Pitt Business Graduation Recognition Ceremony

Information for Students

ARRIVAL TIME: 5:45 p.m.  Students will immediately line up as they enter PPG Paints Arena.  There will be no parents or guests allowed in this area.

TICKET INFORMATION: No tickets or RSVP are required.

CAPS AND GOWNS: Graduating students can order their cap and gown through Graduation Central in person at Alumni Hall, Connolly Ballroom, at a date to be named in April 2020. This graduation regalia is required for the ceremony. You should be able to receive your graduation items on the spot. It is vital that you attend Graduation Central if you are participating in commencement. If you cannot make these dates, please call the University Book Store to order your cap and gown. The number is 412-648-1455.

PHOTOGRAPHY: GradImages, an external photography service, will take pictures of all students as they get their diploma and after they have received their diploma. These pictures can be purchased by students directly through the company.

DIPLOMA FRAMES: Herff Jones, an external company, provides diploma frames and graduation announcements that can be personalized. The text inside of the announcement can be customized to display the graduation recognition ceremony information. Students who wish to order a diploma frame or announcements may visit the company website.

Information for Parents

ARRIVAL TIME: The gates open at 5:45 p.m. and the graduation ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m.

SEATING: Seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.  There is no ticket required to attend the graduation ceremony. However, a printed ticket is required for seating in an ADA area. Please see the Accessibility Accomodations section below for details.

ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS: PPG Paints Arena provides accessibility accommodations to guests with disabilities and special needs. Guests who wish to be seated in an ADA area must first obtain a printed ticket from Guest Services in Section 104. This ticket can be obtained by anyone (e.g. Parent or Graduate). Please note: there is no fee for the ticket, although it is required for all events, including non-ticketed events such as the Pitt Business Graduation Ceremony. Please visit the PPG Paints Arena website for further information on ADA seating and parking. (On this website’s ADA instructions, ignore the instructions to purchase accessible tickets via Ticketmaster.) Please call the arena at 412-642-1800 if you have any further questions.

PARKING: Parking is available at PPG Paints Arena’s Jim Shorkey Dodge South Lot. View parking map.

PHOTOGRAPHY RULES: Cameras are allowed, but admittance to the floor area of PPG Paints Arena is prohibited.  Pitt Business will have professional photographers on site and will share photos after the ceremony.  Please see above to the photography section of the Student Information area for more information.

EVENT PROGRAMS: Event programs will be distributed as you enter the arena

COMMENCEMENT FLOWERS: For your convenience, Commencement Flowers is on site before and after the ceremony if you would like to purchase flowers for your graduate. The company carries top-of-the-line quality, fresh cut flowers, with a large variety of colors and sizes.  If you would like to pre-order flowers or a graduation T-shirt, you can do so on their website.

1 Dozen Long-Stem Roses – $35 with babies breath and greenery

1/2 Dozen Red Roses – $20

10.5″ Teddy Bear – $20 with purchase of flowers

T-shirt with all graduates’ names – $25

Sweatshirt with all graduates’ names – $45

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS: If you have additional questions about the graduation ceremony that were not answered on the website, please contact Jeanne O’Donnell, administrative assistant to the dean, at jodonnell@business.pitt.edu or (412) 383-7349