Information for Graduates
Attendance: If you are scheduled to graduate and do not plan to participate in Commencement, please email Lyndi Bahr to be removed from the line-up.
Attire: Students participating in Commencement are expected to wear proper academic attire to rehearsal and to Commencement. You may order caps, gowns, diploma frames, announcements and other graduation merchandise at the Commencement Fair on March 27th and March 28th, 2020. If you miss the fair, you may order items through the bookstore.
Commencement Fair – March 25 – 26: Stop in and purchase your cap and gown. Representatives will also be on hand to assist with purchasing custom invitations, frames, and other Commencement related items.
Commencement Rehearsal – May 14: Students will receive Commencement instructions, have their class and departmental pictures taken, and then take part in the senior send-off hosted by the senior class. Proper academic attire (cap, gown, tassel, and medallion) is required.
Senior Celebration – May 29: Senior Celebration is a reception for both graduates and their parents and is hosted by the Office of Alumni Relations and Student Affairs. Registration for this event will open later in the spring and graduates will receive registration information directly once it is available.
Commencement Brunch – May 30: You and your family are invited to a special brunch the morning of Commencement. Ticketing for this event will go live in February 2020.
Commencement – May 30: Participating seniors will report to Hatfield Hall by 10:00 a.m. to check-in. At this time, any honors cords earned will be distributed.
Information for Family and Friends
Senior Celebration – May 29: Senior Celebration is a reception for both graduates and their parents and is hosted by the Office of Alumni Relations and Student Affairs. Registration for this event will open later in the spring and graduates will receive registration information directly once it is available.
Commencement Brunch – May 29: You are invited to a special brunch the morning of Commencement. Ticketing for this event will go live in February 2020.
Commencement – May 30: Tickets are not required to attend Commencement and there is not a limit to how many guests a graduate is allowed. As a courtesy to all guests, we ask that you not hold seats for others. If you require handicap access or seating for hearing impaired, you may request it in advance by contacting Lyndi Bahr in the Office of Student Affairs. Handicap parking is also available. Also, be sure to grab your complimentary cup of coffee in Hulbert Arena on the way in!
Photographs: The Sports and Recreation Center is not suited for long-range photography, especially flash photography. A professional photographer from Grad Images will be present on stage at the ceremony to take a photograph of each graduate as they receive their diploma from the President as well as a posed photo when they come off the stage. Those photographs will be available on their website. You can also reach them at 800-261-2576.
Other Commencement-related events and activities are available here.
Webcast: People unable to attend, but wishing to view the ceremony, can watch the event through a live webcast starting at 10:45 a.m. What an exciting time for graduates, as well as family and friends!
Day of Traffic:
8:00 a.m. The drive leading past BSB toward the SRC will be open however no parking will be allowed in any of the parking spaces adjacent to BSB Hall from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. Students who live in BSB Hall should plan accordingly as no loading of vehicles can be allowed adjacent to the building. This does not prevent individuals from loading their vehicles while parked in our large lots. We must keep this area completely clear of vehicles in preparation for the Commencement procession lineup.
10:00 a.m. The main entrance, the roadway leading to Hatfield Hall, and the roadway directly south of Olin Hall will close to ALL traffic. We close the south portion of the campus to ensure the safety of all campus community members involved in the procession. You can still enter and exit the campus by using the Hunt St east access drive and the Circle K gas station entrance on US40.
10:30 a.m. All campus roadways will close to traffic until after the Commencement procession enters the Sports and Recreation Center. During this time, the campus can be accessed via the Hunt Street east access drive and the Circle K entrance on US40. Guests entering during this time should plan to park in the Myers or Hatfield parking lots.
11:00 a.m. (approximately): All campus roadways will open and traffic flow will return to normal.
Day of Parking: The Sports and Recreation Center west parking lot will be the designated handicap parking area. Approximately 90 spaces will be reserved for this purpose. As noted above, be aware that all roadways will close at 10:30 a.m. and at that point the handicap reserve area will no longer be available.
Lodging and Dining: The Terre Haute Convention and Visitors Bureau has gathered all the information you need for lodging or eating out.
