What is the ceremony livestream link?
Do I need tickets to attend the commencement ceremony?
Where do I find parking?
- Parking will be available for graduates and guests in the north lot (J-Lot) outside O’Brien Field.
- Permanant on-campus spaces are designated for persons with disabilities. Additional spaces will be made available, on commencement day, for special needs parking on the north side of Grongier Arena for all ceremonies.
- Additional parking could be located around campus in various student and staff lots.
How do I know if I am graduating with distinction?
- Students graduating with distinction are designated by medallions with corresponding ribbons of gold, white or blue. Undergraduates must have completed 56 hours at EIU to be recognized with distinction. Please contact the Office of the Registrar with any questions regarding distinctions.
- Summa Cum Laude – Gold “With Highest Honors” – GPA: 3.90-4.00
- Magna Cum Laude – White “With High Honor” – GPA: 3.80-3:89
- Cum Laude – Blue “With Honor” – GPA 3.65-3.79
- Medallions may be picked up during ticket distribution.
- Eastern’s Sandra and Jack Pine Honors College celebrates students who have graduated with University and/or Departmental Honors. University Honors graduates are distinguished as either University Honors Laureates (with 26 hours of Honors coursework) or Honors Scholars (With 15 hours of Honors coursework). Departmental Honors Program graduates have typically completed a minimum of 12 hours of coursework in a Departmental Honors Program including a senior thesis. To be recognized Honors graduates must have a GPA 3.5 or higher.
Where do I order my cap and gown?
- Cap and gown rentals or custom regalia can be ordered through Herff Jones at https://colleges.herffjones.com/college/_eiu/. Late charges will apply, if ordered after the deadline. Do not order a cap and gown if you have not applied to graduate through PAWS or submitted the exceptionality form to participate.
- To order your cap and gown, you will need to know the college you are graduating from, your degree earned, and height, weight and cap size. Instructions on how to find your cap size are available at https://colleges.herffjones.com/college/_eiu/.
- Please contact Patty Storie at PAStorie@herffjones.com with any questions regarding your cap and gown.
How do I receive my cap and gown?
- Graduates will have the option to pick up their cap and gown during ticket/cap and gown distribution on the Monday and Tuesday of commencement week, or graduates can choose to have their cap and gown shipped to their home address for a shipping fee. The shipping fee includes a pre-paid return label.
- Please contact Patty Storie at PAStorie@herffjones.com with any questions regarding your cap and gown.
Where do I return my cap and gown?
Are caps allowed to be decorated?
When do I receive my diploma?
- Participation in the commencement ceremony does not mean you have completed your degree requirements and graduated. Your graduation is not official until your certifying dean’s office has sent notification of completion of all degree requirements to the Registrar’s Office and the degree has been posted to your record.
- Please make sure your address is updated with the Office of the Registrar to reflect where you want your diploma sent eight-twelve weeks after you graduate.
What do I need to do if I did not participate in a past commencement ceremony, after previously applying to graduate and meeting the criteria, and want to participate in an upcoming commencement ceremony?
Please complete the exceptionality request for your college, as this will signify to the commencement office that you are wanting to participate in a commencement ceremony and further communication could be sent via email and to your mailing addresses.
Exceptionality Links:
- The Graduate School
- College of Education
- College of Health and Human Services
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Lumpkin College of Business and Technology
College/School Contacts for Exceptionality:
College of Education & School of Extended Learning
Michelle Rhine (217-581-2524)
mdrhine@eiu.edu
College of Health and Human Services
Tiffany Swalls (217-581-6902)
taswalls@eiu.edu
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Angie Cawthon (217-581-5221)
amcawthon@eiu.edu
Lumpkin College of Business and Technology
Tiffany Swalls (217-581-6902)
taswalls@eiu.edu
The Graduate School
Melanee Bates (217-581-2220)
mbates@eiu.edu