Commencement
We invite you to celebrate the accomplishments of our Hilbert graduates as they begin a new journey filled with endless possibilities. Join us in recognizing their hard work, dedication, and commitment to their education. Let us come together to honor their academic achievements and show our support as they take the next steps towards their future. Congratulations to all of our graduates, we are so proud of you!
Commencement Details
Date: Friday, May 8, 2026
Time: 1pm
Location: Revive Wesleyan Church, 4999 McKinley Pkwy, Hamburg, NY 14075
Speaker: Hon. Jeremiah J. McCarthy
United States Magistrate Judge
Robert H. Jackson United States Courthouse
Judge McCarthy was appointed United States Magistrate Judge for the Western District of New York on February 26, 2007. He received a B.A. degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1974. Following graduation, he served as a VISTA volunteer at Wisconsin Judicare, Inc. in Wausau, Wisconsin from June 1974 – May 1975. He received his law degree from Cornell Law School in 1978, where he served on the Board of Editors of the Cornell International Law Journal and as Vice-President of the Cornell Legal Aid Clinic.
After graduating from Cornell, Judge McCarthy practiced civil litigation in Buffalo at the firms of Moot & Sprague (1978 – 1990) and Phillips Lytle LLP (1990 – 2007). He is a past president of the Bar Association of Erie County (2005-6), and is a former member of the House of Delegates of the New York State Bar Association. He has also served on the board of directors of the Volunteer Lawyers Project., Inc. and the board of trustees for Hilbert College. He currently serves on the board of directors of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, as well as the editorial board of the Federal Courts Law Review.
Individual Graduation Photos
Images of graduates crossing the stage will be available through GradImages. Be on the lookout for information from them via email.
Pre-Order Gifts for Your Graduate
Skip the line and pre-order a commemorative t-shirt and graduation gifts! Gifts and shirts can be picked up at the designated tent at the Church the day of Commencement.
President’s Reception
The President’s Reception for graduates, family, and friends will immediately follow the Commencement Ceremony in the Church Lobby.
Location & Parking: Revive Wesleyan
Located just minutes from Hilbert College, Revive Wesleyan: McKinley Campus serves as the location for the Commencement ceremony. Situated at 4999 McKinley Parkway in Hamburg, this nearby venue provides a convenient and accessible space for graduates, families, and guests to gather and celebrate this important milestone.
Arrival Details Based on Status
Graduating students will report to Revive Wesleyan Church and enter Door 1 with all their required regalia (gown, hood, and cap) by 12:15 pm. Upon their arrival at Revive Wesleyan Church, graduating students will be directed to their respective robing/staging area.
Graduating students arriving after 12:15 PM may not participate in Commencement.
Doors will open for invited guests at 12:15 pm for the Commencement Ceremony. Guests can enter through Door 7.
The guest seating area will be open/general seating, except for accessibility seating reserved in advance.
Accessibility seating will be available for guests or graduating students in wheelchairs or with other accessible needs. One companion seat will also be made available, upon request.
An American Sign Language Interpreter may present at the Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Ceremony upon request.
Please contact the Commencement Committee at commence@hilbert.edu or 716-926-8773 by April 1 to reserve seating in this area.
Commencement Policy & Process Details
No backpacks or large bags will be allowed in the Wesleyan Church. Any personal belongings will be subject to search.
Commencement tickets are available for free and can be picked up at Grad Fair on March 20th. The final day to pick up tickets is April 17th.
Each invited guest must provide a ticket in exchange for admission into the Commencement Ceremony at the Revive Wesleyan Church. Tickets will be collected upon entry. Please note all children, regardless of age, must have a ticket to enter.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, collected invitations will be available for graduates and guests to take as mementos.
Prices for Complete Degree Commencement Regalia Package:
| Associates Package (gown, cap & 2-color tassel) | $57.00, plus tax |
| Bachelors Package (gown, cap, tassel & degree hood) | $99.00, plus tax |
| Masters Package (gown, cap, tassel & degree hood) | $111.00, plus tax |
Components Only:
| Bachelors Degree Hood ONLY | $42.00, plus tax |
| Masters Degree Hood ONLY | $47.00, plus tax |
| Memory 2-color Tassel ONLY | $10.00, plus tax |
| Cap ONLY (1-size-fits-most, or XL size) | $9.00, plus tax |
Photo Album
Our commencements are memorialized through photos. Check back in our Flickr album after commencement (usually takes a few days) to see all our graduates highlighted moments!
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Commencement
