Thursday, May 14, 2026
9:00 AM – 11:30 AM ET
Walter Brown Arena
285 Babcock Street
The livestream of the 2026 Economics Convocation will broadcast from 9 to 10:30 AM ET on Thursday, May 14, 2026. The link will be available here.
Graduate Arrival: All graduates (including walk-through participants) are required to arrive at 8:00 AM ET for lineup. Lineup will take place outside under the tent located on the tennis courts behind Walter Brown Arena.
Tickets: There are no tickets or guest limits for the Economics Convocation. Guests can enter Walter Brown Arena and begin seating themselves in the arena stands at 8:00 AM ET. A reception for family, friends, and graduates will immediately follow the ceremony in the Walter Brown Arena. The reception will end at 11:30 AM ET.
Students graduating with multiple majors may attend all relevant departmental ceremonies. Please consult each department for individual participation policies and requirements.
Academic Regalia (Caps and Gowns): All students participating in commencement-related events—including departmental convocations and the All-University Commencement—must wear University-approved regalia. Regalia pickup will begin on Monday, May 4, at the BU Campus Store (910 Commonwealth Avenue). To order regalia, please visit Caps & Gowns.
Phonetic Pronunciations: The Director of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Todd Idson, will be reading undergraduate students’ names and wants to pronounce them correctly. Beginning on April 13, students can come to the Economics Department at 270 Bay State Road, Office 444, on Monday to Thursday, from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM to provide the pronunciation of their names, which will be noted on index cards.
ALL index cards with student names and degrees will be available for pickup at 8:15 AM ET on Thursday, May 14, at Walter Brown Arena. These are unofficial cards used solely for the purpose of calling out student names. Students are responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information on the card prior to the ceremony. Students will be seated for the ceremony by degree. At the appropriate time, students will be directed to the stage by row. When students step up to the stage, they will hand their index cards to Prof. Idson, who will read their names. Prof. Idson will read any phonetic pronunciations that are provided.
Disability & Access Accommodations: Requests for accommodations (including accessible parking, seating, or personal assistance) must be submitted by May 8, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET. Accommodation request forms will be available for submission beginning April 1, 2026. For more information, please visit Disabilities & Access Services.
Security Details: All students, faculty, staff, volunteers, guests, and vendors will be subject to screening when entering any Commencement Weekend venue, possibly with a metal-detecting wand or similar devices. Only small and average-size handbags, purses, and camera bags will be allowed (no large totes, oversized purses, backpacks, large diaper bags, or messenger bags). Bag size is limited to 12″ x 12″ x 6″. All bags will be physically inspected prior to entry. No other bags, gift bags, wrapped gifts, packages, briefcases, backpacks, or luggage will be allowed in a Commencement or Convocation venue, including Nickerson Field. If guests have packages or bags that are not permitted, they may leave them at a “self-check” area adjacent to the venues. Graduates should carry their robes into event venues and then dress in designated lineup areas.
Transportation on Convocation Day: We recommend using the MBTA (Green Line (B)), 57 bus, or BU shuttle bus on the day of convocation. Parking on campus and throughout Boston is very limited. The closest parking lot for Walter Brown Arena is the Agganis Arena parking lot (925 Commonwealth Avenue). Shuttle buses will operate along Commonwealth Avenue before and after the Nickerson Field ceremony and will stop upon request. For those using rideshare services or being dropped off for the All-University Commencement, in order to avoid traffic on Commonwealth Avenue, please ask your driver to drop you off at 250 Pleasant Street, Brookline MA. This location is across the street from the Agganis Way entrance to Nickerson Field. For additional details, please visit Parking & Transportation.
Announcement Archive
Previous Years’ Announcements:
Dear Students,
It is finals week and after that, time to walk across the stage!
I am writing to remind you that the Economics Convocation will take place at the following date and location:
Thursday, May 16, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. ET
Walter Brown Arena
285 Babcock Street
All Graduates (current or walk-throughs) MUST arrive at Walter Brown Arena between 8:00 and 8:15 a.m. ET. Graduates will line-up outside in the tent on the tennis courts behind the arena.
Additionally, if you ordered regalia for pick-up, the time has finally come to head to the BU Bookstore to collect them. Please make sure that if you are collecting your regalia from the Bookstore that you go during regular business hours and bring an ID for verification of your order.
The Bookstore’s Business Hours are:
Mon – Fri: 10am – 8pm
Sat: 10am – 6pm
Sun: 12pm – 5pm
Please remember that in order to walk at the Economics Convocation or participate in the All-University Commencement, you must wear regalia.
Finally, all graduating seniors are asked to fill out the following form regarding your experience in Economics. By filling out the form, you will help us structure the department and curriculum better for current and future students. This is your moment to feel heard on what did and did not work well.
Update from Thursday, April 25, 2024:
Dear Students,
The end of the semester is upon us, and graduation is just around the corner!
I am writing to remind you that the Economics Convocation will take place at the following date and location:
Thursday, May 16, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. ET
Walter Brown Arena
285 Babcock Street
All Graduates (current or walk-throughs) MUST arrive at Walter Brown Arena between 8:00 and 8:15 a.m. ET. Graduates will line-up outside in the tent on the tennis courts behind the arena.
Additionally, if you would like to provide your phonetic pronunciation to help ensure your name is read correctly, please come to the Economics Department at 270 Bay State Road, Office 444, between 10am and 4pm Monday – Friday before May 3rd. You will need to write your name and preferred pronunciation on a sticky note so that we can transfer it to an index card.
Finally, all graduating seniors are asked to fill out the following form regarding your experience in Economics. By filling out the form, you will help us structure the department and curriculum better for current and future students. This is your moment to feel heard on what did and did not work well.
Update from Monday, March 18th, 2024:
Dear Students,
Congratulations on your upcoming graduation!
Boston University hosts two major graduation events for graduating students from May 16 to 19. The first of these is the Department of Economics Convocation on Thursday, May 16. The “traditional” All-University Commencement ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 19. For more details on the All-University Commencement, please go to https://www.bu.edu/commencement/.
Please carefully read and review the following, as it contains important information about the Economics Convocation Ceremony. There is only one Economics Convocation Ceremony every year in May for all January, May, and tentative August graduates. Students graduating with degrees from multiple departments (joint majors and double majors) can attend the convocation ceremonies for either or each of those departments.
January 2024, May 2024, and tentative August 2024 graduates are welcome to join us for the Economics Convocation on:
Thursday, May 16, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. ET
Walter Brown Arena
285 Babcock Street
All Graduates (current or walk-throughs) must arrive at Walter Brown Arena between 8:00 and 8:15 a.m. ET. Graduates will line-up outside in the tent on the tennis courts behind the arena.
Guests: There are no tickets or guest limits for the Economics Convocation or the All-University Commencement ceremony. Guests can enter Walter Brown Arena and begin seating themselves in the arena stands at 8 a.m. ET. A reception for family, friends, and graduates will immediately follow the ceremony in the Walter Brown Arena. The reception will end at 11:30 a.m. ET.
Phonetic pronunciations: The Director of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Todd Idson, will be reading undergraduate students’ names and wants to pronounce them correctly. Students can come to the Economics Department at 270 Bay State Road, Office 444, on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. throughout April to provide the pronunciation of their names, which will be noted on index cards.
ALL index cards with student names and degrees will be available for pickup at 8:15 a.m. ET on Thursday, May 16, at Walter Brown Arena. These are unofficial cards used solely for the purpose of calling out student names. Students are responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information on the card prior to the ceremony. Students will be seated for the ceremony by degree. At the appropriate time, students will be directed to the stage by row. When students step up to the stage, they will hand their index cards to Prof. Idson, who will read their names. Prof. Idson will read any phonetic pronunciations that are provided.
May 2024 Graduates: The Registrar’s Office will mail all diplomas. After your name is called, you will receive an empty diploma envelope when you walk on stage. More details are available at https://www.bu.edu/reg/calendars/diplomas/.
January 2024 and tentative August 2024 Graduates: You are considered ‘walk-throughs’ and may attend the Economics Convocation Ceremony. An empty diploma envelope will be handed out to you when you walk on stage after your name is called.
The All-University Commencement will be held on:
Sunday, May 19, 2024, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm ET
Nickerson Field (rain or shine)
https://www.bu.edu/commencement/ceremonies/
Academic Dress: If you are participating in the Economics Convocation Ceremony and/or the All-University Commencement you must wear the University-approved regalia. Graduates can purchase approved academic regalia at Barnes & Noble, which is Boston University’s approved supplier for caps and gowns. All caps and gowns should be ordered by March 25 for campus pick up. Any orders placed after March 25, but before April 15, will be shipped to you directly. Caps and gowns are not available for order after April 15. For more information, please visit https://www.bu.edu/commencement/for-students/caps-gowns/.
Master’s & BA/MA Academic Regalia:
Red Gown, Black Cap, Red Tassel, Master Hood
BA Academic Regalia:
Red Gown, Black Cap, Black Tassel, No Hood
Photos: BU is partnering with GradImages to provide graduate photos. Please visit https://www.bu.edu/commencement/for-students/photos-memorabilia/ for more information. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your photos, please contact their Customer Service Department at (800) 261-2576, online at www.gradimages.com, or by email at ecc.giservice@gradimages.net.
Security details: All students, faculty, staff, volunteers, guests, and vendors will be subject to screening when entering any Commencement Weekend venue, possibly with a metal-detecting wand or similar devices. Only small and average-size handbags, purses, and camera bags will be allowed (no large totes, oversized purses, backpacks, large diaper bags, or messenger bags). Bag size is limited to 12″ x 12″ x 6″. All bags will be physically inspected prior to entry. No other bags, gift bags, wrapped gifts, packages, briefcases, backpacks, or luggage will be allowed in a Commencement or Convocation venue, including Nickerson Field. If guests have packages or bags that are not permitted, they may leave them at a “self-check” area adjacent to the venues. Graduates should carry their robes into event venues and then dress in designated lineup areas.
Transportation on Commencement Day: We recommend using the MBTA or BU shuttle bus on the day of commencement. Parking on campus and throughout Boston is very limited. The closest parking lot for Walter Brown Arena is Langsam Garage on 142 Gardner Street. Permit holders with accessible parking placards or plates will continue to have access to accessible parking spaces in all lots and garages. Shuttle buses will operate along Commonwealth Avenue before and after the Nickerson Field ceremony and will stop upon request. For additional details, please visit https://www.bu.edu/commencement/visit/parking-transportation/.
We look forward to celebrating you and your accomplishments at the Economics Convocation Ceremony!
