
General Information for Commencement 2025
Fuller Theological Seminary’s 76th Commencement ceremony is currently scheduled for Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 10:00 am (PT). Hooding ceremonies will take place in person on the Pasadena campus during the week before Commencement. Details about doctoral hoodings, graduation banquets, and other events will be added below as they are confirmed.
For questions, please contact the Registrar's Office.
Family and friends of graduating students who are not able to attend in person can watch the Commencement livestream at fuller.edu/watch.
As there is no rehearsal for Commencement, it is imperative that all graduates are present for final instructions promptly at 8:30 am in the student lineup area. Late arrivals may pick up regalia at that time. The ceremony will begin at 10:00 am and is expected to last until approximately 12:30 pm.
Graduates, visit the Alumni Relations table after Commencement to update your contact info and join the Fuller Alumni Network.
Information about doctoral hoodings, graduation banquets, and any other events will be found below as it is finalized. Hooding ceremonies will take place in person on the Pasadena campus during the week before Commencement.
COVID RESTRICTIONS: For graduates and their guests, masks are strongly encouraged and deeply appreciated, but not required. Proof of vaccination will not be required. Masks will be made available at the venue.
Change of Plans or Requests for Accommodation
- Commencement Disability Service Request if you or your guests need accommodation at the service.
- Change of Plans: Not Attending if you are certain you will not attend.
- Commencement Photo/Video Opt-Out if you need to be certain you do not appear in photos or video.
Tickets/Family Early Admission Passes
No ticket will be required at any time to enter the ceremony; there will be seating for all graduates’ invited family and guests. Given the size of the venue, no family members will need early admission passes. All seating will be available to all guests when the doors open.
Families and friends not able to attend can visit fuller.edu/watch to enjoy a livestream of the Commencement ceremony
Regalia, Announcements, and Memorabilia
ACADEMIC REGALIA
Fuller lends regalia free of charge to all graduates, for all events during the Commencement season, including for doctoral hoodings and the ceremony itself. Please do not rent or purchase your own regalia; this is the only regalia that may be worn for Commencement events. It will be collected after the season is concluded and returned to Herff-Jones for cleaning and storage. (If you need to purchase custom-made regalia for purposes and events other than Fuller’s Commencement season, request an information sheet from the Registrar's office.)
Regalia Distribution
We expect to distribute regalia at Payton Hall, 135 N Oakland Ave, on the following days:
TENTATIVE 2025 Regalia Distribution
Day ........................ Hours
Monday, June 2 ......... 11:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 3 ......... 11:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 4 .... 11:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 5 ....... 11:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 7 ......... 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Monday, June 9 ......... 11:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 12 ....... 11:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Friday, June 13 ............... 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
All doctoral hoodings take place Friday
Saturday, June 14 ..... 8:30 a.m. Distribution at Lake Ave Church
You will have an opportunity at pick up to try on your regalia to ensure a proper fit and make needed adjustments. Please make every effort to get your regalia early, especially if you want to schedule formal portraits. (Regalia will be available the morning of the ceremony for last-minute arrivals.)
DIPLOMA FRAMES
Customized diploma frames can be purchased online at any time from Herff-Jones.
FLOWERS
Flowers, leis, or bouquets are available for pre-order from The Commencement Group.
GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENTS
Plain or customized graduation announcements can be purchased online at any time from Herff-Jones.
PHOTOS
GradImages is providing professional photography at Commencement. Photos of graduates and the President will be taken as graduates cross the stage. Additional photos are taken backstage with the diploma cover. GradImages will contact graduates directly after the ceremony to provide an opportunity to purchase copies of these photos. Shortly after the ceremony, the images will be available on the GradImages website.
RINGS
Fuller class rings with the official Fuller Theological Seminary seal are available for purchase online from Herff-Jones.
REGIONAL CAMPUS IN-PERSON EVENTS
Arizona Campus
Place and time to be determined
Questions? Contact Naomi McDonald
TEXAS CAMPUS
Place and time to be determined
Questions? Contact Michael Murray, or Raquel Toledo
OTHER EVENTS AND HOODINGS
These events are listed here in chronological order. As details become finalized, this list may change order.
Pannell Center’s Annual Black Graduate Celebration
Place and time to be determined
Questions? Contact The Pannell Center.
Asian American Center's Graduation Celebration
An event for graduating Asian American students, their families, and guests. Graduating Asian American Students will receive a stole at this event.
Place and time to be determined
Questions? Contact AAC .
Centro Latino's Graduation Celebration
Centro Latino will host a Graduation Celebration for graduating Latino/a students and guests
Place and time to be determined
Questions? Contact Wendy Masias
Korean Studies Center's Hooding Ceremony and Celebration
The Korean Studies Center will host a doctoral hooding ceremony for Korean Doctor of Ministry, Korean Doctor of Ministry in Global Ministries, and Korean Doctor of Intercultural Studies graduates, and a celebration of Korean MA/ThM graduates.
Place and time to be determined
Questions? Contact: Helen Lim
Korean Studies Center's Luncheon
The Korean Studies Center will host a luncheon following the hooding.
Place and time to be determined
Questions? Contact: Helen Lim
The Center for Missiological Research, and The Center for Advanced Theological Studies Reception and Hooding Ceremony
Place and time to be determined
Questions? Contact: Erik Aasland , Kutter Callaway , Kirsteen Kim , Eugen Matei
Professional Doctorates' Hooding Ceremony (Doctor of Global Leadership, Doctor of Intercultural Studies, Doctor of Ministry)
The Professional Doctorates' Office hosts a Hooding event for DGL, DIS, and DMin graduates.
Place and time to be determined
Questions? Contact: Cindy Lee
The School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy PhD and PsyD Hooding followed by a Reception
The School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy hosts a doctoral hooding ceremony for Clinical Psychology graduates.
Place and time to be determined
Questions? Contact: Beth Smith
The School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy MFT and DMFT Hooding
The School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy hosts a hooding ceremony for Marriage and Family Therapy graduates.
Place and time to be determined
Questions? Contact: Miyoung Yoon Hammer , Kenicha Yoshida , Cameron Lee
Swing by the Alumni Relations table after Commencement, update your contact info with the Alumni Relations Office, and stay connected by joining the Fuller Alumni Network.
FULLER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY ADDRESS AND CAMPUS MAP
Fuller Theological Seminary
135 N. Oakland Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91182
CAMPUS MAP
Click the map image to view a PDF of the campus map.
Directions and Parking for on-campus events
Click "Directions" on the map to get driving and public transportation directions from your location.
Parking for On-Campus Events
Complimentary parking is available in the exterior lot (185 N. Madison Ave.) behind the School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy throughout the commencement weekend. Limited street parking may also be available on Oakland Ave. Please be sure to read city parking signs carefully.
PARKING FOR GUESTS AT COMMENCEMENT
Lake Avenue Church is located at 393 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101.
This is a map to complimentary parking for guests at Gateway Plaza, on the southeast corner of the intersection of the 210 Freeway and Lake Avenue (the church is on the northwest corner of the same intersection). The entrance to the parking structure is from Mentor Ave.
Several shuttle vans will run from the south side of Gateway plaza to the pedestrian ramp on the south side of Lake Avenue Church before, during, and after the ceremony. Guests can be dropped off at the pedestrian ramp as well, and then the vehicle parked at Gateway.
The Metro's A Line (Lake Avenue stop) is a three-minute walk from Lake Avenue Church, for those using Light Rail for transportation.

WHERE TO STAY

The Westin Pasadena
(.2 miles from campus)
191 North Los Robles
Pasadena, California 91101
Phone: (626) 792-2727


Hilton Pasadena
(.5 miles from campus)
168 S. Los Robles Ave
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 577-1000
Hilton Pasadena corporate rate: 10% off the lowest advertised rate
Reservations can be made using our Corporate ID #2975411
PASADENA HOTEL & POOL
(.9 miles from campus)
928 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91106
(626) 577-1000
Pasadena Hotel & Pool corporate rate: 20% off best available rate
Reservations are made directly through Pasadena Hotel & Pool's corporate webpage.

Hyatt Place Pasadena
(.4 miles from campus)
399 E. Green St
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 788-9108

Sheraton Pasadena
(.6 miles from campus)
303 Cordova St
Pasadena, California 91101
Phone: (626) 469-8100
$169/night (single or double occupancy, standard room) off lowest rate advertised.
Add Booking Code E3B under Special Rates Section when reserving a room.