May Commencement
Congratulations Class of 2025!
We’re excited to celebrate your graduation in May! This page is your one-stop shop to find information about your commencement ceremony. We’ll be making updates to the information listed as details become available.
Students will receive email updates for the most recent information about our May commencement.
*If you do not receive email communication about the 2025 May commencement, you may not be eligible at this time. Please check with your advisor on your eligibility status.
As you prepare for your visit to Portland, Maine for the commencement ceremony, take the time to get to know the details for when, where, and what to do during your stay.
Eligibility
All students—Associate, Baccalaureate, and Master’s—are eligible to walk during commencement after they meet all academic requirements for their degree OR are within six (6) hours of completing their degree. For more information about eligibility, refer to our university-wide Commencement Policy.
Don’t miss out on the festivities even if you are celebrating remotely!
May 2025 Commencement Speaker
Unity Environmental University is thrilled to announce that renowned astrophysicist and science communicator, Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, will deliver the keynote address at the University’s Spring Commencement ceremony.
“With this invitation from Unity Environmental University, I am reminded that some institutions of higher learning have taken the shepherding of our precious Earth seriously enough to embed it into everything they preach and everything they teach.” – Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson
Regalia Orders
The regalia ordering portal will be open from November 22nd, 2024 to April 20th, 2025. This is your opportunity to order regalia for commencement or to celebrate at home. To ensure that you have your regalia for May 2025 commencement, it’s crucial to place your order by April 20th to allow for timely delivery.
After the May 2025 Commencement ceremony, regalia orders will reopen from May 26th to June 6th for anyone who did not order before the ceremony. These will arrive around the end of July.
Event Information
When: Friday, May 23, 2025
Where: Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St, Portland, ME 04101
Time: 11am
RSVP to the Commencement Ceremony Opens: November 22, 2024
RSVP to the Commencement Ceremony Closes: April 20, 2025
Celebrate Your Unity Pride & Achievement
Alumni Tri-Blend Long Sleeve Tee
Alumni Tri-Blend Tee
Unity Environmental University Diploma Frame
Important To-Do List for May Graduates
Make sure to check in with your advisor to see if you’re eligible to graduate. If you apply and are not eligible you will not be able to participate in the ceremony.
Step 1 – Apply to Graduate & Pay Graduation Fee: In your student portal, you will apply to gradudate as well as paying the $100 graduation fee. Your name will not appear in the commencement program if you do not apply to graduate by April 20th. Please contact your advisor if you have any questions about the application
Applying to graduate is not the same as indicating that you are attending commencement, which you will do in Step 2.
Step 2 – RSVP & Reserve Guest Seats for Commencement: Once open, fill out the RSVP form to confirm that you are attending commencement, and also indicate the names of the guests you are bringing by April 20th.
Step 3: Order Regalia: Baccalaureate and master’s regalia orders must be placed online. Only students who have applied to graduate will be able to order regalia. The regalia ordering portal will be open from November 22nd, 2024 to April 20th, 2025. Please order before April 20th to ensure regalia arrives before Commencement.
Note: Please check your email for further instructions for ordering regalia.
Step 4: Check out the Unity Store! This is your one-stop shop for Unity Environmental University apparel and more. You can also order announcements and frames through Balfour!
Step 5: Tell your hometown newspaper you are graduating with this easy-to-use PDF template!
Diplomas, Transcripts, and Graduation
Participation in a commencement ceremony does not presume graduation from the University. Students who do not apply for graduation before the published deadline for any term must apply for graduation during the next term. Students who have applied for graduation but fail to meet the requirements must reapply for graduation by the published deadline for the term in which they will fulfill the requirements.
Note: Degree candidates will not earn degrees nor be graduated from the University until they have completed all degree requirements.
Plan Your Stay
Make the most of your visit by checking out the Fun Things To Do While Visiting Page for tours, local hotspots, food, and accommodations close to Commencement.
What to Do and Expect on the Day of Commencement
The ceremony will begin with a procession of all graduates followed by greetings and speeches, the conferring of degrees, the tassel-turning ceremony, and the recessional. The ceremony lasts around 2 hours.
Quick Facts
The event will be held on Friday May 23, 2025 at 11am, located at Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St, Portland, ME 04101.
More info will be provided soon regarding the opening time of the venue. The ceremony starts at 11am.
Seating is only available for graduates and their registered guests.
In an effort to reduce waste and support our mission of environmental sustainability, programs will be provided in a digital format on the day of commencement. Names of all May 2025 graduation candidates who have completed the application for degree, will be included in the program.
Only names of May 2025 graduation candidates who have completed the application for degree will be included in the program.
Please note that participation in the ceremony does not presume graduation from the University. Degrees are conferred only after all academic requirements are met and the Board of Trustees has taken official action. We congratulate you on your accomplishments and look forward to seeing you at the ceremony!
Unity Environmental University Closing Celebration
More information will be provided as we get closer to the event.
Checking In
More information regarding checking in will be provided as we get closer to the event.
Note: Masks are optional but encouraged for anybody who is unvaccinated.
For Graduates
Make sure to bring your regalia to commencement. Regalia is required to walk at commencement and must be ordered by April 20th.
Master’s degree recipients must bring their regalia and hood.
Honors and military cords will be distributed upon arrival.
Take a moment to sign the Green Pledge.
Make sure to check your email for information regarding instructions for the ceremony.
For All Registered Guests
All backpacks, bags, and purses will be subject to visual inspection upon entry to the venue. In order to speed entry into the event, please consider leaving any bags at home or in your vehicle.
Any items deemed inappropriate or disruptive by Unity Environmental University or Merrill Auditorium staff will not be allowed inside.
Animals are not permitted at Merrill Auditorium, with the exception of service animals.
What Can I Bring With Me?
Permitted Items
Cameras
Video recorders
Small handbags
Cell phones (set to silent)
Strollers that can be stowed at your seat
Umbrellas
Items to Leave at Home
Alcohol
Coolers
Backpacks
Large handbags
Metal folding seat cushions
Seats that clamp onto bleachers
Noise-making devices
Mace, pepper spray, aerosol cans or similar substances
Signs
Banners
Balloons
Sticks or poles
Weapons or items that mimic weapons
Any item deemed dangerous or inappropriate
Wrapped gifts or packages
Outside food
Accommodations
Restricted Mobility
Wheelchair accessible seating will be available to registered guests who require accommodations. Please make sure to request this accommodation when registering.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Reserved seating for guests who read American Sign Language will be available. Please make sure to request this accommodation when registering.
Parking
More parking information will be provided as we get closer to the event.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I watch if I can’t attend?
Throw a watch party from the comfort of your home! The ceremony will be live-streamed for those who cannot attend the in-person ceremony and want to watch it in real time!
How can I join in the celebration from home?
No matter where you are, we want to bring the celebration to you! Take and share photos your regalia to show off your achievement. Don’t forget to tag us and use the hashtag #UNITYGRAD2025 to join in on the online celebration! Use our Instagram AR filter to share your unique story and pride.
How can I contact Unity if I have other questions?
If you have any questions or would like to be featured in a social media spotlight congratulating our graduates, please reach out to events@unity.edu.
What is the COVID-19 Commencement Policy?
The health and safety is a top priority to Unity Environmental University. We strongly suggest all attendees be fully vaccinated including a recent booster. Each attendee should consider their personal health situation in deciding whether or not to attend commencement. We follow CDC safety guidelines and directives of the Governor of Maine. Graduates and guests should be aware that COVID-related safety concerns may cause commencement events to be updated, canceled, or rescheduled at any time.
Code of Conduct
All members of the Unity Environmental University student body must be responsible for their actions and make sure that these actions do not adversely affect other community members. The University has the authority and responsibility to establish rules and standards that may require academic, moral, and ethical behavior that is considered above the standards of society at large. The principal responsibility for proper conduct rests with students. They are encouraged to resolve conflicts of individual rights and responsibilities themselves. The University will become involved, however, when students cannot resolve conflicts themselves; when local, state, or federal laws have been broken; when there could be or there is a potential for personal harm or property damage; or when University regulations have been violated. Unity Environmental University requires students to obey local, state, and federal laws. The University also has regulations that it expects students to follow. Each student is expected to follow the Code of Conduct from acceptance to the University through graduation and commencement.
Celebrating Remotely?
Celebrate your achievements, even if you can’t join us in person for the May 2024 commencement in Portland, Maine! We’ve got you covered with digital swag to help you mark this momentous occasion. Use our Instagram AR filter to share your unique story and pride.
Looking for more ideas to make your celebration memorable? Dress up in your graduation regalia and host a party with your family and friends to make the day truly special.
Don’t forget to document your celebration and share it with us using #UnityGrad2025. Cheers to your achievements!
Invest in Tomorrow: Support Scholarships for a Greener Workforce and a Sustainable Future
Your generosity is critical to our mission to educate responsible citizens, environmental stewards, change-makers and visionary leaders. You can help create an inclusive sustainable future that serves diverse students and builds our global green workforce when you donate to Unity.
Our students are mission-driven champions of sustainability and climate adaptation. They contribute to preserving the world’s ecology, wildlife, clean energy, sustainable agriculture, green businesses, and bring sustainable practices to their employers.
Note: The information on this page is subject to change.
