2025 Spring Commencement
Saturday, May 10, 2025 at the Wildcat Field House
- 10 a.m. | College of Engineering Commencement
- 2 p.m. | College of Arts & Sciences, College of Business, and College of Health Sciences Commencement
- WATCH | Live Stream Link
Speakers
These vibrant speakers will provide valuable insight and inspiration as we celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates.
Dr. Guru Madhavan
Norman R. Augustine Senior Scholar & Senior Director of Programs
U.S. National Academy of Engineering
Dr. Guru Madhavan, a renowned biomedical systems engineer and author, is the Norman R. Augustine Senior Scholar and Senior Director of Programs at the National Academy of Engineering. He founded the Forum on Complex Unifiable Systems (FOCUS) program and has advised the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the European Union Malaria Fund. Previously, he contributed to developing surgical catheters for cardiac ablation and neuromuscular stimulators to improve blood circulation.
Dr. Madhavan holds an M.S. and Ph.D. in biomedical engineering and an M.B.A. from the State University of New York, which honored him with the Edward Weisband Distinguished Alumni Award. His numerous accolades include the ASME Gantt Medal and IEEE Norbert Wiener Award. A fellow of organizations such as AAAS and ASME, he is a former IEEE-USA vice president and the author of Applied Minds: How Engineers Think, widely translated and celebrated for its insights into engineering.
Dr. Maria Kontaridis
Executive Director
Gordon K. Moe Professor and Chair Biomedical Research and Translational Medicine / Director of Research
Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI)
Dr. Maria Irene Kontaridis is the Executive Director and Director of Research at the Masonic Medical Research Institute in Utica, NY, where she leads efforts in basic biomedical and clinical research to uncover molecular mechanisms of disease and develop future treatments. The institute also provides education and training for scientists and researchers worldwide. She holds a part-time faculty position as Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
Dr. Kontaridis earned dual undergraduate degrees in Classics and Chemistry from the University of Florida and received master’s degrees and a Ph.D. in Biomedical and Biological Sciences from Yale University, where her research focused on protein tyrosine phosphatases in cell growth and skeletal muscle differentiation. Her research program investigates congenital heart disease and heart failure, funded by NIH and foundations like the Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation. A Fellow of the American Heart Association, she has held key leadership roles, including chairing AHA’s Early Career Councils and Harvard Medical School’s Joint Committee on the Status of Women.
Checklist for Graduates
The SUNY Poly community is excited to celebrate you and your fellow graduates on May 10.
Below is a list of tasks that should be completed in preparation for commencement:
Apply to graduate through the Registrar's Office as soon as possible to be reviewed for degree clearance if you have not done so already. Submit your application now
- RSVP for commencement if you plan to attend in person. You must RSVP to attend. August 2023 and December 2023 grads are welcome (and encouraged!) to walk in this ceremony.
- Order cap, gown, and other regalia by March 7. Payment is not due until pickup at the Wildcat Den. You will be notified by email when orders are ready. Online only students may order regalia to be shipped to their home, with payment at the time of order. No orders can be placed after March 7, but some in-stock regalia may be available after that time.
- Regalia Ordering will be open at the end of January.
Share commencement details with family and friends.
Complete the First Destinations/Graduate Survey. This survey helps us to know how we can best serve our students and alumni in the future.
Coming on April 17
Update your contact info to stay connected and ensure you don't miss career, networking, and social opportunities.
Review the Commencement FAQ section below. Still have a question? Email commencement@sunypoly.edu.
Celebrate this accomplishment at pre-commencement events.
Commencement Info for Faculty & Staff
Thank you for supporting our graduates as we celebrate this important achievement! Your presence is especially meaningful to our students. There are just two steps you need to take in preparation for commencement:
RSVP
Let the team know you’re planning to participation in the Commencement Procession by filling out this RSVP form.
Order Regalia (if needed)
To rent or purchase regalia, fill out the appropriate forms (Bachelor's/Master's or Doctorate) and return to wildcatden@sunypoly.edu by March 7.
Volunteers Needed
Please consider supporting our students by volunteering to help on Commencement Day. To sign up, fill out this brief form.
Thank you again for being a part of this significant milestone!
Frequently Asked Questions
We’re so glad you are interested in learning more about SUNY Poly’s Commencement, our most important community tradition. Below are the questions most frequently asked by students, families, and friends. If you have additional questions, don’t hesitate to reach out at commencement@sunypoly.edu.
All family members and friends of our graduates are welcome and encouraged to attend. A ticket is not required for attendance. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Graduates participating in the ceremony should arrive at Donovan Hall ground floor G172 no later than 9 a.m. for the 10 a.m. ceremony and 1 p.m. for the 2 p.m. ceremony.
Yes! Flowers and Official Class of 2024 t-shirts can be conveniently purchased through this storefront page. They can be picked up at our booth outside the Wildcat Field House prior to the graduation ceremony.
There are two ceremonies being held on May 4: one at 10 a.m. for the College of Engineering and one at 2 p.m. for the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Business, and the College of Health Sciences. Each ceremony is expected to last for about 1 and a half hours.
A SUNY Poly campus map is here, which shows options for parking. The "P Lot" is reserved for accessible parking only.
Yes! HRI-Cart (Live-Captioning) or ASL interpreting will be provided during the event.
A “drop off” zone in close proximity to the Field House entrance from Wildcat Drive will provide close access for guests with limited mobility and/or require short walking distances. Note: this zone is drop-off only.
Accessible parking in the “P” lot accessed from Wildcat Drive or Hilltop Drive will be reserved for those with limited mobility. This park-to-entrance distance is longer than the drop-off zone and requires guests to use the elevator/stairs to the first floor, where seating is organized.
Accessible seating can be found inside near the drop-off zone. While seating is reserved with signage, it is limited. Please arrive early to ensure accessible seating.
If you require other accommodations or have questions, please connect with our Student Accessibility Services staff at sas@sunypoly.edu or call (315) 792-7170.
Here is a collection of local accommodations, provided by Oneida County Travel and Tourism.
To find an appropriate dining option, we recommend you utilize Oneida County Travel and Tourism’s Restaurant Finder.
Decorate your commencement regalia with specific adornments signifying your achievement and/or contribution to the university. All requests must be submitted for approval.
Business casual attire is recommended. Students will also wear regalia.
Bags are permitted inside the Wildcat Field House. However, Campus Police reserves the right to check any bag at any time.
A livestream link to view the ceremony will be provided on the SUNY Poly website before commencement.
Graduates, friends, and family are encouraged to use the hashtags #SUNYPolyGrad and #SUNYPoly2024 on social media. We will be sharing content during and after our commencement ceremonies on SUNY Poly’s official social media channels.
Celebrate Commencement on social media.
Graduates, friends and family are encouraged tag official SUNY Poly social media accounts and use the hashtags #SUNYPolyGrad , #SUNYPoly2024 and #SUNYPoly on social media. The university’s social media team will be sharing content during and after our commencement ceremonies on SUNY Poly’s official social media channels.
Individuals will have the opportunity to share a message on our social media wall that will be displayed during our commencement ceremonies on May 4. Individuals can submit a congratulatory message and/or photo starting May 3.
- Use #sunypolygrad or #sunypoly2024 on Twitter or Instagram
- Text a message and/or photo (no video) to (315) 860-8437
- Send an email to sunypoly@post.everwall.com
- Write your message in body of the email (text in subject line will be ignored)
- Attach photos to email (Attached images can be in JPG, PNG, BMP, or GIF format, and should be under 8mb.)
Question? Contact socialmedia@sunypoly.edu
Questions can be emailed to commencement@sunypoly.edu.
