Due to inclement weather, William Paterson University has rescheduled its 2026 Graduate Commencement ceremonies from Wednesday, May 20, to the university’s announced rain date of Thursday, May 21.
The ceremonies will still take place at Wightman Stadium on campus and will follow the same schedule previously announced by the university.
The morning commencement ceremony, featuring graduates from the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Science and Health, is scheduled for 10:00 a.m.
Graduates are expected to arrive by 8:30 a.m., while the stadium will open to guests at 9:00 a.m.
Later in the day, graduates from the Cotsakos College of Business and the College of Education will participate in the evening ceremony beginning at 5:00 p.m.
Graduates are scheduled to arrive by 3:30 p.m., with guest entry beginning at 4:00 p.m.
The ceremonies are expected to celebrate thousands of graduate students completing their degrees across multiple academic disciplines. According to university enrollment figures, William Paterson enrolls approximately 3,295 graduate students, accounting for a significant portion of the university’s overall student population of roughly 9,942 students.
The commencement ceremonies mark one of the university’s largest annual academic celebrations. Bringing together graduates, faculty, family members, and supporters at the close of the academic year.
