Commencement & Ceremonies

Welcome to Tufts University School of Dental Medicine’s Ceremonies and Commencement page.

We are proud of the achievements of our students and look forward to sharing these special events with you. The information on the page will provide details regarding Commencement and White Coat ceremonies. If you have additional questions, please contact Maggie McMorrow, Associate Director of Student Affairs and Career Services, via phone 617-636-6543 or email at maggie.mcmorrow@tufts.edu.

Class of 2023 DMD/Master's Commencement

All University Ceremony

Date: Sunday, May 21, 2023
Location: The Green (Between Ballou Hall & Bendetson Hall), Tufts University Medford Campus
Time: 9:00 am

The All-University Ceremony consists of greetings by University President Anthony Monaco, the presentation of honorary degrees, an address by the Commencement speaker, and the overall conferring of degrees by the Board of Trustees. During this segment, the graduates of each school of the University who are in attendance will be asked to rise and stand as a group in place while the degrees are conferred. At the conclusion of these events, all graduates will march out in a recessional and go to their respective graduation sites for the school-specific graduation ceremonies. Tickets are not required and the ceremony is not held in a tented location. Please note that the ceremony will proceed regardless of weather, but may be abbreviated in the case of inclement weather.

Dental School Commencement Ceremony

Location: Carmichael Quadrangle (in front of Carmichael Hall)
Time: 11:00 am

The Dental School’s ceremony will begin with the degree candidate processional, starting at approximately 11 am. During the Dental School’s ceremony, graduates will be recognized by name to receive their diploma and will be hooded with their doctoral hood. The ceremony will generally last 2.5 hours. Following the ceremony, graduates will take a class photograph. Please note that the ceremony will process as planned regardless of weather and that the ceremony is held under a tent.

Photography

Please note that the Dental School has contracted two photographers and they will take the official photo of students standing with their diploma, center stage with Dean Karimbux and the Dental School Trustee. These photos will be available for download on the Tufts Dental website free of charge, shortly after Commencement.

Parking, Public Transportation and Directions

Approximately 14,000 people will attend the All-University graduation. If you are driving to the campus, Campus Police officers on-site will direct you to park in designated parking areas/lots. Shuttle buses will run from the Gantcher Athletic Center and the Dowling Parking Facility to the various graduation sites. If you are planning to use the shuttle service, please plan your timing accordingly. The shuttles can be quite full and also delayed due to the overall number of people attending Commencement.

Additional information, including maps and shuttle schedules, can be found on the Tufts Commencement website. 

If you choose to take public transportation, you have two options via the train. The new Green Line Tufts/Medford station opened in late 2022! The station is right across from campus, on the corner of College Avenue and Boston Avenue.

Additionally, you can take the Red Line to the Davis Square station. Exit the Davis Square Station on the College Avenue side. You may take the #94 or #96 bus and if so, ask the driver to stop across from the Memorial Steps at Tufts University, just before the intersection of College and Boston Avenues. You can also walk 15 minutes along College Avenue to the Tufts campus. If you walk, turn right out of the subway station and follow College Avenue around a traffic circle. The Tufts Campus will be on your left.

View detailed directions to the Medford Campus.

Accessibility

Please be advised that family members who have difficulty getting to the Dental Commencement location can be driven directly to the site. Campus Police will then direct the car away from the site for parking in an alternate location parking lot.

View additional information regarding disability services at Commencement can be viewed on the Tufts University website.

If you have a family member in a wheelchair and would like to request special seating at the dental ceremony, please contact Maggie McMorrow in the Dental School Office of Student Affairs at maggie.mcmorrow@tufts.edu.

Hotel Information

Please be aware that there is not a room block or guaranteed pricing at any hotel. Parents and guests are urged to make arrangements and reservations as soon as possible because space is at a premium this time of year.

Please visit the Tufts University Area Hotels site for a list of hotels near the Medford campus. 

Medford On-Campus Housing Options

Tufts University Conference and Event Services will provide on-campus housing May 18, 19, 20, 21 in the residence halls. Rate is $120 per night for a double room. Due to fire safety policies, only 1-2 people are allowed in a double room. Bed linens and hand towels will be provided. It is suggested that guests of on-campus housing bring their own bath towels. Guests should be aware that on-campus housing rooms are not equipped with phones; cell phones are recommended.

On-campus housing at Tufts University includes a complimentary breakfast following each night of your stay. A full-menu breakfast will be available each morning in the dining halls. Complimentary breakfast tickets will be distributed when you check in to on-campus housing.  The check-in location is Houston Hall, 190 Packard Avenue.

Reservations for on-campus housing can only be made via online registration starting in February. All reservations must be received by 5:00 pm. on April 29. Any changes to reservations resulting in a refund will be subject to a 10% processing fee. If an online cancellation is received on or before 5:00 p.m. on April 29, a full refund will be made, minus a 10% processing fee. After 5:00 p.m. on April 29, all payments will be non-refundable.

To contact Conference and Event Services for information regarding on-campus housing during Commencement weekend, please call (617) 627-3568.

Covid Regulations

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine will follow Covid regulations and guidelines put forth by Tufts University. Please check this website, as well as commencement.tufts.edu for updates surrounding Commencement 2023. 

We look forward to celebrating the Class of 2023!

Senior Awards Dinner

Date: Friday, May 12, 2023
Time: Cocktail reception at 5:30 pm, with dinner and presentation starting promptly at 6:00 pm

Faculty and staff join the Class of 2023 to celebrate their accomplishments and welcome them into the Alumni Association. This event is by invitation only.