To learn when and where to arrive, as well as details on seating, parking, and more, see the instructions below.
What happens once I arrive?
All graduates are to arrive to Hayman Hall no later than 1 hour prior to their ceremony start time.
Graduates are to be dressed in their regalia and academic hood upon arrival.
Doctoral candidates will carry their doctoral hoods into the ceremony and will be hooded on stage.
All graduates will check-in with a representative from the Registrar’s Office and receive their name card.
Doctoral candidates will receive their dissertation title card as well.
If you have chosen not to have your name announced, you will still receive a card designating your request not to have your name announced.
It is imperative to follow the above directions to ensure that all candidates are in procession order no later than 30 minutes prior to their ceremony start time.
When will guest seating open?
Guest seating will open 1 hour prior to the ceremony start time.
Where do my family and guests go?
All family members and guests enter McCarthy Stadium through the 20th Street Main Campus Entrance or South Campus Parking Lots.
A handicap drop-off area will be designated for individuals needing assistance at the 20th Street Main Campus Entrance. NOTE: 20th Street will be closed to all other vehicular traffic.
What happens during the ceremony?
The ceremony will begin promptly with a procession of graduates, faculty, and the stage party.
Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony
As each academic school is announced, graduates will be led to the stage by a marshal.
Volunteers will collect name cards prior to each graduate ascending the stage. The Dean of each academic school will read each graduate’s name, they will be congratulated on stage by the President and have their photo taken.
Graduate Commencement Ceremony
Doctoral candidates will process to their designated seating section and will carry their hoods over their left arm. (It is advised that the candidate and program director practice hooding prior to the ceremony. Candidates may choose not to wear their cap onto the stage to assist with the hooding process.)
Master’s candidates will wear their hoods and process to their designated seating section.
As each academic school is announced, candidates will be led to the stage by a marshal.
Once the doctoral candidates reach the stairs, volunteers will collect their name and dissertation title cards prior to ascending the stage. Their respective Dean will then read each candidate’s name and their dissertation title. Candidates will be congratulated by the President, hooded by their program director and have their photo taken before descending from the stage.
Once the master’s candidates reach the stairs, volunteers will collect their name cards prior to ascending the stage. Their respective Dean will then read each candidate’s name. Candidates will be congratulated by the President and have their photo taken before descending from the stage.
Graduates who have chosen not to have their name announced will still be congratulated on the stage by the President and have their photo taken.
It is important to move swiftly to ensure graduates are on stage when their name is announced. Please do not take time to have a conversation with those on stage and keep moving.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All candidates should refrain from bringing bags, backpacks, or purses with them to the ceremony as you might not return to the same seat after descending from the stage.
Does everyone wear regalia?
This is an academic ceremony and, as such, academic regalia is required to participate in the procession. Learn more.
Only those students in full academic regalia (cap, gown, and hood) will be permitted to process in the ceremony. The only exceptions will be for those in military uniform.
Where should I park?
Several La Salle University parking lots will be open beginning at 8:00 a.m. and will be free for graduates and their guests. Visit the Parking page for additional details.
Since the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony will be ending at 12 p.m., we anticipate there will be significant traffic coming to and from campus prior to the Graduate Commencement Ceremony. Ample parking should be available in our designated lots, however. Please plan accordingly.
What accommodations have been made for individuals with disabilities?
Please visit the Accessibility page for more information.
Anything else?
Determine a meeting location with your guests before they take their seats.
Alcoholic beverages and items that can interfere with the ceremony (helium balloons, beach balls, bullhorns, etc.) are NOT permitted and will be confiscated.
All graduating students should be in Hayman Hall no later than 1 hour prior to their ceremony start time for the procession. There will be thousands of people entering and walking throughout McCarthy Stadium. Latecomers will not be permitted to walk with their school during the processional, and they will be seated in the back of their school section.