What is the difference between Commencement and Convocation?

Commencement is the NYU-wide ceremony held in honor of the completion and/or in anticipation of your fulfilling all academic requirements at the University. The ceremony, held annually at Yankee Stadium, includes a presidential address, a student speaker, the awarding of honorary degrees to a number of distinguished individuals, and the conferring of degrees/certificates by the president of the University. The program concludes with the ceremonial passing of the University torch. Because over 5,000 students are expected to attend, it is not possible to recognize each individual by name. Instead, the deans introduce each class as a whole and a representative selected in advance receives a symbolic diploma for degree categories.

Convocation is the NYU Wagner ceremony that celebrates the achievements of NYU Wagner’s graduating students. Convocation includes a featured speaker and individual recognition of each student who has conferred a degree. In addition, doctoral students are hooded at convocation and students who receive other awards are recognized.