General Commencement Information
Admission to the Ceremony
Guests should go directly to the Gentile Center. Please do not accompany your graduate to the preparation area in the Halas Sports Center.
There is ample seating in the Gentile Center on a first come, first-served basis. Guests will not be permitted to find seats during the Faculty Processional at the start of the ceremony.
The College of Arts & Sciences requires tickets for admission to the ceremony. Be sure to arrange for this with your graduate, as you will not be admitted to either of those ceremonies without a ticket.
Diplomas
Diplomas will be ordered after all the grades have been processed and will be mailed to graduates in late June. Contact Registration and Records.
Guests with Disabilities
Advance arrangements should be made with the individual school. Please return to your schools page to reach the appropriate school contact.
Laudatory Status
For purposes of the ceremony, laudatory status is unofficial for May and summer graduates and is based on your cumulative GPA after the previous fall semester. Official status will be determined after final grades are submitted and recorded on the diplomas.
Parking
Parking is free, but limited. Graduates and their guests are strongly encouraged to use public transportation whenever possible. Loyola is most easily accessible via the Red Line train on the “El”. Both the 147 and 151 buses also have many stops close to campus.
If you choose to drive, please adhere to the instructions of the parking and security officers on campus.
Photography & Video
Guests will not be allowed to approach the stage during the ceremony in order to take photos and/or videos. We appreciate your cooperation as we strive to ensure the safety of all graduates and guests.
Chappel Studios will take graduate portraits on the 2nd floor of the Halas Sports Center up until 30 minutes prior to the start of ceremony. During the ceremony, Chappell will take photos of each student as well as shoot a video that will be available for purchase.
A free photo proof and mail form will be mailed to graduates a few weeks after the ceremony. Chappell Studios may also be contacted at 800.247.3435.
Receptions
All graduates and guests are invited to attend a reception on the North Lawn, located to the North of the Gentile Center, immediately following the ceremony. Rain location is Centennial Forum Student Union
Strollers
NO strollers are allowed in the Gentile Center. Please leave them in your car. If you arrive with them, you will be asked to leave them outside the facility.