2026 David C. Frederick Honors College Spring Commencement Ceremony
- Date: Thursday, April 30
- Location: Petersen Events Center (3719 Terrace St., Pittsburgh, PA 15261)
- Time: 3 p.m. (Doors open at 2 p.m., graduates must check in in 2:30 p.m.)
Guest Information
Doors Open
Guests may begin entering starting at 2 p.m. through Concourse A or the Thomas E. Richards Family Lobby. Guests who enter through the Thomas E. Richards Family Lobby entrance will be directed upstairs to the Concourse A Level.
Seating
Seating is available on a first-come, first-seat basis. We DO NOT issue guest tickets for this event like Main Commencement. Accessibility seating is available throughout the chapel and cannot be pre-reserved.
Zoom Livestream Access
A Zoom link will be emailed to your graduate's student email five days prior for remote viewing. Please reach out to your graduate to obtain this link.
Ceremony
The ceremony will last approximately three hours. Following remarks from our Dean and inspirational speeches from our Guest and 3 Student Speakers, we will proceed to the "Recognition of Names" portion of the ceremony. During this time, graduates will have their names read aloud as they walk onto the stage for a photo opportunity with Dean Foote. These photos will be shared via a common link to those graduates who participated 2-3 weeks after the ceremony.
Accessibility Information
Both entrances are handicap accessible, but please be aware that there will be a 2-minute walk (depending on mobility) to the main doors, and a 5-minute walk (depending on mobility) to the designated accessible seating areas throughout the venue. The venue will not have on-site equipment available to transport individual guests with limited mobility. We highly recommend families with individuals who have limited mobility to plan ahead to ensure a smooth experience.
Security & Bag Policy
Upon entering the Petersen Events Center, all guests will undergo appropriate security-based screening. Guests should also refrain from bringing bags, backpacks, or purses with them to the ceremony. For additional information on the clear bag policy, click here.
Parking
Available throughout Oakland in addition to street parking
- Soldiers & Sailors Garage (Card/Cash): 0.8 Miles – 20 min walk
- Allequippa Street Lot (OC Lot- Cash Only) 0.4 Miles – 5min Walk
- UPMC Presbyterian Garage (Card): 446.2ft Away – 2min Walk
Graduate Information
This ceremony IS NOT required, but in order to participate graduates must RSVP by April 12 to participate. Failure to RSVP by April 12 will result in graduates being unable to participate in the ceremony as RSVPs will no longer be accepted after the deadline. An email with the RSVP link will be sent to your student email in mid-Februrary.
- Each graduate may bring up to 8 guests (We DO NOT issue guest tickets for this event like Main Commencement).
- University of Pittsburgh Academic Regalia (Cap, Gown, Hood) is required for both the University of Pittsburgh Main Spring Commencement and the supplementary David C. Frederick Spring Commencement and can be purchased through the University Store on Fifth.
- Loaner University of Pittsburgh Academic Regalia (Cap, Gown, Hood) is available—contact Lauren at LND16@pitt.edu for requests with your home school, height and weight.
- Pittsburgh Campus: University Honors cords (summa, magna, cum laude) are distributed by your home school, not the Frederick Honors College. Any issues with University Honors graduation cords are handled through your home school, not the Frederick Honors College.
- Greensburg Campus: University Honors Cord (summa, magna, cum laude) are distributed during the Main University of Pittsburgh - Greensburg Spring Commencement ceremony. You will receive a letter from Academic Affairs regarding your honors status.
Frederick Honors Cords, Stoles & Medallion Regalia
- Graduates of the Frederick Honors College do not need to purchase their Frederick Honors Cord, Stole, or Medallion.
- Frederick Honors Cords, Stoles, and Medallions are given at the Frederick Fit Check Hub and are based off what program you completed. If you have any questions regarding the completion of your graduate degree classification, or your eligibility to participate in the commencement ceremony please contact your Frederick Honors academic advisor.
- Frederick Honors Cord: Honors Distinction Program
- Frederick Honors Stole: Honors Degree Program
- Frederick Honors Medallion: Bachelor of Philosophy Program
- The Frederick Fit Check Hub will take place from April 6 to 9, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on 35th Floor, REES Commons in the Cathedral of Learning. For Greensburg Frederick Honors Graduates, you can retrieve these items through your academic advisor during this time.
Ceremony Logistics for Graduates
- The Petersen Events Center doors open at 2 p.m., and and graduates must check in at the registration tables in the Thomas E. Richards Family Lower Lobby by 2:30 p.m.
- Graduates must arrive dressed in full University of Pittsburgh Academic Regalia (Cap, Gown, Hood) along with their additional Frederick Honors Regalia as no changing areas will be available. University of Pittsburgh Academic Regalia is required to participate in our ceremony.
- It is vital that you remember to bring your Frederick Honors Cord, Stole, and/or Medallion that you received at the Frederick Fit Check Hub to The Petersen Events Center. These items are required to participate, and we will not have extras available on site.
- Military personnel may wear their ceremonial uniforms instead of academic regalia.
- Frederick Honors College Name cards will be pre-printed using the pronunciation details provided in your RSVP and will be given to you at registration on the day of the ceremony. If you’d like to offer our reader additional guidance before walking on stage, you are welcome to do so.
- The ceremony will last approximately 3 hours and will be livestreamed with the link being sent to your student email 5 days prior to the ceremony.
- Security & Clear Bag Policy: Upon entering the Petersen Events Center, all graduates will undergo appropriate security-based screening. Graduates should refrain from bringing bags, backpacks, or purses with them to the ceremony as they might not return to the same seat after crossing the stage.
Additional Resources: University Main Commencement
- The University of Pittsburgh Oakland Campus commencement is planned by the office of Special Events. Please see commencement.pitt.edu for the most accurate and up to date information or contact them directly at gradinfo@pitt.edu, 412-624-7100. The David C. Frederick Honors College does not aid in the planning or execution of this milestone event and as such is not able to any answer questions regarding this ceremony.
- The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg campus main commencement is planned by their Office of Events. Please see greensburg.pitt.edu/academics/commencement for the most accurate and up to date information or contact them directly at sherramoors@pitt.edu, 724-836-7189. The David C. Frederick Honors College does not aid in the planning or execution of this milestone event and as such is not able to answer questions regarding this ceremony.
December Commencement 2026
Our office is still in the planning stages for this celebration. Check back in late August for an update!