Commencement 2025

The Department of Sociology hosts an annual Graduation Ceremony for all graduating undergraduate sociology majors* and their guests.

*Diplomas will be at the ceremony for students' first majors. Students who plan to attend their second major ceremony will need to make arrangements with the respective departments ahead of time to arrange diploma pickup.

The Duke Sociology ceremony takes place immediately after the university-wide Commencement Ceremony.  Tickets are not required for this event.

RSVP

Students should have received an email from the department with a link to the RSVP survey. If you have not received this email please contact Amanda Archibald at amanda.archibald@duke.edu

Seating & Diploma Information

Guest Seating

Ample open seating is provided for guests throughout Griffith Film Theater. Designated accessible seating can be reserved when your student RSVPs. This seating is intended for guests using wheelchairs, and/or persons with mobility impairments. 

Graduate Seating & Ceremony Participation 

The first 5 rows in the middle section of the theater will be reserved for graduates and our photographers. The first 5 rows in the left section of the theater will be reserved for faculty and photographers. Students will be seated in alphabetical order. Additional instructions for graduate seating will be provided prior to the ceremony. Please remain seated for the duration of the ceremony (except for the trip to the stage to receive diplomas). Students should not sit with their guests. Graduates will be cued when it is time to rise and ascend to the stage by the steps at stage right to receive their diplomas. A professional photographer will take a picture as you receive your diploma and at the foot of the stairs. After pausing for the photo at the foot of the stairs, please return to graduate seating.

Name Card Pickup

Prior to the start of the ceremony, all graduates must visit the name card table located outside of the theater. There will be signs directing students to this table, so please look for them as you enter. Students must keep their name cards in their possession and bring them to the stage during the Recognition Ceremony. The card will be used to read names as graduates cross the stage.

Parking, Travel, Lodging, & General Commencement Information

Parking

Please refer to the University commencement webpage for parking lots and shuttle services. Parking for Griffith Film Theater, inside Bryan Center, will be available in the Bryan Center Parking Garage. 

Lodging in Durham

Durham offers over 60 diverse lodging options. These include downtown hotels close to the city's center, more rustic bed and breakfasts, and everything in between. We strongly recommend making reservations well in advance. Room rates often differ over commencement weekend, and many hotels require three-night minimum reservations.

The Durham Convention and Visitors' Bureau (at 800-446-8604) is a valuable resource for finding lodging in Durham. To find lodging options near Duke's campus, please refer to the "Where To Stay" Commencement page for Duke University.

For activity and dining recommendations, as well as general commencement information, please visit the commencement page for Duke University.

Visitor VISAS

Need to apply for VISAs in order to attend the commencement ceremony? Have your graduating student submit this paperwork so you can join us for commencement weekend.

Visitor VISAS Information

Graduation Photography

There will be a professional photographer at the event, supplied by Morgan Crutchfield Photography. Graduates will have their photos taken twice: once while receiving their diplomas, and once off-stage with their diplomas. The photographer will also be taking photos before and after the ceremony. 

Graduates will receive an email from Duke Sociology with a link to Duke Box that allows for viewing and downloading of graduation photos online.