    • Dean ad interim, Kelly Sims Gallagher F00, FG03, will speak about The Fletcher School’s highlights over the past year, the 90th Anniversary celebration, and the school’s future direction. 
    • ASEAN Auditorium
    • All members of the Fletcher Community and guests
    • Programs: GMAP and GBA
      • Cabot 7th floor
      • All members of the Fletcher Community and guests

    5:30 – 7:00 pm - PhD Commencement Reception

    • Reception for PHDs and families
    • Cabot 7th Floor

    5:30 – 7:00 pm - GMAP Commencement Reception

    • GMAP Program reception for alumni, students, and families
    • Cabot 7th Floor

     

    Sunday, May 19, 2024

    7:30 am - Class of 2024 Check-In

    • Hall of Flags
    • All members of the Class of 2024 who will be marching.

    9:00 am - Phase I, 168th All-University Commencement Ceremony* 

    • This ceremony includes the academic processional, the awarding of honorary degrees, the all-University Commencement address, the awarding of degrees by Schools, including the official award of the Fletcher degree by Dean Gallagher. Live-streamed for family/guests in ASEAN.
    • Academic Quad
    • All members of the Fletcher Community and guests.

    11:40 am - Phase II, 91st Fletcher School Commencement Ceremony* 

    • The highlight of Fletcher’s Commencement Weekend is the individual presentation of degrees to students and hooding of PhD recipients. The event will be live streamed.
    • Ceremony Tent – Fletcher field.
    • All members of the Fletcher Community and guests.

     

    *The Class of 2024 includes both graduating students who will march and receive degrees and those who are members of the class but who have not yet completed all degree requirements. Members of the Class of 2024 who will not receive degrees are still encouraged to participate in the all-University Commencement (Phase I) on Sunday morning.  During Phase II, Fletcher School Commencement (11:30 am on Sunday), only those who will receive their degree or have permission are able to march. Masters' students on approved extension or continuation may have permission to march without completing all degree requirements.

  • All graduates are required to wear appropriate academic robes for both Sunday ceremonies (University and Fletcher). Members of religious orders are permitted to wear their customary habits instead of academic robes, as are individuals in military uniforms or those clad in special attire required by a U.S. or foreign civil office.

    Doctoral Students:
    PhD recipients should wear academic robes to receive their doctoral hoods.

    • Complimentary PhD hoods will be provided during Fletcher Commencement Day activities. 
    • An optional package including a doctorate tam, gown, and tassel is available for purchase at the Tufts Bookstore starting on April 3, 2024, for $116.98. 
    • A rental package of higher quality is priced at $70.98 and must be ordered in person by April 15, 2024.
    • If you are not local to campus and need to purchase academic robes and regalia for Commencement, make arrangements directly with the Tufts Bookstore at bookstore@tufts.edu or 617-627-2060.

    Master’s Students:
    Graduates are required to wear a cap, gown, hood, and tassel. 

    • Regalia packages are available for purchase at the Tufts University Bookstore starting April 3, 2024. Options include:
      • cap, gown, black tassel, and hood for $123.98, 
      • cap, gown, and black tassel for $72.98, 
      • hood only for $51.98
      • Fletcher School color keepsake tassel can be purchased for $11.98
         
    • A rental package of higher quality material is available in person for $103.98 if ordered by April 10, 2024. Options include:
      • cap, gown, black tassel, and hood for $103.98
      • cap, gown, and black tassel for $57.98
      • hood only for $45.98. 
         
    • Students who are not local to campus (and cannot physically go to the Tufts Bookstore), including those in GBA, MATA, GMAP, and dual degree or exchange programs, should arrange to purchase regalia by contacting the Tufts Bookstore directly at bookstore@tufts.edu or 617-627-2060.

    We understand that for some students purchasing graduation regalia can be cost prohibitive. Thanks to the generosity of former students, the Office of Student Affairs has a limited supply of caps, gowns, and hoods to loan for this graduation season. Student Affairs will send a note to the student body in early April with details on how to borrow regalia. The items will be offered on a first come, first served basis. 

  • If you have guests who will require special accommodations for the Fletcher Commencement Ceremony (e.g., use of wheelchairs), please contact yanina.hillion@tufts.edu.  Information regarding special accommodations for the Tufts campus and for the University Commencement Ceremony may be found here. 

  • Because accommodation space in the area is at a premium this time of year, we urge you to make your reservations as soon as possible.  A list of Tufts University area hotels is available here.  Please inquire with the hotels to see if they offer special Tufts rates.  The Fletcher Office of Development and Alumni Engagement also has secured limited room blocks at local hotels, listed here.  

    Additionally, the University’s Conference Bureau provides on-campus dormitory housing.  On campus housing includes a complimentary full menu breakfast in the dining halls following each night of your stay. Please visit theOn-campus Housing website for more details. 

  • Given the large number of visitors to campus on Commencement Day, please expect that parking will be scarce.   Parking in all university lots will be on a first come, first serve basis so early arrival is recommended.  Parking information is available on Tufts Commencement Parking website.  Please also visit the Tufts Commencement Shuttle Map for information on shuttle service to Packard Avenue. 

  • If you have any questions about Commencement Weekend logistics, please do not hesitate to contact Yanina Hillion at Yanina.Hillion@tufts.edu. We look forward to seeing you and your family and guests during the weekend.