Graduating Students

Each graduate who has been approved to graduate by the Office of the Registrar will be able to order their spring 2026 commencement tickets online. If you did not file with the registrar, you cannot get tickets. Please see Applying for Graduation for further details.

Events for Jonesboro are Central Time (CT).

A student speaker will be selected for the main commencement ceremony. If you are interested, please complete the application form by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 6.

Candidates must:

• Be receiving an undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree in December 2025, May 2026, or August 2026.
• Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2 (undergraduate) or 3.5 (graduate or professional).
• Demonstrate a commitment to campus involvement with a verifiable list of extracurricular and volunteer activities, club memberships, and leadership positions.
• Deliver a two-minute sample speech to the selection committee that will be judged on:
  • Content (unique perspective, motivational aspects, relevant quotations, and anecdotes).
  • Presentation style and speech delivery.

The Student Speaker receives:

• Invitations to the President’s Breakfast Reception for yourself and two guests.
• Four tickets to the VIP seating section (in addition to four general seating tickets) for the main ceremony.
• VIP parking at New York Tech’s Long Island campus on commencement day.
• Platform party processional and seating.
• Recognition in the commencement program.

Process and Deadlines:

Phase I: Application

Due Friday, March 6, by 11:59 p.m.

• Your completed application should include a video recording of yourself reading your responses and/or telling your story in your own words.

Phase II: Interviews
March – April

• Your application will be reviewed by the selection committee.
• All semifinalists will be contacted and interviewed.
• A winner will be selected.

Phase III: Practice Sessions
April – May

• Selected student will work with a presentation coach to prepare and finalize their commencement speech, which will be approximately two minutes long.

Deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. on Friday March 6.

Interested in singing the National Anthem at commencement?

A student singer will be selected for the main commencement ceremony. If you are interested, please complete the application form by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 6. The student singer receives:

• Invitations to the President’s Breakfast Reception for yourself and two guests.
• Four tickets to the VIP seating section (in addition to four general seating tickets) for the main ceremony.
• VIP parking at New York Tech’s Long Island campus on commencement day.
• Platform party processional and seating.
• Recognition in the commencement program.

Deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. on Friday March 6.

All participating graduates must wear academic regalia (cap and gown) in the commencement ceremonies. New York Tech provides academic regalia, at no cost, to graduating students.

Please remember to provide your home address that is where your cap and gown will be sent.

Island Photography is our official commencement photographer for 2026.

They will be providing professional photo coverage for every graduate as they are recognized during the ceremony.

Proofs will be delivered via email within 48-72 hours after the ceremony.

Please contact the Island Photography customer service team if you have any concerns or questions, at custserv@islandphoto.com or 800.869.0908.

If you would like to order a senior portrait, you can have it taken on campus during the dates below.

The photographer will provide you with regalia (cap and gown) for the photo. You can also have a photo taken in your regular wardrobe.

Long Island Campus – Old Westbury

Schedule your appointment with Island Photography:

If you are unable to have your photo taken on one of these days, contact Island Photography at 800.869.0908 to arrange for a photo session at their studio in Port Washington, N.Y.

New York City Campus

Schedule your appointment at www.ThorntonStudio.com using Code: 02782

If you are unable to have your photo taken on one of these days, contact Thornton Studio at 212.647.1966 to arrange for a photo session.

Seniors, share your photos for our commencement day montage! All images should be 1600×1200 pixels (2MP) or higher and have a file size of less than 10mb. Email photos to comm2026@nyit.edu.

If you have any questions about any of the cords listed below, please contact deanofstudents@nyit.edu. Please also note that distribution of all the below cords will also occur at each campus’ Mayfest events.

Graduating with Distinction

The silver braided honor cord, worn draped from the neck on the front of the gown, designates the wearer as Summa Cum Laude (institutional GPA of 3.95-4.00), Magna Cum Laude (institutional GPA of 3.75-3.949), and Cum Laude (institutional GPA of 3.50-3.749). Honor cords can be PURCHASED by graduates who qualify. 

Veterans and Military-Affiliated Students

Veteran and military-affiliated honor cords can be mailed to eligible students or picked up from May 5 to May 16 (Monday through Friday) from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the Student Life Offices (SAC second floor in Long Island and 26 W. 61st St., first floor, in New York City).

Student Leadership Cords

Students who have participated in three or more student leadership opportunities during their New York Tech career can apply HERE for a student leadership cord. Students can pick up these stoles from May 5 to May 16 (Monday through Friday) from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the Student Life Offices (SAC second floor in Long Island and 26 W. 61st St., first floor, in New York City).

Greek Letter-Affiliated Students

Graduating Greek-affiliated students can receive a Greek graduation cord. Students can pick up these stoles from May 5 to May 16 (Monday through Friday) from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the Student Life Offices (SAC 2nd floor on long island and 26 W. 61st St., first-floor, in New York City).

Athletes

Graduating student-athletes can receive a student-athlete graduation stole to honor their athletic participation. Students can pick up these stoles from May 5 to May 16 (Monday through Friday) from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the Student Life Offices (SAC second floor in Long Island and 26 W. 61st St., first floor, in New York City).