Attention Graduates! All information regarding Commencement will be sent to your luc.edu email address. This includes details pertaining to your ceremonies, as well as official photography and other activities. It is the responsibility of each graduate to maintain your luc.edu email address and check it frequently for updates and information.

If you are not receiving the Commencement communications please click here.

   TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• Ceremony Information: what you need to know about your Graduation Day
• Academic Apparel
• Baccalaureate Mass
• Diplomas
• Graduation/Matriculation Fee
• Laudatory Status
• Photography & Video
• Receptions
• Senior Send-Off
• Tickets
• Communications

Ceremony Information: What you need to know about your Graduation Day

Joseph J. Gentile Arena: All graduates whose ceremony takes place in Gentile Arena are required to report to the Rambler Room in CFSU no less than 45 minutes before the start of the ceremony.  Graduates should check-in with University staff to receive their seating cards and any additional instructions.  Once you have your seating card, proceed directly to the Gentile Arena to your assigned seat.

Mundelein Auditorium (SCPS Graduates Only): SCPS Graduates are required to report to the first floor of the Mundelein Center no later than 45 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. You will check in with University staff and receive instructions for the graduate processional.

Seating Cards: All graduates must report to the CFSU Rambler Room no later than 45 minutes before the start of the ceremony.  Graduates will check-in with University staff and receive their seating card.  Keep the seating card with you at all times!  Any student who misplaces their seating card should contact University staff immediately.

Cellular Phones: In order to avoid disruptions, graduates and their guests are asked to please refrain from using cell phones during the Commencement ceremony.

Live Video-streaming of Commencement Ceremonies: All of the Commencement ceremonies are available in a real-time online video feed from the Joseph J. Gentile Arena and the Mundelein Theatre. This is a great opportunity for family and friends who were unable to travel to Chicago, could not attend for health reasons, or simply could not get tickets, to see you graduate with your classmates. Please check the Commencement home page on the day of the ceremony for a link.

Information for Your Guests

Academic Apparel

ALL degree candidates who plan to participate in their graduation ceremony must wear academic apparel that is purchased from Oak Hall Cap & Gown through the Grad Fair or Loyola Bookstore.

Grad Fair
The Grad Fair is an event sponsored by the Loyola Bookstore that serves as an opportunity for students to purchase their academic apparel, have portraits taken and place orders for other graduation-related items (diploma frames, class rings, announcements, etc.) Grad Fair is held at the Lake Shore and Water Tower campuses:

Lake Shore Campus
March 21 from 12:00pm - 6:00pm (southwest lobby of Norville Center)
March 22 from 10:00am - 5:00pm (southwest lobby of Norville Center)

Water Tower Campus
April 3, 12:00pm - 7:00pm (TSC 303-304, Baumhart Hall)

PhD, EdD and Law graduates
PhD and EdD academic apparel is rented through Oak Hall Cap & Gown.  This apparel may be secured at the Grad Fair or online. Law graduates must wear academic apparel that is rented from Oak Hall Cap & Gown. All orders must be placed online.

All rented apparel may be picked up in the CFSU Rambler Room on the following dates and times:

CFSU Rambler Room Distribution Hours
Thursday, May 10: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Friday, May 11:  8:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Saturday, May 12: 8:30 AM to 700 PM
Saturday, May 19: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Law – Location: Norville Intercollegiate Athletic Center)

Any graduate interested in purchasing custom doctoral regalia can do so at Oak Hall website.

Loyola Bookstore

The Loyola Bookstores at Lake Shore Campus and Water Tower Campus are an excellent resource for Graduation-related questions. Academic apparel, class rings and announcements are available for purchase at the bookstore on both campuses.

Graduate Guide to Academic Colors

Baccalaureate Mass

The Baccalaureate Mass will be held during Commencement weekend in the Joseph J. Gentile Arena on the Lake Shore Campus. Graduates and their families are invited to attend the mass as well as a reception afterwards in the Richard J. Klarchek Information Commons. Graduates may wear their academic apparel if they wish. Please contact Sacramental Life for additional information or questions.

Diplomas

Diplomas are ordered after all final grades have been processed.  Ensure that your permanent address is correct at www.luc.edu/locus. You may want to claim your diploma in person at the Water Tower Campus Office of Registration & Records (LT 504) if you inform the office prior to June 1st.  If you elect to pick up your diploma, you will receive an email when it becomes available.

Diplomas will be mailed to students, or available for pickup, as follows:

Fall Graduate Business Students: Mid-January, the following year 
Fall Graduate and Undergraduate Students: Early March, the following year 
Fall Law School Students: Late March, the following year  
Winter Graduate Business Students: the following Mid-April 
Spring Graduate, Graduate Business, Undergraduate Students: Late July 
Spring Law School Students: Late August  
Summer Graduate Business Students: Early October 
Summer Graduate and Undergraduate Students: Late October

Contact Registration & Records for further information.

Law School students wishing to pick up their diplomas may do so in the office of the Law School's Registrar, 25 East Pearson, Room 1203, Water Tower Campus. If you want your diploma sent to an alternate mailing address, notify the Law Registrar Office at: Law-Registrar@luc.edu prior to June 17, 2011. You will be notified by e-mail when diplomas are available for pickup.

Graduation/Matriculation Fee

Please visit the Office of the Bursar for information on how the graduation and matriculation fees are collected for undergraduate and graduate students.

The graduation/matriculation fee covers the cost of the diploma and cover, program expenses, mailing fees and other expenses associated with graduation. All graduates are listed in the Commencement program and all graduates must pay the fee, regardless of attendance at the ceremony.

Note: Graduation/Matriculation Fees do not apply to Law students.

Laudatory Status

Laudatory status is unofficial for May and summer graduates. Lauds are based on your cumulative GPA following the previous fall semester. Official status will be determined after final grades are submitted and recorded on the diplomas.

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.

Grad Images is the official photographer for the Commencement activities of Loyola University Chicago. Grad Images will take photos of each student during the ceremony, 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. Grad Images may also be contacted at 800.261.2576.

Receptions

All graduates and guests are invited to attend a reception in the Richard J Klarchek Information Commons.

Senior Send-Off

Senior Send-Off events are opportunities for senior students at Loyola University Chicago to celebrate and enjoy the last weeks of being a Loyola student. A complete schedule of events can be found here.

Tickets

The majority of the Commencement ceremonies do not require tickets for admission.  You may bring as many guests as you like. Due to the large numbers of graduates, tickets are required for admission to the College of Arts & Sciences ceremonies and the School of Business Administration ceremonies. Each graduate from the College of Arts & Sciences is limited to four (4) tickets, the quantity of tickets available for the School of Business Administration is yet to be determined. If you are attending one of these ceremonies, be sure to arrange for this with your graduate, as you will not be admitted without a ticket.  Please go to the College of Arts & Sciences ceremony page or The School of Business Administration ceremony page for more information.

Commencement Communications

All information pertaining to Commencement is sent to your luc.edu email address.  All graduates should receive an email from commencement@luc.edu with instructions for how to register to attend your ceremony.  If you have not received an email with these instructions, please go through the following steps:

1. Check with your Dean’s office to make sure your luc.edu email address is correct, and that at least one communication has gone out.
2. Make sure that your invitation email has not been filtered as spam.
3. If your luc.edu email is being forwarded please make sure all your settings are correct. For information on email routing, visit www.luc.edu/its 
4. If none of the above steps remedy your problem please contact technical support at extension 4-4444 or phone number (773) 508-4ITS.