{"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":"2026-09-03T17:45:33","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T17:45:33","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 the Armory&nbsp;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>\u00a0Holloway Gymnasium<br><strong>Arrival Time:<\/strong>\u00a090 minutes\u00a0before your ceremony\u00a0<br><strong>Attire:<\/strong>\u00a0Cap and gown must be worn upon arrival\u00a0<br><strong>Bags:<\/strong>\u00a0Leave 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 Elliott Hall of Music<\/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 north entrance lobby\u00a0for instructions.\u00a0The Atrium entrance is located directly across from the entrance to Holloway Gymnasium.\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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