Senior Celebration

The Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences (CICS) Senior Celebration is a ceremony held following Undergraduate Commencement, providing graduates the opportunity to be recognized individually by college faculty and administration. Each graduating student’s name is read prior to the presentation of a University of Massachusetts medal and a special farewell gift from the college. Graduates’ time on stage will be broadcast on large video screens and captured by a professional photographer.

We encourage seniors and their families to attend both the UMass Amherst Undergraduate Commencement and the CICS Senior Celebration being held on May 18, 2024.

The Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences Senior Celebration will be held at the Recreation Center's Upper Courts (second floor) on Saturday, May 18, 2024, starting at 2:00 p.m. Doors will open at 1:00 p.m.

Graduating seniors should arrive at the Recreation Center promptly at 1:00 p.m. and check-in in Room 118/121 on the lower level, street side of the building, just past the service desk.

To be eligible to participate in the May 2024 Commencement ceremony, students must have fulfilled all graduation requirements at the time of the ceremony or be scheduled to do so by September 2024.  Students scheduled for February 2025 graduation who wish to attend the May 2024 ceremony must file a “Petition to Participate in an Earlier Commencement” form by March 30, 2024. This form is not online and only available at the Registrar’s Office in 213 Whitmore. 

Graduating students are required to register to attend the Commencement Ceremony and the CICS Senior Celebration using Marching Order. Registering helps us track attendance and allows graduates to review their name pronunciation to ensure that it is read correctly. Students will receive a link from Marching Order that will give them options for the ceremonies they need to register for.

Students are required to verify the pronunciation of their names by April 20, 2024. The date to register to attend commencement ceremonies is May 13, 2024.

Due to venue capacity limitations, tickets will be required for entry to this year's celebration. Each graduating student will be allotted four (4) tickets for guests. Tickets will be distributed through the Mullins Center Box Office in March 2024—students will be notified via email when their tickets are available.  Guest tickets are transferrable online to another student by the graduating student who doesn't need them. 

For those who cannot attend in person, this year's celebration will be live-streamed and recorded for viewing after the event.  

The 2024 CICS Senior Celebration will be live-streamed beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 18. A recording of the event will be available after the ceremony.

Graduating students and faculty dress in commencement caps and gowns. Students must arrive in their caps and gowns—caps and gowns will not be available at the Recreation Center.

The Recreation Center is air-conditioned; however, it does get warm. Please dress comfortably.

Guest parking is available in the Campus Center Parking Garage and in lots adjacent to the Recreation Center and Mullins Center.

PayStation Lot 64, located adjacent to the Recreation Center, will be reserved for disabled patrons only.

The CICS Senior Celebration will be shown on large screens in the event venue and live captioned. Sign language or oral interpreters are available upon request. Call (413) 545-0892 or send an email to aduchon@admin.umass.edu using the subject line “Commencement Interpreter Request.” 

Handicapped parking is available in the PayStation Lot 64; turn off Commonwealth Avenue to Hicks Way then take two left turns to circle around the Parks Band Building. Park in the lot just beyond the Northeast corner of the Recreation Center.  Elevator access is available in the Recreation Center for guests with mobility issues.

es! However, we ask that all audience members be courteous to each other and refrain from blocking the aisles. There will be professional photographers on hand to take photos of each graduate as they receive their medal and informal shots of graduates and families.  The photography company will be in touch with the graduates soon after the ceremony to review and order their official Senior Celebration photo.

Food will not be served at the Senior Celebration. Check the Commencement 2024 website to learn more about dining options during Commencement weekend.  

Manning CICS seniors are recognized with a graduation cord to wear at commencement upon a $5 minimum donation or more to the CICS Senior Gift Campaign. Visit UMass Amherst Foundation | Manning CICS Class of 2024 Senior Gift Campaign to learn more. Students will be able to pick up their cords at the Commencement Fair on May 8, during tabling events at the LGRC Lowrise lobby on May 9 and 10 from 12 – 3 p.m., or by contacting Corinne Briggs at cbriggs@uma-foundation.org.