2026 Graduates
Eligibility - Who may participate in Commencement?
Students may participate in Commencement if:
- You did/will complete your degree requirements in
- Summer 2025,
- December 2025,
- May 2026,
- August 2026 or
- December 2026
- Have submitted an Application for Degree.
Academic Requirements
Your first step toward graduation is to make certain you meet all academic requirements. Here are some steps to follow to ensure you have completed all your requirements:
- Plan to meet with your adviser soon to review your courses and requirements on BearDEN.
- Undergraduate and Graduate students must file an Application for Degree during the semester prior to their final semester or ASAP in order to graduate. You can find the application in BearPAWS>Student Services & Financial Aid>Student Records>Apply to Graduate.
The Application for Degree also reserves your seat at the Commencement ceremonies.
Financial Obligations (Early April)
- If you have a Federal Perkins Loan or Federal Stafford Loan, please complete an Exit Interview session.
- The Office of Financial Aid will forward instructions for completion of the online Exit Interviews for Federal Stafford Loans.
- Non-Crane undergraduates who have applied for May graduation will receive a Graduation Status check through email by early May.
- If you have questions, meet with your adviser or contact the Registrar's Office in Raymond Hall 313.
- Your student account bill must be paid in full or deferred by Certified Financial Aid to allow the release of your final grades and diploma. Updated billing information can be viewed online 24/7 in the e-Payment Portal, which can be accessed through BearPAWS using the e-bill link.
Grad Fair
The Grad Fair will be held on Wednesday, March 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Barrington Student Union lobby. This is your chance to order your cap and gown, receive and check your name card, purchase a class ring and diploma frame and check to make sure you do not have any holds or missing graduation requirements. The following departments will be available to answer any questions: Alumni Relations, Career Services, Commencement Committee, Financial Aid, Office of Graduate Studies & One Stop.
Caps, Gowns, Hoods, Honors Cords, Graduation Announcements
The deadline for placing your order for Commencement Regalia (caps, gowns, tassels, cords, etc.) is Friday, April 17 to guarantee you receive the size you need. You will be able to order your regalia at the Career & Internship Networking Fair. If you are not able to attend the Graduation Fair, you can order it through the Gear Shop website.
SUNY Potsdam also recognizes Native American traditional attire and military dress uniforms as acceptable regalia for Commencement.
Contact:
Wannita Richards, Potsdam Gear Shop
richarwm@potsdam.edu or (315) 267-3274
Commencement Program Important Information
If you have not yet Applied to Graduate, you must do so immediately. If you do not apply by April 26, your name will not appear in the program. You can find the application in BearPAWS> Student Services & Financial Aid> Student Records> Apply to Graduate.
If you have already applied - excellent! We would like you to review your information and your name as it will appear in the 2026 Commencement program to ensure that everything is correct.
Please log into your BearPaws account and navigate to Student Services & Financial Aid>Student Records>Graduation Ceremony in May. Please check the spelling of your name, your major(s), minor(s) and honors status to ensure they are accurate. This is how your name will appear in the Commencement program. To make any changes to this information:
Bachelor's candidates: Please email registrar@potsdam.edu explaining what you would like to change. Please make sure to note how it appears now and what you would like it to say.
Master's candidates: Please email graduate@potsdam.edu for any changes.
All changes must be requested prior to April 26. NO changes will be processed after this date.
Additional Requirements (By April 17)
- Clear all holds by Friday, April 17. The College will withhold your diploma until your obligations are satisfied.
- Make sure your parking tickets are paid.
- Library books, keys and borrowed College equipment should be returned.
Graduate photos
Saturday, May 16
The College has retained the services of Genesee Photo Systems, and graduates will be photographed as they cross the stage and shake hands with the President. Please visit the Genesee Photo website for professional photos of each graduate, which will be made available for purchase once they have been uploaded.
Application to Graduate
- Undergraduate:
Steph Anable, Registrar's Office
anablesm@potsdam.edu or (315) 267-4803
- Graduate:
Nicole Zeledon, Office of Graduate Studies
graduate@potsdam.edu or (315) 267-2165
Caps, Gowns, Hoods, Honors Cords, Graduation Announcements
- Wannita Richards, Potsdam Gear Shop
richarwm@potsdam.edu or (315) 267-3274