Pre-Commencement Celebrations

Family, friends, and other supporters of our graduating students are welcomed to join our zoom link at the start times for each event listed above! 

Zoom links will be provided as we get closer to the events.

Participating seniors must complete this official RSVP form to confirm attendance at the APIDA, Black, Latine, and Lavender celebrations. MENA seniors must complete this MENA RSVP form to confirm attendance at the MENA celebration. 

At this time, undergraduate seniors are welcome to RSVP. Only one form submission is required.

Completing your RSVP before the deadline and before senior spots reaches capacity will reserve a certificate and stole. Stoles are limited and will be distributed on a first sign-up basis. Once we reach capacity for the listed spots, we cannot guarantee a stole or certificate for additional RSVP submissions.

A member of Team OMA will follow up to confirm your RSVP.

Event Deadlines & Capacity

Middle Eastern & North African (MENA) Celebration
📅 RSVP Deadline: Sunday, April 10
📍 Friday, April 17, 2026 | 5:00 PM | Lincoln Center | LL 12th Floor Lounge
Senior Capacity: 40 seniors

Lavender Celebration
📅 RSVP Deadline: Sunday, April 17
📍 Sunday, May 3, 2026 | 12:30 PM | Rose Hill | McShane Center Great Hall
Senior Capacity: 100 seniors

APIDA Student Celebration
📅 RSVP Deadline: Sunday, April 17
📍 Monday, May 4, 2026 | 5:00 PM | Rose Hill | McShane Center Great Hall
Senior Capacity: 110 seniors

Latine Student Celebration
📅 RSVP Deadline: Sunday, April 17
📍 Thursday, May 7, 2026 | 5:00 PM | Lincoln Center | LL 12th Floor Lounge
Senior Capacity: 100 seniors

Black Student Celebration
📅 RSVP Deadline: Sunday, April 17
📍 Friday, May 8, 2026 | 5:00 PM | Lincoln Center | LL 12th Floor Lounge
Senior Capacity: 100 seniors

Ticket Information

Graduating seniors do NOT need to obtain a University Ticket. Completing the RSVP form is sufficient to participate and be recognized at the celebration. A University Ticket is only necessary if you are attending to support peers at any of the events they are being recognized at.

Fordham faculty, staff, and students who wish to attend any of the OMA Pre-Commencement Celebrations must reserve their spot through University Tickets.

Due to limited venue capacity, all Fordham community members attending in person are required to obtain a guest ticket in advance. Guest tickets are free but required for entry.

How to RSVP:

1. Visit University Tickets using the provided link.

2. Select the OMA Pre-Commencement Celebration you plan to attend.

3. Reserve your guest ticket and bring your Fordham ID to the event.

Important Notes:

• Tickets are required only for Fordham community guests attending in person.

• Graduating seniors do not need a University Ticket for celebrations where they will be recognized, as long as they have completed the senior RSVP form. Seniors only need to obtain a University Ticket if they plan to attend another celebration as a guest (for example, to support peers at a different ceremony where they are not being recognized).

• Non-Fordham guests (family and friends) who cannot attend in person will be able to join via Zoom. A Zoom link will be posted on this page closer to the event dates.

If you have questions about guest attendance, please contact teamoma@fordham.edu.

Each year, the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) recognizes graduating seniors who have made meaningful contributions to building community, advancing inclusion, and strengthening cultural life at Fordham.

Students, faculty, staff, and peers are invited to nominate graduating seniors who have demonstrated leadership, service, and a commitment to uplifting their communities during their time at the university.

🗓 Nomination Deadline: Friday, April 10

Award recipients will be recognized during the OMA Pre-Commencement Celebrations.

How to Nominate

Submit a nomination using the Senior Award Nomination Form linked on this page. Nominators may submit multiple nominations for within one if they wish to recognize more than one graduating senior.

Additional details about award categories are provided on the nomination form.

Who Can Be Nominated

• Undergraduate seniors graduating in the current academic year

• Students who have demonstrated leadership, advocacy, or service within community-centered spaces at Fordham

• Students who have contributed positively to campus life and community building

Who Can Submit a Nomination

• Students

• Faculty and staff

• Advisors and mentors

• Peers and fellow student leaders

For questions about nominations, please contact teamoma@fordham.edu

Graduating seniors who RSVP before the deadline and before an event reaches capacity will receive a commemorative stole and certificate.

Stoles are limited per celebration and distributed based on RSVP order and event capacity. Capacity details can be found in the “RSVP for Graduating Seniors” section.

If you are unable to attend but RSVP’d and received confirmation from Team OMA, you may pick up your reserved items during the designated periods below.

MENA Student Celebration

Reserved Pickup (for confirmed seniors only):
April 20 – April 24

Open Pickup (all graduating students, including graduate students):
April 27 – May 1

After April 24, unclaimed MENA stoles will be released and made available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Lavender, APIDA, Latine & Black Celebrations

Reserved Pickup (for confirmed seniors only):
May 11 – May 13

Open Pickup (all graduating students, including graduate students):
May 14 – May 15

After May 13, unclaimed stoles will be released and made available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Pickup Locations

Rose Hill Office
McShane Campus Center, Suite 283
(Behind the Office of Student Involvement / around the corner from IT)

Lincoln Center Office
140 West Building, Room G41

Important Notes

• Students must pick up during the reserved window to guarantee their stole and certificate.

• Missing the reserved pickup window means your items may be released to other students.

• Pickup hours will be shared via email.

• If there are questions regarding pickup hours after the events, please email [email protected]. 

Because OMA Pre-Commencement Celebrations take place on both the Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses, the Office of Multicultural Affairs will provide Ram Van passes for graduating seniors who need to travel to the opposite campus to attend their celebration.

If you need transportation, you can request a Ram Van pass directly in the Senior RSVP form. Please review the “RSVP for Graduating Seniors” section on this page to locate the form and submit your request.

Please note:

• Ram Van passes are available only for graduating seniors traveling between campuses for their celebration.

• Passes will be sent via email 1–2 days before your event.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Do I need to RSVP to attend a celebration?

A: Yes. All graduating seniors must complete the RSVP form to participate and be recognized at any OMA Pre-Commencement Celebration.

Q: Can I attend more than one celebration?

A: Yes. You may attend multiple celebrations if they align with your communities. Only one RSVP form submission is required. Two form submissions may be required if one of the events you would like to be recognized at is MENA Student Celebration, which has its own RSVP form.

Q: Do I need a ticket as a graduating senior?

A: No. Graduating seniors do NOT need a University Ticket for celebrations where they are being recognized, as long as they completed the RSVP form.

If you plan to attend another celebration as a guest (not being recognized), you will need to reserve a ticket through University Tickets.

Q: Do guests need tickets?

A:

• Fordham community guests (students, faculty, staff): Yes, tickets are required through University Tickets.
• Non-Fordham guests (family and friends): No ticket required—they may attend via Zoom using the link shared closer to the event.

Q: What happens if I RSVP after senior spot capacity is reached?

A: A member from Team OMA will reach out to inform you if you have RSVP’d after capacity. We cannot guarantee a stole or certificate once senior spots have reached capacity. Senior spots are representative of supplies (stoles and certificates). In this case, students are still welcome to attend the event but should not expect their name read during the program to receive a stole or certificate. The team will have your contact information to reach out regarding pickup times if there are any stoles left unclaimed.

Q: How do I know if my RSVP is confirmed?

A: A member of Team OMA will follow up via email to confirm your RSVP and participation details.

Q: Will I receive a stole and certificate?

A: Yes—if you RSVP before the deadline and before capacity is reached, you will receive a stole and certificate at your celebration.

Q: What if I can’t attend my celebration?

A: If you RSVP’d and received confirmation, you can pick up your stole and certificate during the designated pickup periods listed in the “Information on Stoles” section.

Q: Can I still get a stole if I didn’t RSVP?

A: Possibly. After reserved pickup periods, remaining stoles will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for all graduating students (including graduate students).

Q: Will food be provided?

A: Yes. Food will be served at each celebration.

• Dinner will begin at approximately 5:00 PM for the APIDA, Black, Latine, and MENA Celebrations.
• Brunch will begin at approximately 12:30 PM for the Lavender Celebration.

Q: How do I request a Ram Van pass?

A: You can request a Ram Van pass directly in the RSVP form if you need to travel between campuses.

Passes will be sent via email 1–2 days before your event.

Q: Where are the celebrations taking place?

A: Celebrations will take place on both the Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses. Specific locations are listed under each event in the “RSVP for Graduating Seniors” section.

Q: What is the dress code?

A: There is no requirement to wear graduation regalia.

Students are encouraged to dress in formal, semi-formal, or comfortably nice attire, and are welcome to wear clothing that reflects their cultural identity and personal expression.

Q: How long are the celebrations?

A: Each celebration typically lasts 2 to 3 hours, including recognition, speakers, and community celebration.

Q: Who can I contact if I have questions?

A: Please contact the Office of Multicultural Affairs at [email protected], and a member of Team OMA will follow up with you.