📅 Monday, April 28
🕘 6:30 PM
📍 Golisano Community Engagement Center
Students can bring 2 guests.
RSVP to tanner_sharon@roberts.edu by Monday, April 14.
Commencement
Congratulations, Class of 2025!
Welcome!
Commencement is almost here, and we can't wait to celebrate the Class of 2025!
Whether you're a graduating student preparing for the big day or a guest joining in the celebration, this page has everything you need—ceremony details, livestream links, ticket info, and more.
GRADUATE, PROFESSIONAL STUDIES & NORTHEASTERN SEMINARY
May 10, 2025 at 9:30 a.m.
Class Speaker: Adrian Greer
TRADITIONAL UNDERGRADUATE & B.E.L.L.
May 10, 2025 at 2 p.m.
Class Speaker: Angelica Polcini
Meet the Commencement Speaker
Emerson U. Fullwood, Trustee
Emerson U. Fullwood is a retired corporate vice president of Xerox Corporation, where he led a distinguished career for over 36 years. While at Xerox, he served as President of Xerox Worldwide Channels Group, President of Latin America, President of Worldwide Customer Services Group, Executive Chief Staff Officer of Developing Markets Group, and Executive Chief and Marketing Officer for Xerox North America.
He frequently is named among the nation’s top executives, earning recognition in 2007 from Black Enterprise magazine as one of the “75 Most Powerful African-Americans in Corporate America.” He has also been the recipient of numerous leadership, community, and philanthropic awards, including the 2016 United Way Alex Tocqueville Leadership Award. In 2019, Emerson received the Rochester Business Journal ICON Award, the North Carolina State University Top 40 Alumni Award, and the Rochester Area Community Foundation 2022 Philanthropy Award.
Mr. Fullwood currently serves on the boards of several businesses, higher education, and philanthropic organizations. He has served on the Roberts Wesleyan Board of Trustees since 2014. He also serves as a board member for the University of Rochester, the University of Rochester Medical Center, North Carolina A&T University, Monroe Community College Foundation, the Rochester Urban League, United Way of Greater Rochester, Rochester Boy Scouts of America, and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.
He is a Board of Directors member of The Vanguard Group and Vanguard funds. He formerly served as a Board of Directors member of SPX Corporation, SPX Flow Corporation, Amerigroup Corporation, General Signal Corporation, and Eltrex. Mr. Fullwood holds a Bachelor of Arts in economics from North Carolina State University, an MBA in marketing from Columbia Universit,y and an honorary doctorate from North Carolina A&T University. He and his wife, Vernita, reside in Pittsford, ,NY and have two daughters and two grandchildren.
Information for Students
Please arrive at Rinker Community Center 45 minutes before your ceremony for the lineup.
Regalia
Cap and Gown Orders are open. The website closes on March 22, 2025.
TUG Cap & Gown pick up is at the Senior Grad Bash on Monday, May 5th, 4pm - 6pm behind Davison.
GPS Cap & Gown pick up is in the Roberts Wesleyan University Bookstore starting on April 23, 2025 in the bookstore located in the upper level of the Voller Athletic Center.
CAP AND GOWNS CAN NOT BE PICKED UP THE DAY OF COMMENCEMENT.
For any questions regarding your cap and gown orders please contact the Roberts Campus Store staff at roberts@slingshotedu.com or at 585-594-6140.
Tickets
Tickets are general admission and free of charge.
Students graduating in the 9:30 am Graduate, Professional Studies and Seminary ceremony may request up to 6 guest tickets
Students graduating in the 2:00 pm Undergraduate and B.E.L.L. ceremony may request up to 9 guest tickets
Eligible graduates will receive an email with information on how to request and receive their tickets.
Another email will be sent out on April 1, allowing students to request extra tickets if needed.
For ticket questions, please contact Tor Nielsen at 585-594-6532 or Nielsen_Tor@roberts.edu
DIPLOMAS MAILED BY LATE JULY
Update your address with Registration at 585-594-6220 if it has changed since submitting your degree application.
NOT ATTENDING COMMENCEMENT?
Email academicaffairs@roberts.edu and copy Tor Nielsen (nielsen_tor@roberts.edu) to request graduation in absentia.
DOWNLOAD YOUR PROGRAM
Check back here to view the program when it becomes available.
Visitor Information
Please arrive at the Voller Athletic Center at least 30 minutes before the ceremony to ensure you have enough time to have your bags checked and find a seat.
For parking and on-campus directions: Campus Map
Flowers in ½ dozen bouquets will be available to purchase for $20.00 (check or cash only) for an hour before each ceremony. The sale locations will be outside and inside the Voller Athletic Center Arena. The flower sales will go to the Athletics Department.
Special Accommodations
If guests need accommodations, please contact Samantha Herbert at herbert_samantha@roberts.edu by Monday, April 28. Include details and a contact number.
If a graduate needs accommodations, please contact Martha Smith at Smith_Martha@roberts.edu or call 585.594.6659 by Monday, April 28. Include details and a contact number.
Guest and graduate accommodations include:
- Sign language interpreter
- Wheelchair access (wheelchairs not provided)
- Crutches or mobility challenges
- Recovery from recent surgery
- Service animal for a medical condition
Departmental Ceremonies
TUG Business Senior Awards Night
Business Graduate & Professional Studies Celebration Event
📅 Thursday, May 1st
🕘 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
📍 Golisano Community Engagement Center
Details will be sent directly to students. Contact: Paulette Vickers at vickers_paulette@roberts.edu or Renna Lonnen at lonnen_renna@roberts.edu
Graduate Psychology Hooding Ceremony & Reception
Occupational Therapy Doctorate Hooding Ceremony
📅 Friday, May 9, 2025
🕘 2:00 pm
Details will be sent directly to students.
For questions contact: haskins_mya@roberts.edu
Master of Social Work Graduate Hooding Ceremony
📅 Friday, May 9th 2025
⏰ 7:00 PM
📍 Golisano Community Engagement Center - Rm 102
Details to be sent via email invitation directly to students
Contact - Ellyn Cornell at cornell_ellyn@roberts.edu or 585-594-6692
Nursing Dedication Pinning and Lamp Lighting Ceremony
📅 Friday, May 9, 2025
🕘 7:00 p.m.
📍 Andrews B. Hale Auditorium in the Howard Stowe Roberts Cultural Life Center
Honoring the senior nursing students, and recognizing the junior and sophomore nursing students. Reception immediately following the ceremony in Shewan Recital Hall, Howard Stowe Roberts Cultural Life Center
Grace Stiles is the contact person for this event, School of Nursing x6459, Email: stiles_grace@roberts.edu
School of Theology and Northeastern Seminary Worship Service and Hooding Ceremony
📅 Friday, May 9, 2025
⏰ 7:00 PM
📍 Pearce Church 4322 Buffalo Rd, North Chili, NY 14514
School of Theology and Northeastern Seminary graduates and their families are invited to an evening worship service. This will be an intimate and meaningful time to reflect and give thanks as graduates conclude this chapter of their theological education and ministry preparation. The service will feature a guest speaker, thoughtful reflections from faculty, hooding ceremony, scripture readings, and moments of sacred worship. Participation is strongly encouraged.
RSVP form will be sent to graduates. This event is not ticketed and there is no cost for admission. For questions or accommodation requests please contact Maria Gilluly at gilluly_maria@roberts.edu or 585.594.6807.
Nursing Post-Commencement Celebration
📅 Saturday, May 10, 2025
🕘 11am - 12:30pm
📍 Crothers Science & Nursing Center, Nursing Lounge (Room 108)
For RN to BS; MS, Nursing Education; MS, Nursing Leadership & Administration; MS, Family Nurse Practitioner; and Advanced Certificates: a post-Commencement gathering to celebrate the students' achievements with family, faculty and staff. Light refreshments will be served. Details to be sent via email invitation directly to students.
Contact: Gillian Buettner at buettner_gillian@roberts.edu
Teacher Education Come-and-Go Graduation Reception & Awards Ceremony
📅 Saturday, May 10, 2025
🕘 11:30am-1:00pm (in between the two commencement ceremonies)
📍 Golisano Community Engagement Center (GCEC) atrium.
Awards will be presented at 12:15pm.
Details will be sent via email invitation directly to students. RSVP to the email invitation by Tuesday, May 6, 2025 to Sarah George at george_sarah@roberts.edu
BioChem Department Come-and-Go Reception for TUG Graduates
📅 Saturday, May 10th
🕘 Immediately following the 2:00pm ceremony
📍 Tent at the end of the stadium field by the VAC
Rain Location: Crothers Science Lounge
Contact: Samantha Herbert at herbert_samantha@roberts.edu