Media advisory: Princeton Commencement to be held June 5

Members of the news media who wish to attend any of Princeton University's 2007 graduation ceremonies Sunday through Tuesday, June 3-5, must contact the University's Office of Communications no later than noon Tuesday, May 29, to request credentials.

Seating for media is not guaranteed for any event; however, each ceremony will be simulcast live and accessible to the public.

The class of 2007 will have its Baccalaureate on Sunday, June 3, Class Day on Monday, June 4, and Commencement on Tuesday, June 5.

Media credentials for all events will be available for distribution from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, May 30 to June 1, in the communications office at 22 Chambers St., Suite 201, Princeton. Journalists must pre-register for each event and receive advance confirmation of attendance because seating is limited.

Confirmed journalists who do not pick up credentials on the assigned dates will not be allowed entry to Baccalaureate on Sunday, Class Day on Monday or Commencement on Tuesday. Reserved seating will be available only for journalists who have registered in advance.

To request credentials for Baccalaureate, Class Day or Commencement, contact Liz Patten at (609) 258-3601, or e-mail commpro@princeton.edu, and provide phone and e-mail contact information, in addition to specifying the event(s) for which credentials are being requested.

Below is a summary of the graduation events leading up to and including Princeton's 260th Commencement. For more information, visit the Commencement Web site. 

  • The Baccalaureate service will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday in the University Chapel. The speaker will be John Fleming, Princeton's Louis W. Fairchild '24 Professor of English and Comparative Literature Emeritus. Advance registration and advance pick-up of credentials is required. Media seating is in front of a large simulcast screen outside the Chapel, where inside seating is reserved for students and the faculty procession. The service also will be Webcast live at http://www.princeton.edu/WebMedia/.
  • The Class Day ceremony for seniors is set for 10:30 a.m. Monday on Cannon Green (Jadwin Gym in case of severe weather). The speaker will be Bradley Whitford, the Emmy Award-winning actor from NBC's "The West Wing." Advance registration and advance pick-up of credentials is required for on-site media seating (reporters who wish to forgo registration can view the event at the various simulcast locations). The event also will be Webcast live at http://www.princeton.edu/WebMedia/.
  • The Hooding ceremony for advanced degree candidates will begin at 5 p.m. Monday in McCarter Theatre. Princeton President Shirley M. Tilghman and Graduate School Dean William Russel will preside. The Hooding ceremony requires a special credential. Media wishing to attend should specify their intent.
  • The Commencement program begins with the academic procession at 10:20 a.m. Tuesday on the front campus on Nassau Street. Members of the media must be seated by 10:15 a.m. The University's 260th Commencement ceremony is slated for 11 a.m. on the lawn in front of Nassau Hall (Jadwin Gym in case of severe weather). Princeton President Shirley M. Tilghman will preside over the event and address the graduates. Several honorary degrees traditionally are conferred, but names are not announced until that day. Advance registration and advance pick-up of credentials is required. The event also will be Webcast live at http://www.princeton.edu/WebMedia/.


Journalists will receive confirmation and further instructions prior to the events. Photos will be made available to media online following Baccalaureate because photographic access will be limited.

The Baccalaureate service will be simulcast on a screen outside of the chapel, as well as in Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall; McCosh 10 and 50; McCormick 101; and Betts Auditorium, School of Architecture. Tickets are required at the simulcast sites.

The Hooding ceremony will be simulcast in Dodds Auditorium, Robertson Hall, and in Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall. Tickets are required at the simulcast sites.

Class Day will be simulcast in McCosh 10 and 50, and Commencement will be simulcast in Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall. No tickets will be required at these simulcast sites.

The Baccalaureate, Hooding, Class Day and Commencement ceremonies will be broadcast live on TigerNet Channel 7 on campus and on Channel 27 on Princeton cable television. They also will be Webcast live at http://www.princeton.edu/WebMedia/ and archived online for later viewing.