23 Things for the Class of 2023 to Know Before Commencement
Graduation is just around the corner for Drexel University’s Class of 2023, with Commencement ceremonies taking place June 14–16. While graduating Dragons probably have a few more things on their minds than these 23 items, hopefully this list can serve as a helping hand to get ready for the big day.
You can find more detailed information on the Commencement website or check your email for updates on the multitude of celebrations coming up.
Also, make sure you plan ahead for traffic and detours and leave with plenty of time to spare if your route will be impacted by the I-95 collapse near the Cottman Avenue exit. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the City of Philadelphia are sharing updates and detours.
1. Where your ceremony is, and when
College and school individual ceremonies take place from June 14–16 at three different locations: the Academy of Music, the Mann Center and Mandell Theater in the Creese Student Center on the University City Campus. These 12 June ceremonies are spread out throughout each day, with the earliest starting at 8:30 a.m. and the latest starting at 5 p.m.
2. When the University-wide ceremony is
None of the school or college ceremonies will overlap with the University-wide ceremony, which is at 5 p.m. on June 16 — at Citizens Bank Park, of course. Take note that there are other non-University events happening that day, which will impact traffic and parking. You can park in limited capacity complimentary lots from 2–4 p.m., and the gates to Citizens Bank Park open at 3:30 p.m.
3. When you need to arrive at the ceremony
You’ll need to arrive no later than one hour before the ceremony starts, so for the University-wide ceremony, that means arriving at Citizens Bank Park by 3:45–4:15 p.m. You’ll report to the left field or first base gates.
4. About the Drexel Cap Contest
Throw your (carefully decorated) hat in the ring for a chance to win Drexel swag! Three lucky winners who post pictures of their decorated mortarboards to social media with the hashtags #ForeverDragons and #DrexelCapContest will win a bag of alumni swag. The contest ends June 9, so get to decorating!
5. Where to get your cap and gown
You should have a Drexel blue gown, mortarboard, tassel and hood, and you have to wear them to attend your commencement ceremony. The final deadline to order them from the University bookstore was May 18, but if you don’t have yours yet, contact the bookstore and they will help on a case-by-case basis.
6. What to do if you missed the Graduation Fair
If you don’t already have your tickets, act fast. The Graduation Fair was May 17, but you can still pick up tickets until June 9 in the Office of the Dean of Students in Room 220 in Main Building.
7. Who to call for help
Overwhelmed? Understandable. If you have questions or need help with commencement-related things, there are a few entities you can contact, including the bookstore, Office of the University Registrar, Office Financial Aid, Office of Alumni Relations and others.
8. Which side to move your tassel from
You walked across the stage — now what? For undergraduates getting their degrees, your cap’s tassel should start out on the right side and be moved to the left when it’s time. Students getting a master’s, doctorate or other advanced degree keep their tassel on the left and don’t move it.
9. Where the best photo spots on campus are
DrexelNow covered this last year, but a good photo spot doesn’t go out of style. The most iconic spot is, of course, the statue of Mario the Magnificent at 33rd and Market streets, but the Rush Alumni Garden, Drexel Park, Main Building and Gateway Garden are great spots too.
10. Where to take your parents for dinner after your ceremony
College and school ceremonies are in three locations: Mandell Theater, the Academy of Music and The Mann Center. Near the Mandell Theater, dinner options include Lascala’s Fire, CO-OP Restaurant and Bar, Louie Louie and plenty of others. The Academy of Music is just south of City Hall, so you’re not too far from Rittenhouse Square and restaurants like Parc, The Love. and Spice Finch, among others. As for The Mann Center, it’s located in West Fairmount Park, which doesn’t have much around for dinner, so you may be better off heading back to University City or Center City.
11. What Philly classics to visit one more time as a Dragon
If you’re heading out of Philadelphia after graduation, make time to say goodbye to the city with a few Philly classics. Revisit Old City and see Independence Hall, get a cheesesteak again, walk down Benjamin Franklin Parkway, grab a pretzel or burger or roast pork sandwich at Reading Terminal Market. Just make sure you take in the moment.
12. What Drexel things to do one more time
Create your own walk down memory lane and take a stroll around campus one more time once exams are finished. You might find that your old residence hall has a certain air of nostalgia, or that the building where you took the hardest class ever doesn’t look quite so evil anymore. You’re looking at everything through an (almost) alumnus’ eyes now!
13. When the Art Museum celebration is
From 4:30–8:30 p.m. on June 13 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, join your fellow class of 2023 graduates for the 2023 Graduation Celebration, which will feature Drexel President John Fry’s toast. The graduates will gather on the Rocky steps for a class photo before heading inside for dinner, drinks, music and access to exhibits.
14. Who’s speaking at your commencement ceremony
Every college has a different speaker for its ceremony, and several are Drexel alumni. DrexelNow published a list of every speaker with a short biography to tell you a bit about them, but don’t expect to hear each speaker recite their accomplishments. They’re there to uplift, inspire and celebrate the class of 2023.
15. Who’s speaking at the University-wide commencement ceremony
Yannick Nézet-Séguin is this year’s University-wide commencement speaker. He’s the internationally acclaimed music and artistic director of The Philadelphia Orchestra and will also receive an honorary degree from Drexel.
16. When you’ll get your diploma
The document folder you’re handed as you walk across the stage won’t contain your actual diploma — that will come in the mail later. The Drexel bookstore has diploma frames and holders to display the proof of your achievement, too.
17. How to get your graduation photos
After commencement, you’ll get an email from Grad Images with the link to purchase the photos from your college, school or University-wide ceremony, so make sure you don’t miss it.
18. Where to get a Drexel-themed drink
Stop by the Pret a Manger on campus from now until the end of June and pick up an iced tea with fresh blueberries! It’s called the Blue Dragon and Drexel students voted online to choose the official beverage of the Class of 2023.
19. How to get alumni benefits
Get your Alumni Card after graduation! If you’re sticking around Philadelphia, you can still get access to your old haunts at Drexel — namely, the library and gym. You can get a membership at the Drexel Recreation Center for $300 annually, and you must show your Alumni Card when you sign up. You can also still access the W. W. Hagerty Library and check out materials with an Alumni Card. You can also get access to memberships and discounts, including on insurance, as well as career services and continuing education as a Drexel alum.
20. How to add your college career to your résumé
Get that big accomplishment on your résumé and let it work for you! Update an “Education” section on your résumé with Drexel University, your school or college, the degree you obtained and the years you attended Drexel to obtain it, your major and any minors, your GPA if it’s relevant to your industry and any certificates, honors or achievements you earned during college.
21. How to rep Drexel off-campus
Stop by the Drexel bookstore and pick up some merch to rep your university as you head into the real world. Maybe even get an alumni T-shirt — you’ve earned it.
22. How to tap into alumni resources
Now you can tap into the wide world of Dragon alumni. You can join alumni groups based on your college or school, identity or shared interests, volunteer at alumni events and attend events and conversations. You can also join the Dragon Network, which is Drexel’s professional network for Dragon alumni and students and features career-based conversations and connections.
23. What to do with your robes after Commencement
Those robes and assorted regalia are yours now, so you don’t have to return them to Drexel, but what to do with them? You can save them as a keepsake and get them pressed in a shadowbox, but don’t feel bad about not keeping them around. You only graduate with this degree once!