Information for Students
Congratulations Graduates!
We hope you had a wonderful commencement ceremony and were able to celebrate all your amazing accomplishments! Please see below for important post commencement information:
Final Grades
Final grades for 2023 Spring term are due May 24, at 9:00 AM.
Once all final grades have been submitted and posted, our degree evaluator will post your degree conferral.
Diplomas
Diplomas will be available for pick-up beginning Thursday, June 1 through Friday, June 16. Diploma pick-up will be held in The Office of Registration and Records, Goebel Hall, Room 105.
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
All diplomas not picked up by Friday, June 16 will begin to be mailed out on Tuesday, June 20, (the office will be closed on June 19, in observance of Juneteenth), to the address we have on record for you.
*Please allow 10 -15 business days for your diploma to arrive via USPS.
Please check your Self-Service account to ensure we have the correct home address for you.
Instructions on how to check & update home address on Self-Service below:
- Login to Self-Service account
- Select “User Options and Other Links” drop down on the left-hand side and then select “User Profile”.
- Once you have selected “User Profile”, you will see the preferred mailing address listed. If correct no further action is necessary. If incorrect, you can select the “Remove or Edit” option on the right-hand side to update your home address.
Transcripts
To order your official transcript, you must place an order online through the Elmhurst University website, elmhurst.edu, or use the link below.
Official Transcript Ordering Link
Your transcript will not reflect your degree conferral until all grades have been submitted and our degree evaluator has posted degrees.
When placing your transcript order, you can select the option of “Once Degree Has Been Awarded” and your transcript will not be sent out until your degree has officially been posted.
Holds
If you have a business hold, you will be unable to pick up and/or have your diploma and/or transcript sent out until your hold has been removed. Please contact the Office of Student Financial Services regarding any holds you may have.
Office of Student Financial Services
Location: Goebel Hall, Room 108
Phone: (630) 617-3015
Email: sfs@elmhurst.edu
If you have any questions or concerns, please email regrec@elmhurst.edu.
Thank you, and congratulations!
Marching Order
The University is using a partner app called Marching Order to manage guest tickets and coordinate this year’s ceremonies.
For instructions on how to access your guest tickets, click below.
Email commencement@elmhurst.edu with any questions.
Tips for the Ceremony
Please limit the personal belongings you bring to the ceremony, as there will not be a designated spot to leave them. You are encouraged to keep your cell phone with you to scan your QR code before stepping on stage and for taking photos and videos of your big day.
Attire
Cap and Gown: Make sure you pick up your previously ordered cap and gown and guest tickets. We suggest lightly steaming or ironing the gown (on a cool setting) so that it is wrinkle-free.
Shoes: All graduates will be staging on Langhorst Field and will be walking from Langhorst Field to the Mall. We encourage you to wear comfortable shoes and avoid heels.
Graduate Ceremony (8:45 a.m.): Graduates will be hooded on stage by their program director. We ask that all graduates drape their hood over their right forearm for the processional under the tent and up to the stage.
Undergraduate Ceremonies (11:45 a.m. and 2:45 p.m.): White-and-blue provided tassel or honors tassel.
Schedule
About 30 minutes before the start of your ceremony, University staff will let you know of any changes and run through some reminders.
About 20 minutes before your ceremony begins, we will have you line up in a single-file line alphabetically along the track. The ringing of the Hash Bell signals the beginning of the processional. You will be processed in and guided by marshals to your seat under the tent.
Marshals and ushers will be on hand to guide you to your seats. Programs will be on your chairs and water will be under each chair.
Presentation of Degrees
A marshal will assist you by indicating when to stand (your whole row stands together) and how to approach the stage.
- Leave your program on your seat.
- Bring your phone to scan your Grad Pass (QR code) OR your printed Grad Pass that will be handed out upon check-in.
Crossing the Stage
- Scan your Grad Pass (QR code).
- Your name will be read, and you will walk to President VanAken to receive your diploma cover, shake the president’s hand, and pose for a photo.
- If you are uncomfortable with any physical contact, please give him a sign. Preferably crossing your arms over your chest.
Exiting the Stage
An additional photo will be taken by Grad Images when you exit the stage. Following the photo, please return down the aisle on the north side of the tent to your seats for the conclusion of the ceremony.
Recessional
The President and platform party will lead everyone in the recessional. Faculty will begin to form the tunnel of applause on the south side Campus Mall blacktop. Marshals will release graduates by row (all stand in the row), through the south side of the tent, to the tunnel of applause toward Kranz Forum.
After the Ceremony
Students and guests are asked to meet at the Kranz Forum on the East side of the Frick Center. The Bluejay Spirit Shop, located in the Frick Center, will be open for graduates and their guests to purchase alumni gear.
Diplomas
Diplomas will not be released to students who have a business hold on their accounts. To clear the hold on your account, please contact the Office of Student Financial Services at sfs@elmhurst.edu or (630) 617-3015.
Honors Tassels
Honors Tassels can be picked up at Grad Finale. You will receive your honors tassels based on your combined GPA from the term most recently completed.
- 3.50–3.699: Blue (Cum Laude)
- 3.70–3.899: Silver (Magna Cum Laude)
- 3.90+: Gold (Summa Cum Laude)
Ordering Transcripts
When you order your transcripts online, select “Hold for Degree” in the processing time box. If you have any questions about ordering transcripts, contact the Office of Registration and Records.