{"id":352,"date":"2025-11-24T22:00:16","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T22:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.dev.www.purdue.edu\/commencement\/?page_id=352"},"modified":"2026-09-21T21:39:16","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T21:39:16","slug":"day-of-commencement","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/commencement\/graduates\/day-of-commencement\/","title":{"rendered":"Day of Commencement"},"content":{"rendered":"\n    <div  class=\"purdue-home-diagonal-hero has-none-background minheight-500\">\n        <div class=\"section has-padding-top-large has-padding-bottom-large\">\n            <div class=\"purdue-home-diagonal-hero__content\">\n                \n                                                        <h1 class=\"second-level-page-heading purdue-home-diagonal-hero__header\">Day of Commencement<\/h1>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"purdue-home-diagonal-hero__subtext\">\n\n                        \n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Commencement day is an exciting milestone \u2014 and we want you to feel prepared from the moment you arrive. Use the guide below to&nbsp;know&nbsp;exactly where to go, what to&nbsp;bring&nbsp;and how the ceremony will unfold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>There is no rehearsal for commencement.<\/em><\/p>\n\n                    <\/div>\n                \n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"image\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Graduates checking in before commencement in the Purdue armory\" src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/JG-22008_GRADUATES_dayof_hero_1920.jpg\"\/>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n<div  class=\"section has-gold-background \">\n    <div class=\"container\">\n                \n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns page-layout-columns columns is-multiline is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column column is-full-tablet page-layout-main is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Before You Arrive<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Make sure you complete the following ahead of your ceremony:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Review your division&#8217;s date and time on the <a href=\"\/commencement\/ceremonies\/schedule\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"12\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ceremonies Schedule<\/a><strong>.<\/strong> All times listed are&nbsp;<strong>Eastern Time<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Read the check-in and procession instructions&nbsp;so you know where to go and when.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Share the <a href=\"\/commencement\/families-and-guests\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Families and Guests page<\/a>&nbsp;with friends and family.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Plan to arrive at Holloway Gymnasium wearing your cap and gown&nbsp;<strong>90 minutes&nbsp;before<\/strong>&nbsp;your ceremony&nbsp;starts.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column column is-one-quarter-desktop is-full-tablet is-full-mobile page-layout-sidebar is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div  class=\"section \">\n    <div class=\"container\">\n                \n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns page-layout-columns columns is-multiline is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column column is-full-tablet page-layout-main is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Check-in Instructions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Location:<\/strong>&nbsp;Holloway Gymnasium<br><strong>Arrival Time:<\/strong>&nbsp;90 minutes&nbsp;before your ceremony&nbsp;<br><strong>Attire:<\/strong>&nbsp;Cap and gown must be worn upon arrival&nbsp;<br><strong>Bags:<\/strong>&nbsp;Leave all bags at home or in your vehicle; storage is not available<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you arrive, you&#8217;ll:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Check in with your&nbsp;college or school&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Receive honor cords (if eligible)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Receive your&nbsp;orator card&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take your&nbsp;professional portrait&nbsp;(available only if you arrive on time)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pick up your&nbsp;commencement program&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Line up for the academic procession into Mackey Arena<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you arrive less than&nbsp;90 minutes&nbsp;before your ceremony, you may not have time to complete all check-in steps and may&nbsp;forfeit&nbsp;your portrait opportunity.&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"\/commencement\/families-and-guests\/#photos\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learn more about photography and video at the ceremony<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>If you arrive after the ceremony begins, you will not be&nbsp;permitted&nbsp;to&nbsp;participate.&nbsp;<\/strong>You may request to return for a future ceremony by emailing&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:commencement@purdue.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>commencement@purdue.edu<\/strong><\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column column is-one-quarter-desktop is-full-tablet is-full-mobile page-layout-sidebar is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div  class=\"section \">\n    <div class=\"container\">\n                \n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns page-layout-columns columns is-multiline is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column column is-full-tablet page-layout-main is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Procession Instructions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The academic procession begins\u00a0<strong>approximately 35 minutes before<\/strong>\u00a0the published ceremony\u00a0start time.\u00a0If an emergency delays your arrival\u00a0<em>after<\/em>\u00a0the procession begins, <strong>do\u00a0not<\/strong>\u00a0join the line.\u00a0Report directly to the\u00a0Atrium entrance of Mackey Arena&#8217;s north entrance lobby\u00a0for instructions \u2014 located directly across from the Holloway Gymnasium entrance.\u00a0If you arrive after the ceremony has officially started, you will not be\u00a0permitted\u00a0to\u00a0participate\u00a0and must request returnee approval for a future ceremony.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div  class=\"section \">\n    <div class=\"container\">\n                \n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns page-layout-columns columns is-multiline is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column column is-full-tablet page-layout-main is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Additional Guidance for Graduate Students<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Master\u2019s graduates<\/strong>: Wear your hood during the procession.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>PhD graduates<\/strong>: Carry your hood over your&nbsp;left arm,&nbsp;velvet facing outward.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Hooding Information (PhD Only)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All PhD candidates are hooded on stage. Your Major Professor will hood you; if they cannot attend, a dean will perform the hooding.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div  class=\"purdue-home-cta-stack has-black-background \">\n    <div class=\"section has-padding-top-large has-padding-bottom-large\">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n                            <div class=\"purdue-home-cta-stack__intro\">\n                                            <h2 class=\"purdue-home-intro-text__header header-font-united purdue-home-cta-stack__header\"><strong>Guest Information<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n                                                                <div class=\"purdue-home-cta-stack__content\">\n                            \n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please direct your guests to our&nbsp;Families and Guests page for more information on:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n                        <\/div>\n                                    <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"purdue-home-cta-stack__cards\">\n                    <div class=\"columns\">\n                                                    <div class=\"column\">\n                                                                <a class=\"purdue-home-cta-card purdue-home-cta-card--horizontal\" href=\"\/commencement\/families-and-guests\/#parking\" target=\"_blank\">\n                                    <figure class=\"image\">\n                                        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"purdue-home-background-image\" alt=\"Family posing in front of Purdue Extra Special train on graduation day\" src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025_KAL_2480_GRADUATES_dayof_arrivalparking_268.jpg\" \/>\n                                    <\/figure>\n                                    <div class=\"flex-container flex-container--align-center\">\n                                        <h3 class=\"purdue-home-cta-stack__card-title\">Arrival and parking<\/h3>\n                                        <p class=\"purdue-home-cta-stack__card-subtext\"><\/p>\n                                    <\/div>\n                                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                                                    <div class=\"column\">\n                                                                <a class=\"purdue-home-cta-card purdue-home-cta-card--horizontal\" href=\"\/commencement\/families-and-guests\/#ticket-information\" target=\"_blank\">\n                                    <figure class=\"image\">\n                                        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"purdue-home-background-image\" alt=\"Woman showing QR code ticket for entering commencement\" src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025_KAL_2873_GRADUATES_dayof_ticketing_268.jpg\" \/>\n                                    <\/figure>\n                                    <div class=\"flex-container flex-container--align-center\">\n                                        <h3 class=\"purdue-home-cta-stack__card-title\">Tickets<\/h3>\n                                        <p class=\"purdue-home-cta-stack__card-subtext\"><\/p>\n                                    <\/div>\n                                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                                                    <div class=\"column\">\n                                                                <a class=\"purdue-home-cta-card purdue-home-cta-card--horizontal\" href=\"\/commencement\/families-and-guests\/#accommodations\" target=\"_blank\">\n                                    <figure class=\"image\">\n                                        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"purdue-home-background-image\" alt=\"Golf cart providing accessibility for graduation attendees\" src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025_KAL_3736_GRADUATES_dayof_accomodations_268.jpg\" \/>\n                                    <\/figure>\n                                    <div class=\"flex-container flex-container--align-center\">\n                                        <h3 class=\"purdue-home-cta-stack__card-title\">Accessibility accommodations<\/h3>\n                                        <p class=\"purdue-home-cta-stack__card-subtext\"><\/p>\n                                    <\/div>\n                                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                                                    <div class=\"column\">\n                                                                <a class=\"purdue-home-cta-card purdue-home-cta-card--horizontal\" href=\"\/commencement\/families-and-guests\/#security\" target=\"_blank\">\n                                    <figure class=\"image\">\n                                        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"purdue-home-background-image\" alt=\"Close up of graduate holding a diploma\" src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025_KAL_3293_GRADUATES_ceremony-policies_268.jpg\" \/>\n                                    <\/figure>\n                                    <div class=\"flex-container flex-container--align-center\">\n                                        <h3 class=\"purdue-home-cta-stack__card-title\">Ceremony policies<\/h3>\n                                        <p class=\"purdue-home-cta-stack__card-subtext\"><\/p>\n                                    <\/div>\n                                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n    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