Graduation

The Campus Commencement is a traditional outdoor ceremony on the Rowan College of South Jersey Gloucester campus. Graduates wear ceremonial regalia. Following the commencement custom, students will march, listen to graduation speeches, and be acknowledged on stage before the official conferral of degrees.
Students eligible to participate in commencement received official communication through their RCSJ email. Regalia pickup for those who choose to ship to the store is available starting on May 6 in the campus bookstore.

Commencement Rehearsal

Campus Life hosts a commencement rehearsal and celebration for all graduating students on Wednesday, May 13, at 11 a.m. All graduates are encouraged to attend this free and fun event, but rehearsal attendance is not required. Please arrive early and check in outside the Education and Humanities Center. If you are unable to attend rehearsal, it's ok! Just make sure you check your email for final details about the commencement lineup before May 15.

Commencement Day

Guest Information

Guests are invited to attend Commencement. Tickets are not required.
Students may invite unlimited guests to commencement. Seating is first-come, first-served.

The ceremony will start on time, so guests should arrive by 10:15 a.m. for the 11 a.m. ceremony. Outdoor seating is uncovered. Graduates and guests should monitor the weather forecast and prepare accordingly. Sun protection is recommended for all attendees.

A livestream of the ceremony will be available on the commencement website on Friday morning.
Refreshments and flowers will be available for purchase, cash only.

Handicapped Parking is available in Lot D for those with the appropriate decal. Additionally, there is a designated area for discharging passengers behind the Student Services building off Alumni Drive (view map). A limited number of Security staff will be on hand for those needing assistance. Arrive at least one hour early if you need help.

Prohibited Items

To maintain visibility and safety in the commencement viewing area, umbrellas, helium balloons, large bags, and large signs are prohibited.

Inclement Weather Plans
In the event of inclement weather, the Campus Commencement could be moved to a later time on Friday, May 15. In the event of extreme inclement weather, the Campus Commencement will be moved to Saturday, May 16. Time to be determined. We encourage graduates to keep the dates open.

If an inclement weather plan is enacted, the website will be updated, and graduates will be notified via text and email.

Alternate Viewing Locations

A livestream of the ceremony will be available on the commencement website. Alternate viewing location seating is limited and available in the following locations:

Rastelli Business and Corporate Center, Room 500
Education and Humanities Center, Room 430
The Student Services building has air-conditioned relaxation areas, water fountains, and bathrooms for guests.

Families and Caregivers

A Baby Care Center will be set up in the Education and Humanities Center, room 443. This space is reserved for caretakers and parents with young children who need to escape the crowd for changing, feeding, or relaxation.

A Lactation Room is available in the Education and Humanities Center near room 424.

Single-stall, gender-neutral, accessible restrooms are available in the Education and Humanities Center, Student Services Building, and Eugene McCaffrey College Center.

Congratulations

Share your special moments with your classmates, your college, and the world on social media! Follow #RCSJ2026 and use that hashtag when you post on social media!

Diploma Jacket Pickup

Graduates unable to attend the ceremony may pick up their commemorative diploma jacket cover from the Student Services building beginning the week of May 18. All diplomas are mailed upon official conferral of your degree. Be sure you have an accurate mailing address on file.

Please check back often for updates.

Gloucester Commencement Checklist

The Campus Commencement is a traditional outdoor ceremony on the Rowan College of South Jersey Cumberland campus in parking lot L. Graduates wear ceremonial regalia. Following the Commencement custom, students will march, listen to graduation speeches, and be acknowledged on stage before the official conferral of degrees. Post ceremony, there will be a picture tent in parking lot K.

Students eligible to participate in commencement received official communication through their RCSJ email. Regalia pickup for those who choose to ship to the store is available starting on May 6 in the campus bookstore.

Commencement Rehearsal

Campus Life hosts a Graduation Barbecue on Wednesday, May 13 at 12:30pm in parking lot K. Immediately following this event is the mandatory Graduation rehearsal in parking lot L. The Barbecue is a celebration for all graduating students, and all graduates are encouraged to attend this free and fun event. Please arrive by 12 noon to check-in at the Barbecue event in parking lot K. You will check into rehearsal at the beginning of parking lot L immediately after the barbecue event starting at 1:40 p.m. If you are unable to attend the barbecue and/or the mandatory rehearsal, please email [email protected] to learn about what you missed. To get further details, please check your college email before May 14.

Commencement Day

Thursday, May 14, 6pm sharp - parking lot L

Guest Information

Guests are invited to attend the Commencement ceremony. Tickets are not required.
Students may invite unlimited guests to commencement. Seating is first-come, first-served.
The ceremony will start on time, so guests should arrive no later than 5:00 p.m. - keep in mind traffic to and from the event and securing seats. Outdoor seating is uncovered, so please monitor the weather forecast and prepare accordingly.
A livestream of the ceremony will be available on the commencement website on Thursday evening.
Refreshments and flowers will be available for purchase via cash only.

Disabled Parking is available by emailing [email protected]. A limited number of Security staff will be on hand for those needing assistance. Arrive at least 1.5 hours early if you need help.

Inclement Weather Plans

In the event of inclement weather, the Campus Commencement could be moved to an earlier or later time on Thursday, May 14. In the event of extreme inclement weather, the Campus Commencement will be moved to Saturday, May 16, time to be determined. We encourage graduates to keep the dates open.

If an inclement weather plan is enacted, the website will be updated, and graduates will be notified via text and email.

Alternate Viewing Locations

A livestream of the ceremony will be available on the commencement website. Alternate viewing location seating is limited and available in the following location:

Luciano Center - look for signs as you enter the building, room B/C 107 and park in lot G. You can drop people off by the circle near the building entrance if need be.

Families and Caregivers

Please seek space in any lobby area per building if you need to get away from the noise and go to a quieter space.

We have a Lactation Room on the 2nd floor of Arpino - Room 276.

Restrooms

Accessible rest rooms are available in the Arpino Building, and in the Student & Enrollment Services building while accessible port-o-johns will be near parking lot K.

Flowers, Snacks, and Drinks for Sale:
Please bring cash to select beautiful flowers for your Grad; snacks and drinks for yourself while you wait for the ceremony to begin. These items are sold under the RCSJ tents near parking lot K.

Congratualtions!

Share your special moments with your classmates, your college, and the world on social media! Follow #RCSJ2026 and use that hashtag when you post on social media!

Diploma Jacket Pickup

Graduates unable to attend the ceremony may pick up their commemorative diploma jacket cover from the Student & Enrollment Services building Call/Information Desk beginning the week of May 18. All diplomas are mailed upon official conferral of your degree. Be sure you have an accurate mailing address on file.

Please check back often for updates.

Cumberland Commencement Checklist

A link to photographs of most events will be available shortly following the event.

4/20/26
High School Ceremony - Joint Campus Ceremony

• 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
• Cumberland Campus - Guaracini Theater
• Video of the Event

4/23/26
The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) - Joint Campus Ceremony

• 6:00 pm -7:15 pm
• Cumberland Campus - Guaracini Theater
• Video of event

4/27/26
Tri Alpha Honor Society - Joint Campus Ceremony

• 6:00 pm -7:30 pm
• Gloucester Campus - Gymnasium
• Video of Event

4/29/26
GEAR-UP Award Ceremony and Senior Send-Off

• 6:00 - 8:30 pm
• The Grove at Centerton

5/1/26
EOF Awards - Cumberland Campus Ceremony

• 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
• Cumberland Campus - C107

5/4/26
President's Award Ceremony - Cumberland Campus Ceremony

• 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
• Cumberland Campus - Guaracini Theater

5/6/26
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Induction Ceremony - Joint Campus Ceremony

• 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
• Cumberland Campus - Guaracini Theater
• Video of Event

5/7/26
Cumberland County Educational Fund Scholarship Reception - Cumberland Campus

• 5:30 pm
• Vineland - Savoy Inn

5/8/26
ACT Graduation - Joint Campus Ceremony

• 10:00 am
• Cumberland Campus - Guaracini Theater
• Video of Event

5/8/2026
RCSJ Student Art Award Ceremony and Reception - Cumberland Ceremony

• 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Arts & Innovation Center

5/11/26
Radiography Pinning Ceremony - Cumberland Ceremony

• 3:30 pm -4:30 pm
• Cumberland Campus - Guaracini Theater

5/11/26
RN/PN Pinning Ceremony - Joint Campus Ceremony

• 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
• Cumberland Campus - Gymnasium
• Video of Event

5/12/26
STEM Recognition Ceremony - Gloucester Campus Ceremony

• 4:30 pm
• Gloucester Campus - MEC Lobby

5/12/26
President's Award Ceremony - Gloucester Campus Ceremony

• 6:00 pm -7:30 pm
• Gloucester Campus - Gymnasium

5/19/26
Dukes Athletic Awards Ceremony - Cumberland Campus Ceremony

• 5:00 pm doors open/ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm event
• Cumberland Campus - Theater and Gymnasium

6/11/26
HSE Graduation Ceremony -Joint Campus Ceremony

• 10:00 am
• Gloucester Campus - College Center

6/18/26
Police Academy Graduation - Gloucester Campus Ceremony

• 10:00 am
• Gloucester Campus - Gymnasium

6/25/26
CTE Commencement - Cumberland Campus Ceremony

• 6:00 pm
• Cumberland Campus - Guaracini Theater

Ceremonial Regalia

An email with instructions will be sent to eligible graduates to order commencement regalia (cap and gown). We encourage you to dress in your cap and gown and take pictures to share this proud moment with family, friends, and RCSJ. 

Diplomas 

Note: Your actual diploma and an official transcript will also be sent later in the summer.

Rowan College graduates students five times a year, which includes, May, June, August, December, and January.

Students who wish to graduate must complete a graduation application via the Portal during the period listed in the Graduation Dates and Deadline Chart. Please refer to the Student Records page to view the Graduation Dates and Deadline Chart.

Your actual diploma and an official transcript will also be sent later in the summer. Diplomas will automatically be mailed. When your diploma is ordered, you will receive an e-mail. We will also mail you a complimentary Official Transcript.

Share your photos or videos, and follow your classmates on social media! Follow #RCSJ2026 and use that hashtag when you post on Instagram, TikTok, or X.

GradImages takes photographs of all graduates as they receive their diplomas. To view the gallery or purchase pictures, visit the GradImages website . If searching for photos by school, use: 'Rowan College'.

Note: Photos taken by GradImages at Commencement should be available 5 - 10 days after the event.

Links to individual event photo albums will be emailed to participating students a few days after the event. You are welcome to download, share, and print your photos. They can also be found in the Additional End-of-Year-Ceremonies and Events section above.