Alder Commencement 2025
Save the Date!
We are excited to celebrate the Class of 2025 and all you have achieved. See below for details for each of our ceremonies. Bookmark this page for up-to-date information.
Ceremony Details
Northern California Commencement
- Location: Cal State East Bay, Pioneer Amphitheater – Hayward, CA
- Date: Saturday, May 31st, 2025
- Time: 2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.
- Keynote: Dr. Miyoshi Juergensen
Southern California Commencement
- Location: Whittier College, The Upper Quad – Whittier, CA
- Date: Sunday, June 1st, 2025
- Time: 2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.
- Keynote: Dr. Miyoshi Juergensen
General FAQ
How many guests can each graduate bring? In order to accommodate all our graduates’ friends, families, and colleagues, graduates are limited to a maximum of 10 guests.
Are the ceremonies indoors or outdoors? In order to accommodate as many guests as possible, our ceremonies will be held outdoors. Please do keep in mind that our ceremonies are in May and June when temperatures start to rise in California. As the Commencement Weekend approaches, we encourage you to monitor the temperature to ensure that attendance is in the best interest of your guests’ health and safety.
Can guests bring balloons or signs? We know family and friends are excited to celebrate their graduate. All signs, banners, balloons, and anything blocking other guests’ view of the stage are not allowed to ensure all guests have an unobstructed view of the stage so they have the opportunity to witness their graduate crossing the stage. Please also note, anything making excessive noise including airhorns and drones are prohibited by our venues.
Can graduates decorate their caps or wear a cultural stole? We love seeing our graduates’ creativity shine through cap decorations & stoles representing their culture or organizations close to their hearts. If a cap is borrowed from Alder, please be sure decorations are easily removable.
Will there be accessible seating and accommodations at the venues? Alder is actively working with our venues and vendors to provide accessible seating for those who need it.
Regalia FAQ
What do I wear for commencement? For the commencement ceremony graduates will wear a black Master’s gown, a black mortar board cap, a Master’s hood in Alder colors (purple and green with light blue for education), and a Class of 2025 light blue tassel.
Where can I buy regalia?
- To buy: Visit Balfour Regalia Ordering. The site also includes custom and cultural stoles and other items you may want to celebrate your graduation. If you have any questions about purchasing regalia, you can contact Balfour directly at @ 1-800-683-4771 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (CST), Monday-Friday or email them @ customer_service@buildagrad.com. While the order form suggests you must order by late April, we highly recommend that you get your order in earlier, by early March at the latest.
- Note: You are welcome to use your own regalia from past graduations or to borrow any of these items from friends, family or colleagues.