Spring 2025 Commencement

Commencement Location: 

Historic Charles Ringling Mansion 
College Hall Bayfront
351 College Drive
Sarasota, Florida 34243

Schedule of Important Events:

Thursday, May 22nd

12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Graduate Luncheon with Family and Faculty – College Hall Lobby (Invite Only)

Friday, May 23rd

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Breakfast for Graduates – College Hall First Floor (Graduates Invite Only)

9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Graduation Rehearsal – College Hall Bayfront/Music Room (Graduates Invite Only)

10:30 a.m. Regalia Pick-Up – College Hall Music Room (Graduates Only)

3:00 p.m. – Commencement Seating Opens (Tickets Only)

3:30 p.m. Graduates Arrive Pre-Commencement – College Hall Music Room (Graduates Invite Only)

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Commencement Ceremony – College Hall Bayfront (Tickets Only)

7:00 p.m. – Reception for Graduates Following Ceremony – College Hall Bayfront/ Robertson Park (Tickets only)

Electronic tickets will be required for attending New College’s graduation on the Bayfront.  Five tickets will be offered per graduate. More information on tickets coming soon.

Regalia (cap, gown, and tassel)

Regalia (caps, gowns and tassels) are available to each graduate for no cost. Regalia will be delivered to the College Hall Music Room where they will be steamed and ready for pick-up at rehearsal the morning
of graduation.

Commencement Announcements

This year graduates have the ability to order custom New College of Florida announcements by visiting http://www.herffjones.com/college/graduation.

Parking and Building Entry 

• Graduates will have two options for parking.
  • 1.) Graduates can park in the Sudakoff Conference Center (5845 General Dougher Pl, Sarasota, FL 34243) parking lot and an air conditioned trolley will pick you up to bring you to the Bayfront starting at 3:00 p.m.
  • 2.) Graduates can ride with their families and park in the Asolo/Ringling parking area and ride the trolley to the Bayfront starting at 3:00 p.m. Please see the map for more details. 
• Parking permits are not required for Commencement and parking is free for our ceremonies. Follow all road directional signs and instructions from the Campus Police Officers – they will guide you to the appropriate location. 
• The ceremony is held at the Historic Charles Ringling Mansion College Hall Bayfront. Doors open 2 hours prior to the ceremony.  
• All persons entering the Bayfront, including graduates, are subject to bag check and metal detector screening.
• All graduates must enter through the main entrance and present their stage pass. Once inside, students will be directed to the Music Room inside College Hall to wait for the ceremony to begin. Please see map below for additional information.
• Once the ceremony begins all bachelor’s and master’s students will then proceed down to the front of the tent. Students will be seated alphabetically by last name in the order you practiced during rehearsal. 

Parking and Trolley Map 

Open Parking and Trolley Map

Guest Tickets and Seating Information

• Tickets are required for family/friends.
• Accessible seating is available in the Bayfront tent for those with mobility devices and those with limited mobility. This seating is available on a first come, first served basis and cannot be reserved in advance.

Ceremony Information

• Only graduates and Commencement staff/volunteers are permitted in graduate areas.
• Students who choose to participate in Commencement are encouraged to wear official NCF regalia while crossing the stage. Graduates are encouraged to wear business casual attire under their regalia. NCF regalia is institutionally-recognized cap, gown, tassel, and hood. 
• Commencement is a time for you and your fellow graduates to celebrate your achievements. Please be aware the NCF Student Code of Conduct remains in effect at the ceremony and inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated as we do not want to distract from other graduates and their own celebration. Any person in violation of the Code of Conduct and/or who disrupts, distracts, or otherwise interferes with the ceremony will be subject to removal from the Bayfront tent and the ceremony. 
• By attending Commencement, graduates’ consent to being photographed and to the recording of and use of their name, voice and likeness by NCF and its licensees for advertising, publicity and any other purposes in any and all media in perpetuity and without any right of approval. If graduates do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please do not attend.
• The national anthem will be performed at the beginning of the ceremony—we ask that all graduates who are able please remove your cap for the duration of the song.
• Graduates will have formal photos taken after they cross the stage by Wagner Visuals. Proofs will be emailed a few days after Commencement which will be available for purchase.
• The ceremony is expected to last approximately 2 hours. Students are not allowed to leave early and for the consideration of others, we ask that guests stay the entire duration as well. 
• Once the ceremony has concluded, all graduates will be directed out of the tent towards Robertson Park for the Graduation Reception — please inform your family/friends of this to make for an easier reunification process.
• Academic regalia is encouraged to participate in Commencement. Formal military uniforms may be worn in lieu of academic regalia.
• Our ceremony will be livestreamed from the university’s YouTube channel. Students must attend the ceremony in order for their name to be announced.
• Diplomas are not handed out at Commencement—students will be mailed their diplomas approximately six to eight weeks after the end of the semester. Questions about diplomas should be directed to the Registrar’s Office.

Venue Information

To help ensure your safety, NCF ceremony has strict security measures designed to help all guests have a safe and enjoyable experience while attending an event. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.  Your safety is always the first concern.

Bag Searches:
Personal bags must be smaller that 12″ x 12″ x 12″. These are subject to search upon entry. Backpacks are not permitted (parenting/diaper bags and medical bags are permissible). 

Prohibited Items and Policies

Banners and Signs:
Signs are not permitted. 

Bottles/Containers and Food:
Guests are not permitted to bring outside bottles or containers inside the Bayfront tent.

The following items are prohibited and guests may dispose of the unauthorized items prior to entering
the facility:

• Breakable Vases
• Coolers
• Flags
• Helium Balloons
• Large Bags
• Laser Pointers
• Long Chains/Sharp Spikes
• Noise Makers/Air Horns
• Offensive Banners/Posters
• Pepper Spray or Mace
• Skateboards
• Sticks or Poles of any kind
• Suitcases
• Tripods
• Wallet Chains
• Weapons of any kind
• Wrapped Gifts

Guests with specific dietary needs due to medical conditions or religious requirements should contact [email protected], and we are happy to accommodate.

Re-Entry

• If you must exit the ceremony, re-entry is allowed. Your ticket must be rescanned and you must go through security before re-entering the Bayfront.

Dress Code

• The suggested dress code for guests is business casual. 

Accessibility Accommodations

• Graduates who require accommodations for commencement due to a disability should contact the NCF Accessible Learning Center (ALC) at 941-487-4484 or via email at [email protected] by May 1st.

Welcome Families, Friends and Guests! We know this is an exciting time for you and your graduate of New College of Florida. To help you prepare for your ceremony experience, please review the following information.

Directions and Parking

For GPS please use the physical address of the Historic Charles Ringling Mansion: 

College Hall Bayfront,
351 College Drive
Sarasota, Florida 34243

There is no cost for parking and parking permits are not required during the commencement ceremony.

Parking and Trolley Map

Open Parking and Trolley Map

Ceremony Information

New College’s commencement ceremony is held at the Historic Charles Ringling Mansion College Hall Bayfront 351 College Drive Sarasota, Florida 34243. Doors open 2 hours prior to the start of the undergraduate and master’s ceremony. All persons entering the Bayfront, including graduates, are subject to bag check and metal detector screening. Seating is first come, first served and tickets are required. Seat saving is not allowed.

• There will be one entry point for graduates and guests on the south side of College Hall. See map. 
• Graduates will have formal photos taken after they cross the stage by Wagner Visuals; graduates will be emailed proofs a few days after Commencement which are available for purchase.
• The ceremony is expected to last approximately 2 hours. Students are not allowed to leave early and for the consideration of others, we ask that guests stay the entire duration, as well. 
• Once the ceremony has concluded all graduates will be directed out of the tent towards Robertson park for the graduation reception—inform your family/friends of this to make for an easier reunification process.
• Academic regalia is encouraged to participate in Commencement. Formal military uniforms may be worn in lieu of academic regalia.
• Our ceremonies will be livestreamed from the university’s YouTube channel. Students must attend the ceremony in order for their name to be announced.
• Diplomas are not handed out at Commencement—students will be mailed their diplomas approximately six to eight weeks after the end of the semester. Questions about diplomas should be directed to the Registrar’s Office.

Venue Information

To help ensure your safety, NCF Ceremony has strict security measures designed to help all guests have a safe and enjoyable experience while attending an event. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.  Your safety is always the first concern.

Bag Searches:
Personal bags must be smaller that 12x12x12″. These are subject to search upon entry. Backpacks are not permitted (parenting/diaper bags and medical bags are permissible). 

Prohibited Items and Policies

Banners and Signs:
Signs are not permitted. 

Bottles/Containers, Food:
Guests are not permitted to bring outside bottles or containers inside the bayfront tent.

Guests may not bring food and/or beverages into the bayfront tent. Guests may dispose of the unauthorized items prior to entering the facility:

• Breakable vases
• Coolers
• Flags
• Helium Balloons
• Large Bags
• Laser Pointers
• Long Chains/Sharp Spikes
• Noise Makers/Air Horns
• Offensive Banners/Posters
• Pepper Spray or Mace
• Skateboards
• Sticks or Poles of any kind
• Suitcases
• Tripods
• Wallet chains
• Weapons of any kind
• Wrapped gifts

Guests with specific dietary needs due to medical conditions or religious requirements should contact the [email protected], and we are happy to accommodate.

Re-Entry

If something is forgotten re-entry is allowed, but your ticket must be rescanned and go back through security before entering the bayfront tent. 

Dress Code

The suggested dress code for guests is business casual. 

Accessibility

Accessible Parking

There will be parking spaces near College Hall specifically for guests with disabilities. These spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis and require a valid license plate or window tag.

Accessible Seating

Seating for guests with disabilities is not assigned in advance. When you arrive, just let the staff know, and they’ll be happy to help you find a seat that works for you.  Requests are available for one companion per ADA guest.

American Sign Language Interpreter 

A sign language interpreter will be available during the graduation ceremony. If you have any other accessibility needs, please reach out to the Accessible Learning Center at [email protected].

Service Animals

Only service animals are permitted during the graduation ceremony.  Since the event will be outdoors, please be sure to clean up after your animal.

Coming soon!