We’ll be celebrating our December ’25 graduates on Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 10 a.m. – noon EST, in Barton Hall.University faculty are invited to attend the December Recognition Ceremony. Faculty may participate in the formal procession, wearing academic regalia.
Faculty may wear their own regalia or borrow at no cost. A borrowed (rental) outfit includes a black robe, Cornell PhD hood, and one-size-fits-all soft tam with a gold tassel.
To Borrow
If you missed the Nov. 16th pre-ordering deadline, go to the Store to obtain an outfit as a “walk-in”.
Sizes are not guaranteed but an outfit will be provided.
Refer to “Pick Up” section below for dates and times.
Distribution is at The Store to pick up an outfit December 18-20, when the vendor brings all regalia for students and faculty to the Store.
Review the Pick Up at Store section below.
All borrowed items must be returned to Barton Hall by 1 p.m., immediately following the event.
To Purchase Custom Cap & Gown
Faculty wanting to purchase custom regalia items specific to their personal degree and alma mater may order with Herff Jones directly. Regalia purchases are personal transactions and separate from rental instructions shown above. Custom regalia needs to be ordered 5-8 weeks in advance, so be sure to inquire with the company and plan accordingly.
All pre-ordered and walk-in orders for Faculty are distributed on campus, the week of the ceremony at: The Cornell Store, lower level
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Friday, December 19, 2025
Saturday, December 20, 2025
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., daily
Sunday, December 21, 2025 Barton Hall before the ceremony 8:30-10:00 a.m.
The following schedule and instructions are for participating faculty marching in the procession, wearing regalia, and guided to a seating area by the stage.
Schedule for Participating Faculty
Sunday
Schedule for Participating Faculty
9:30 a.m.
Faculty arrive in Barton Hall
9:45 a.m.
Line up at “Faculty” sign for the procession
10:00 a.m.
Ceremony begins with procession
Noon
Event ends. Return regalia in Barton Hall, by 1 pm
The ceremony will be canceled if Tompkins County roads are CLOSED due to the weather. If canceled, it will not be rescheduled. See: university operating status
If the weather is questionable, plan to check your text messages that morning for information about whether the event is cancelled or not. December graduates are invited to participate in the upcoming May Commencement, regardless of cancellation or attendance in December.
