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In the week before commencement ceremonies, graduates can make an appointment to pose for portraits in their regalia and celebrate safely with guests. Students will be able to cross the theatre stage in their cap and gown and have photos taken by professional photographers. Guests are welcome to attend to photograph the graduate and pose for group photos. 

Choose your time and date to cross the ceremonial stage in cap and gown with your guests in attendance and able to photograph you up close! Sign up with friends or classmates from other programs who may graduate in a different commencement ceremony.

At Graduation Portraits, undergraduate and graduate students will:

• be awarded a special Viking Strong cord to honor your perseverance and resilience;
• choose a friend or family member (or a university official) to announce your name;
• walk across the ceremonial stage in your cap and gown;
• be professionally photographed with family and friends;
• receive a code for a free 5x7 photograph (no purchase necessary)

Event Details

Location: Sophia Gordon Center for the Creative and Performing Arts 

Date(s): graduates may sign up for an appointment to pose for a photograph in cap and gown and with guests on Friday, May 9 from 11 am-8 pm. 

Students may sign up on a first-come, first-served basis. Appointments for small groups of graduates will be available at 15-minute intervals. Students will be able to choose up to ten guests to accompany them to the Graduate Portrait event. Professional photographers will take photos of students and their guests. Guests are welcome to photograph or video their graduate up close, too. Photographers will send thumbnail proofs of the photos taken to each student. All graduates are able to use a code for a free 5x7 photograph from either the Graduate Portraits event and/or the Commencement ceremony. There is no obligation to order any photos, but there are charges to order additional photos from the photographer. 

Check-in: Graduates and their guests check-in at their appointment time in the Sophia lobby on North Campus.

Register for a Graduate Portrait sitting

2025 graduates, check your Salem State email for messages as of April 16 from SSU Commencement to access the portrait sign-up link.

For more information, contact Grad Images, the professional photographer on site, at (800) 261-2576, , or by email.

Safety First

All on-campus activities are subject to the ²©²ÊÂÛ̳ health and safety protocols.

Students and/or guests experiencing symptoms on the day of the event are expected not to come to campus events.

Caps and Gowns

All candidates participating in Graduate Portraits are encouraged to wear proper academic regalia.

Caps and gowns are provided to students who are eligible to participate in commencement at no additional cost. Students may pick up their cap and gown at the bookstore from April 9, 2025 through May 14, 2025. Please contact the bookstore at 0198mgr@follett.com with any questions.

Parking and Accommodations

Parking is available at all university lots and in the North Campus parking garage. See our campus map.

Individuals needing accommodations for accessibility, such as sign language interpreters, wheelchair access, ground level seating, will be able to request this service. For more information, contact commencement-access@salemstate.edu or 978.542.6217 (TTY: 978.542.7146), no later than April 28, 2025.