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student at graduation

Commencement at Northeastern

Graduating in May? Find everything you need here:

Commencement will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 1:30 pm ET.

Today's Graduates join over 600 Northeastern Seminary alumni ministering around the nation and world. Representing over 30 different Christian faith traditions they share in the mission of God through innovative approaches to ministry, engagement of their cultural context, perseverance in the face of challenges, excellence in biblical preaching and worship, and transformation of self and others through spiritual formation. Since opening its doors in 1998, the Seminary has continued to grow in prominence as an independent, multi-denominational seminary and as a significant resource for the Church community in upstate New York.

Northeastern Seminary's Commencement Ceremony will be held in Hale Auditorium in the Cultural Life Center on the campus of Roberts Wesleyan College.

Parking will be available in Lot A, located off of Orchard Street behind Pearce Memorial Church. Accessible parking is also available on the lower level of the Cultural Life Center and in Lot A.

12:00 pm |  Doors Open  

1:15 pm | Ceremony Live Stream Begins - Live Streaming will be available on Northeastern Seminary’s website. 

1:30 pm | Ceremony Begins

3:00 pm | Ceremony Ends - Light reception to follow

Questions? Please contact Sharon Mendes, Commencement Coordinator at mendes_sharon@roberts.edu or 585.594.6260.

If you have an accessibility request or would like sign language interpretation, please contact Sharon Mendes, Commencement Coordinator at mendes_sharon@roberts.edu or 585.594.6260.

Commencement Livestream

Dr. Deana L. Porterfield

Dr. Deana L. Porterfield is the 11th President of Roberts Wesleyan University and the third President of Northeastern Seminary. She is a visionary leader with a passion for faith-based higher education which promotes transformational learning and hope.

An involved leader within the community, Dr. Porterfield serves on a number of boards and has been recognized with numerous awards for community and organizational leadership excellence.

President Porterfield earned a doctorate in organizational leadership from the University of La Verne in La Verne, CA. She also holds a master's degree in organizational management and a bachelor's degree in music from Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, CA.

Porterfield lives in Rochester, NY with her husband Doug. They have two married daughters and four grandchildren.

We are proud of each graduate!