Delaware Law Commencement

The 2025 Spring Commencement ceremony for Delaware Law graduates will be held on Friday, May 16 at 3 p.m. on Widener University's Chester campus under a tent on Memorial Field. For additional details about the ceremony, visit the Commencement page on the Widener University website. The event will be livestreamed, which can be accessed at widener.edu/watchcommencement.

Hooding Ceremony

Delaware Law School wiill be holding a separate Hooding Ceremony on the Delaware Law School campus on Thursday, May 15th. Additional details are provided in the frequently asked questions below.

What is a Hooding Ceremony, and how will ours work?

• A hooding ceremony is an event held at some schools for masters and doctoral-level graduates, including Juris Doctor students. The ceremony is typically held in addition to the regular Commencement ceremony. Our ceremony will be in addition to the Commencement ceremony being held on May 16th. Student leaders suggested we hold a hooding ceremony this year to allow the class to be together one last time on the Delaware campus to celebrate graduation.
• Our Hooding Ceremony will include:
  • speaker remarks, including the faculty member of the year and a student speaker, as voted by the graduating class;
  • special musical and poem performances by graduates; and
  • each student having their regalia hood placed over their head by a faculty member or dean.
  • All students will be photographed after being hooded.
  • Once all students are hooded, we will have a reception in the Atrium area.

Is attendance at this event required?

• This is an optional event, but we do hope that you will attend if you’re able! If you have not done so already, please RSVP here by Monday, May 5th, via this poll.

When and where will the ceremony be held?

• The ceremony will begin at 12 noon in the Vale Courtroom, followed by a reception in the Atrium. We ask that all students arrive in the Vale by 11:50 am. The reception will conclude at 1:30 pm.

What is the dress code?

• The dress code is business professional. Bring your purple regalia hood with you but do not put it on - you’ll be handing this to the professor or dean when you’re hooded.

May we invite guests?

• This ceremony is for members of the Class of 2025 only. Guests are of course welcome at the Commencement ceremony the following day.

Download the Hooding Ceremony FAQ (pdf)