{"id":464,"date":"2025-11-25T16:02:21","date_gmt":"2025-11-25T16:02:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.dev.www.purdue.edu\/commencement\/?page_id=464"},"modified":"2026-06-12T20:00:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T20:00:09","slug":"returning","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/commencement\/graduates\/returning\/","title":{"rendered":"Returnee Participation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n    <div  class=\"purdue-home-diagonal-hero has-gold-background\">\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\"><strong>Returnee Participation<\/strong><\/h1>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"purdue-home-diagonal-hero__subtext\">\n\n                        \n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you earned your Purdue degree but were unable to attend your original commencement, you may be eligible to&nbsp;participate&nbsp;in a future ceremony. Follow the steps below to request returnee participation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n                    <\/div>\n                \n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"image\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Graduate on stage accepting diploma\" src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025_JAU_DSC_2570_GRADUATES_returning_hero_1920.jpg\"\/>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n<div  class=\"section  page-layout-wide\">\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\">Returnee Eligibility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Graduates who did not&nbsp;participate&nbsp;in their original commencement may request to join a future ceremony.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Important:<\/strong>&nbsp;You must have already been awarded your degree to return for&nbsp;a ceremony. Students cannot&nbsp;participate&nbsp;early, and candidates cannot be added solely to walk before they are eligible.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;<strong>Please note:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Spring ceremonies cannot accommodate returnee participation at this time.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Requests must be\u00a0submitted\u00a0by\u00a0<strong>Aug. 7<\/strong>\u00a0for consideration for Winter 2026 returnee signup.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Degree&nbsp;completion must be verified before approval.&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\n<div  class=\"purdue-home-featured-story \">\n    <div class=\"section has-none-background\">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n\n                                            <div class=\"tagged-header-container\">\n                    <h2 class=\"tagged-header tagged-header--gold\"><strong>Announcement<\/strong><\/h2>\n                <\/div>\n            \n            <div class=\"columns purdue-home-featured-story__container\">\n                <div class=\"column purdue-home-featured-story__image-container\">\n\n                                            <figure class=\"image is-16by9\">\n                                                            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"purdue-home-background-image\" alt=\"Graduate standing in Elliott Hall of Music\" src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2024_KAL_1649_GRADUATES_Returning_venue_743.jpg\"\/>\n                                                    <\/figure>\n                    \n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"column purdue-home-featured-story__content-container\">\n                                                                    <h3 class=\"purdue-home-featured-story__header\">2026\u00a0Venue Change<\/h3>\n                    \n                    \n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Elliott Hall of Music will be closed&nbsp;<strong>June 9, 2026 \u2013 Jan. 16, 2027<\/strong> for a major ceiling replacement project.&nbsp;As a result:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Summer and Winter 2026 ceremonies will be combined<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The combined ceremony will take place&nbsp;<strong>December 2026 in Mackey Arena<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Returnees may wish to select this December 2026 ceremony&nbsp;option.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your request must be received by <strong>Aug. 7<\/strong> in order to be eligible to participate.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n                    \n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div  class=\"section  page-layout-wide\">\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\">How to Request Returnee Participation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1:&nbsp;Submit&nbsp;Your Request&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Choose one of the eligible returnee ceremonies and&nbsp;submit&nbsp;your participation request.<\/p>\n\n\n<div  class=\"purdue-home-buttons purdue-home-buttons--left \">\n    <div class=\"purdue-home-button-list\">\n                    <div class=\"\"><a class=\"purdue-home-button \" href=\"https:\/\/sswis.mypurdue.purdue.edu\/PurdueStudentSS\/ceremonyRequest\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Register for a Ceremony (Opens in a new tab)\">Register for a Ceremony<\/a><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 2: Create a Former Student Login&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once your request is approved and you&#8217;re assigned to&nbsp;a ceremony, you&#8217;ll need to create a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sswis.mypurdue.purdue.edu\/ReturneeCandidate\/login\/auth%20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">new account as a former student<\/a>&nbsp;to access the Commencement Task List.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"purdue-accordion-wrap  purdue-accordion-wrap--small\">\n    <div class=\"section has-none-background has-padding-top-none has-padding-bottom-none has-no-sidepadding\">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n            <div class=\"purdue-accordion\">\n                <h4 class=\"accordion__heading purdue-accordion__title  purdue-accordion__title--small\" id=\"title-395f9497-f037-4d6e-978f-a5e3c701154a\">\n                    <button aria-controls=\"content-395f9497-f037-4d6e-978f-a5e3c701154a\" aria-expanded=\"false\">How to Create a Former Student Account: A Step-by-Step Guide\u00a0<\/button>\n                <\/h4>\n                <div class=\"accordion__content purdue-accordion__content\" id=\"content-395f9497-f037-4d6e-978f-a5e3c701154a\" hidden aria-hidden=\n                \"true\">\n                    \n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If&nbsp;you\u2019ve&nbsp;been approved to return and assigned to a commencement ceremony,&nbsp;you\u2019ll&nbsp;need to create a former student account to access the Commencement portal. Follow the steps below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Create your former student account&nbsp;<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n<li>Visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/sswis.mypurdue.purdue.edu\/ReturneeCandidate\/login\/auth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Former Student Login page<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Select&nbsp;<strong>\u201cRegister for a new account.\u201d<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n<li><\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You\u2019ll&nbsp;be taken to the Account Request Form.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2.&nbsp;Submit&nbsp;the Account Request Form&nbsp;<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n<li>Click the&nbsp;<strong>Account Request Form<\/strong>&nbsp;button.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Enter a valid email address (the system will check whether the email is already in use). This will be your username going forward.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n<li>If the email is available, complete the required fields.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Agree to the University\u2019s IT policies.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Check the&nbsp;<strong>\u201cI\u2019m not a robot\u201d<\/strong>&nbsp;box.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Select&nbsp;<strong>Submit<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An email with a link to activate your account is on its way.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Activate your account&nbsp;<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n<li>Open the email and click the activation link.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n<li>On the Account Activation page, create your password and set up your challenge questions.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Select&nbsp;<strong>Submit<\/strong>&nbsp;to finish creating your account.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If the system says an account already exists&nbsp;<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the system finds an existing account with your information,&nbsp;you\u2019ll&nbsp;see an&nbsp;<strong>\u201cAccount Found\u201d<\/strong>&nbsp;message.&nbsp;Select&nbsp;<strong>Reset Password<\/strong>, and an email will be sent to help you update your password and log in.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Log in to the Commencement portal&nbsp;<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Return to the login page and sign in using the email and password you set up.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You&#8217;ll be taken to the&nbsp;<strong>Commencement<\/strong>&nbsp;tab, where&nbsp;you\u2019ll&nbsp;complete your required steps. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 3: Complete Your Commencement Tasks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Log in to the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sswis.mypurdue.purdue.edu\/ReturneeCandidate\/login\/auth%20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Purdue Commencement Participation System<\/a>&nbsp;using your former student credentials.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You&#8217;ll see the Commencement tab, where you must complete all required items \u2014 the same tasks assigned to current candidates.&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 has-padding-top-none  page-layout-wide\">\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<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Need Help?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you have questions, contact&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:commencement@purdue.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">commencement@purdue.edu<\/a>.&nbsp;We\u2019re&nbsp;here to help you return and celebrate your&nbsp;achievement.&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=\"purdue-home-cta-grid has-none-background \">\n        <div class=\"section\">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n                            <div class=\"purdue-home-cta-grid__cards\">\n                    <div class=\"columns is-multiline\">\n                                                    <div class=\"column is-half-tablet is-3-desktop\">\n                                                                <div class=\"purdue-home-cta-card purdue-home-cta-card--stack\">\n                                                                            <figure class=\"image is-16by9\">\n                                            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"purdue-home-background-image\" alt=\"Graduates reading program while waiting in the armory before commencement\"\n                                                 src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2024_KAL_2125_GRADUATES_returning_schedule_743.jpg\"\/>\n                                        <\/figure>\n                                                                        <div class=\"flex-container flex-container--align-center\">\n                                                                                \n                                        <h2 class=\"purdue-home-cta-grid__card-title\">\n                                            Ceremonies Schedule                                        <\/h2>\n\n                                        <div class=\"purdue-home-button-list\">                                            <div><a class=\"purdue-home-button \" href=\"\/commencement\/ceremonies\/schedule\/\" target=\"_blank\">Upcoming Ceremonies<\/a><\/div>\n                                        <\/div>                                    <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                                                        <div class=\"column is-half-tablet is-3-desktop\">\n                                                                <div class=\"purdue-home-cta-card purdue-home-cta-card--stack\">\n                                                                            <figure class=\"image is-16by9\">\n                                            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"purdue-home-background-image\" alt=\"Graduate shaking hands with faculty after receiving diploma on stage\"\n                                                 src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2023_RR26942_GRADUATES_returning_timeline_743.jpg\"\/>\n                                        <\/figure>\n                                                                        <div class=\"flex-container flex-container--align-center\">\n                                                                                \n                                        <h2 class=\"purdue-home-cta-grid__card-title\">\n                                            Your Timeline to Prepare                                        <\/h2>\n\n                                        <div class=\"purdue-home-button-list\">                                            <div><a class=\"purdue-home-button \" href=\"\/commencement\/graduates\/your-commencement-timeline\/\" target=\"_blank\">Key Dates and Deadlines<\/a><\/div>\n                                        <\/div>                                    <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                                                        <div class=\"column is-half-tablet is-3-desktop\">\n                                                                <div class=\"purdue-home-cta-card purdue-home-cta-card--stack\">\n                                                                            <figure class=\"image is-16by9\">\n                                            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"purdue-home-background-image\" alt=\"Graduate and faculty posing for a photo while walking to commencement\"\n                                                 src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2024__RJR4449_GRADUATES_dayof_743.jpg\"\/>\n                                        <\/figure>\n                                                                        <div class=\"flex-container flex-container--align-center\">\n                                                                                \n                                        <h2 class=\"purdue-home-cta-grid__card-title\">\n                                            Ceremony Day Details                                        <\/h2>\n\n                                        <div class=\"purdue-home-button-list\">                                            <div><a class=\"purdue-home-button \" href=\"\/commencement\/graduates\/day-of-commencement\/\" target=\"_blank\">What to expect<\/a><\/div>\n                                        <\/div>                                    <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                                                        <div class=\"column is-half-tablet is-3-desktop\">\n                                                                <div class=\"purdue-home-cta-card purdue-home-cta-card--stack\">\n                                                                            <figure class=\"image is-16by9\">\n                                            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"purdue-home-background-image\" alt=\"Two graduates posing for a photo while waiting in armory before commencement\"\n                                                 src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025_RJR3753_GRADUATES_returning_attire_743.jpg\"\/>\n                                        <\/figure>\n                                                                        <div class=\"flex-container flex-container--align-center\">\n                                                                                \n                                        <h2 class=\"purdue-home-cta-grid__card-title\">\n                                            Required Attire                                        <\/h2>\n\n                                        <div class=\"purdue-home-button-list\">                                            <div><a class=\"purdue-home-button \" href=\"\/commencement\/graduates\/attire\/\" target=\"_blank\">Explore Regalia<\/a><\/div>\n                                        <\/div>                                    <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                                                <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n    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