Returnee Participation

If you earned your Purdue degree but were unable to attend your original commencement, you may be eligible to participate in a future ceremony. Follow the steps below to request returnee participation.

Returnee Eligibility

Graduates who did not participate in their original commencement may request to join a future ceremony.

Important: You must have already been awarded your degree to return for a ceremony. Students cannot participate early, and candidates cannot be added solely to walk before they are eligible.

Please note:

Spring ceremonies cannot accommodate returnee participation at this time.
Requests must be submitted by Sept. 1 for consideration.
Degree completion must be verified before approval.

Graduate standing in Elliott Hall of Music

2026 Venue Change

Elliott Hall of Music will be closed June 9, 2026 – Jan. 16, 2027 for a major ceiling replacement project. As a result:

Summer and winter 2026 ceremonies will be combined.
The combined ceremony will take place December 2026 in Mackey Arena.
Returnees may wish to select this December 2026 ceremony option.
- Your request must be received by Sept. 1 in order to be eligible to participate.

How to Request Returnee Participation

Step 1: Submit Your Request

Choose one of the eligible returnee ceremonies and submit your participation request.

Step 2: Create a Former Student Login

Once your request is approved and you’re assigned to a ceremony, you’ll need to create a new account as a former student to access the Commencement Task List.

If you’ve been approved to return and assigned to a commencement ceremony, you’ll need to create a former student account to access the Commencement portal. Follow the steps below.

1. Create your former student account

Visit the Former Student Login page.
Select “Register for a new account.”

You’ll be taken to the Account Request Form.

2. Submit the Account Request Form

Click the Account Request Form button.
Enter a valid email address (the system will check whether the email is already in use). This will be your username going forward.
If the email is available, complete the required fields.
Agree to the University’s IT policies.
Check the “I’m not a robot” box.
Select Submit.

An email with a link to activate your account is on its way.

3. Activate your account

Open the email and click the activation link.
On the Account Activation page, create your password and set up your challenge questions.
Select Submit to finish creating your account.

If the system says an account already exists

If the system finds an existing account with your information, you’ll see an “Account Found” message. Select Reset Password, and an email will be sent to help you update your password and log in.