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Commencement Week is around the corner. From Sunday, May 3 through Saturday, May 9, Loyola University Chicago will celebrate the Class of 2026.
As you prepare for this milestone, take a few minutes to review the key steps in the weeks ahead.
Register for Commencement
Eligible students must register for Commencement ceremonies by Wednesday, April 15, at 11:59 p.m. Changes can be made before this time, but you must resubmit after each update.
Emails regarding registration and Commencement Week are sent from commencement@LUC.edu or your Academic Dean’s Office. Be sure to check spam or junk folders or contact your Academic Dean’s Office if you are not receiving emails.
Find more details on the Commencement website.
Guest tickets and livestreams
Each graduate may request up to six guest tickets during registration. Guests must present a ticket at the door, and tickets will be emailed to graduates’ Loyola email in late April along with one parking pass.
Graduates do not need a ticket for themselves, but you must be registered to participate.
All ceremonies will be livestreamed at LUC.edu/commencement for family and friends who are unable to attend in person.
Please note that tickets may not be sold or purchased.
Order caps and gowns
Academic regalia is required to participate in all Commencement ceremonies–and it’s part of what makes the day feel special.
Students may:
- Preorder your caps and gowns through Jostens by March 10. Graduates will pick up preordered regalia at at either Grad Fair in April.
- Purchase from the bookstore starting Wednesday, March 11, after the pre-order period ends.
Students in the Stritch School of Medicine and School of Law should pre-order through Jostens. See the Commencement website for details.
Cords and stoles
Ceremony attire may include cords, hoods, or stoles representing academic distinction, honor society membership, program affiliation, or student organization involvement.
At Loyola, cords represent laudatory status, select student groups, national honor society membership, and/or specific academic achievements. Academic Dean’s Offices will contact students who are graduating with academic distinction (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude) about how to receive cords.
Information about cords and stoles can be found on the Commencement website.
Additional celebrations and traditions
In addition to Commencement ceremonies, graduating students are invited to participate in a variety of end-of-year celebrations.
These include Senior Send-Off, Division of Student Development Graduation Celebrations, Baccalaureate Mass and Blessing of Graduates along with school-specific blessings, the Graduate, Professional, & Adult Toast, Senior Toast, and other campus traditions.
Visit the Commencement website for a full list of events and registration details.
Congratulations to the soon-to-be graduates—be sure to check your Loyola email regularly for updates as May approaches.
