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Douglass' 104th Spring Convocation

Congratulations Graduate!

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! On behalf of the entire Douglass staff, we are so proud of all you have achieved over the past four years at Rutgers and Douglass. Now, it’s time to celebrate!

You are invited to our annual Douglass Spring Convocation on May 17, 2025 from 10:00 PM to 11:30 AM

How Do I RSVP?

Registration for all DRC graduation events, including Spring Convocation on May 17 and Senior Breakfast on May 15, will be conducted through a platform called Tassel. You should receive an email to your RUTGERS email account, prompting you to log in and fill out the RSVP form for both events. The RSVP is due by April 7, 2025.

What to Expect at Convocation - May 17, 2025, Antilles Field

At Spring Convocation, head out to Antilles Field with your family and friends for a special Douglass-only ceremony. Have your name called, receive your Douglass certificate and stole on stage, and celebrate your achievement with your Douglass friends.

After the ceremony, graduates and their guests are invited to join us on Archery Field for refreshments and a special Douglass senior gift.

Douglass Senior Brunch - May 14, 2025, The Ludwig Center

All graduates are invited to join us on May 14 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM for Douglass Senior Brunch. Join us for a brunch spread, senior toast, photo booth, special Douglass gifts, and much more!

Food will be served at Douglass Senior Brunch.

Registration is required to attend Senior Brunch.

Senior Brunch
Julie Domonkos

Our Keynote 

Julie Domonkos DC'83

A leader in the fight against domestic violence and a tireless champion of women and women’s issues, Julie Domonkos is a 1983 graduate of Douglass College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in economics with highest honors and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa as a junior. After obtaining her law degree from New York University in 1986, Domonkos practiced at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison before founding one of the first legal services offices for domestic violence victims in New York City in 1992.

Domonkos served as co-founder of the Lawyers Committee Against Domestic Violence and as chair of the Domestic Violence Task Force of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, where she developed and advocated for improved policies in the police, prosecutorial, judicial, and social services responses to domestic violence. Her tenacious advocacy efforts led to the passage of many significant policy changes and pieces of legislation, including landmark New York State laws against stalking and human trafficking.

From 2000 to 2005, Domonkos was Executive Director of My Sisters’ Place, Westchester County’s leading domestic violence services and advocacy organization, ensuring victims’ access to legal and social services. As a frequent writer and lecturer on domestic violence, she has authored numerous journal and newspaper pieces, and is a co-editor and contributor to the Lawyer's Manual on Domestic Violence, published by the New York State Court system. In recent years, Domonkos has transitioned to writing fiction and mentoring young women in her community. She is also an avid supporter of Douglass, serving on the esteemed institution’s Advisory Board since 2014, and has provided strong leadership as Board Chair since 2016. Working closely with Douglass leadership on the Centennial Campaign and Dean Jacqueline Litt’s Strategic Plan, Domonkos helped drive the creation of the BOLD Center for Leadership, Career, and Personal Development, one of Douglass’ most successful and impactful initiatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

    1. If you have not already, register for Senior Breakfast and Spring Convocation through the email sent to your Rutgers email account by April 7, 2025
    2. Purchase university regalia that reflects your academic unit and degree
    3. Show up to Spring Convocation on time (by 9 AM) with your regalia on Saturday, May 17, 2025
    4. Review the Rutgers check list for graduating students, Steps to Commencement | Rutgers Commencement

    Who can participate in Douglass Convocation? All Douglass Residential College students who:

    • Graduated in August 2024
    • Graduated in January 2025
    • Expecting to graduate in May 2025
    • Expecting to graduate in August 2025
  • Students will need to be in the student line-up (WITH YOUR REGALIA ON) on Chapel Drive by College Hall by 9:00 AM the morning of Saturday, May 17, 2025 for the Convocation Ceremony. Coming from a different ceremony? No problem! Head over to Douglass after your prior ceremony is finished. SAS has four ceremonies to choose from.

  • Antilles Field (located next to Voorhees Chapel on the Douglass Campus)
    Rain Location:
    Voorhees Chapel

  • You can participate in any and all ceremonies for which you are eligible for. For example, if you are a member of Douglass Residential College who will receive a degree from the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, you may participate in as many as three ceremonies.

    Who can participate in Douglass Convocation? All Douglass Residential College students who:

    • Graduated in August 2024
    • Graduated in January 2025
    • Expecting to graduate in May 2025
    • Expecting to graduate in August 2025
  • Yes, you will receive a Douglass stole and Douglass pin that you can wear on your regalia. In the future, you can wear your pin as a lapel pin to show that you are a Douglass alum.

  • Leadership cords are available to students who have participated in a Douglass leadership organization or program, or held an executive position on any university organization, including:

    • Barbara Voorhees Mentor Program
    • Douglass Black Students Congress
    • Douglass Orientation Committee
    • Douglass Governing Council
    • Peer Academic Leaders
    • Red Pine Ambassadors
    • Rainbow Pines
    • STEM Ambassadors
    • Douglass Student Recruitment Network
    • Douglass Summer Orientation Leaders
    • Traditional Events Committee
    • Douglass Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Ambassadors
    • Executive Board member of a Douglass/University Student Organizations,
    • And many more!

    Leadership cords are free and will be available at Convocation at check-in.

  • Purchase caps, gowns, and hoods from Barnes & Noble at Rutgers, 100 Somerset Street, New Brunswick.

    Don't forget to pick up any honor society or other recognition cords and stoles, if applicable

  • No tickets are required for the Douglass graduation or Senior Banquet. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis. If you or your guests attending the Douglass Convocation on May 11th, 2024 require special accessibility, please indicate it when you sign up through Marching Order so we can meet your needs. Accessibility seating will be provided.

    • Parking deck behind the Douglass Student Center
    • Lot 70   
    • 69 (Ruth Adams-Douglass Project)
    • 73 (Nicholas Music Hall)
    • 74A (New Gibbons)
    •  79A (Hickman Hall)– Disabled Parking Pass required, and used for handicap drop-off and parking