Information for Families and Guests

We are looking forward to celebrating your Sagehen graduate with you at Commencement 2025. Watch this page for upcoming information and options to enhance your celebration.

Families of Graduates: RSVPs for the Commencement ceremony are required to ensure an accurate guest count for the reception to follow the commencement ceremony, and to ensure access to guest services. Please RSVP by completing the Pomona College Commencement 2025 RSVP Form.

Please contact the Office of College Events via email Commencement@pomona.edu with questions.

Local Accommodations

Consult our list of nearby hotels for lodging options. Please contact your preferred hotel directly for reservations.

Pomona College has preferred rates at the following hotels:

DoubleTree Hilton Claremont

Standard rooms: $157.00 Single / Double Occupancy Deluxe rooms: $162.00 Single / Double Occupancy Premium rooms: $179.00 Single / Double Occupancy - Includes Breakfast for 2 Guest

This rate is subject to availability & minimum length of stay restrictions. All guest room rates are subject to occupancy tax, currently at 12%.

Reservations can be made through:

- 24-hour reservation department at 1-800-222-TREE, or Hotel Direct at 909-626-2411

- Website direct link @ www.doubletreeclaremont.com

- Email to Shirlene Nowling at the hotel, Shirlene.Nowling@Hilton.com

DoubleTree by Hilton Ontario Airport

15% off published rates by using corporate ID: 560036314

Getting to Campus

Find comprehensive instructions for  visiting Pomona College, including local airports, driving directions and parking information.

Commencement Photography

During the Commencement ceremony, a professional photographer will take photos of seniors as they cross the stage and receive their diplomas. These photos will be made available to graduates and families at no cost. Instructions for downloading print quality photos from the photographer's digital gallery will be emailed following Commencement Weekend.

Guest/Disability Services

Services available to guests for the Commencement ceremony are listed below. Unless denoted with an asterisk (*), use of these services does not require a special request or reservation. Request or reserve guest/and accessibility services

Accessible Parking, Drop-Off Locations and Shuttle Services

We have designated a number of campus locations to provide parking and drop-off options for guests who have difficulty with walking long distances or who use wheelchairs. Signage will be posted along the campus access route to direct guests to accessible parking lots and drop-off locations.

Golf cart shuttle services are also provided between the  South Campus Parking Structure and Marston Quad, where the Commencement ceremony will take place.

ADA-compliant seating areas*

We have designated seating areas for guests attending the ceremony in wheelchairs or using other mobility assisting devices, as our ceremony takes place on the all-grass Marston Quad. On arrival, signage will direct guests to the seating areas from designated campus parking areas and drop-off locations. Each person may bring one companion into the seating section.

Please complete the Pomona College Commencement 2025 RSVP Form to reserve seating in one of these areas. In your reservation request, please include the number of guests in your party who will use seating, as well as the total number of guests in your group.

Guests who would like to rent a wheelchair for use during the Commencement ceremony may contact the local provider listed below.

Pomona Medical Supply 
733 E. Holt Avenue 
Pomona, CA 91767 
(909) 623-4378

Closed Captioning, On-Screen Viewing and Live Streaming

  • Students and guests will have two options to access closed captioning during Commencement:
  • Closed captioning is available by streaming the live commencement ceremony on a smart device (available from the  main Commencement page). Attendees are advised to bring an iPad/tablet for enlarged access to captioning.
  • Guests unable to attend the ceremony in person may view the live stream directly from the  main Commencement page.

Hearing Assistance

  • Headsets for guests who would like hearing assistance will be available for checkout from the Information Booth on Marston Quad before the ceremony. Please include your request with your RSVP.

Language Interpretation Services

  • Guests may check out a complimentary headset from the Information Booth on Marston Quad to hear a simultaneous interpretation of the Commencement ceremony in Mandarin or Spanish. Please include your request with your RSVP.

Optional Items for Purchase

Commencement Announcements

Some families choose to send commencement announcements to families and friends who are unable to attend the ceremony. If you would like to purchase announcements for your student, you may do so on the  Jostens website.

Diploma Frames

Special frames for your student’s Pomona College diploma are available for sale at the Coop Store. Order yours by calling (909) 607-2264 or visiting the  Framing Success website.

Flower Bouquets and Leis

Sherwood Florist, a local Claremont establishment, provides a special assortment of leis and bouquets at a discount for Pomona College families who pre-order for Commencement. Flowers ordered in advance can be picked up on campus on Sunday, May 18, in the Smith Campus Center Courtyard before the Commencement ceremony. Please note that flowers will not be available for sale on campus – only pick-ups of pre-orders. Sherwood Florist donates 10% of the proceeds from these sales to Pomona College's Student Emergency Fund.

Order leis online

Orders for other flower arrangements can be placed directly with Sherwood Florist by calling 909-625-3309.

Senior Portraits

Special photography packages are available from Sonja Stump Photography in the Claremont Village. Contact the photographer for package options.

Updated information for Commencement 2025 will be posted as it becomes available.