Commencement Information for Families and Guests

Celebrating your students' graduation is an exciting time!  Hamline welcomes family members and guests of graduating students to join us in this celebration.

GENERAL INFORMATION

 Undergraduate Ceremony ONLY

Outdoor Ceremony 

General seating: General seating at the Old Main mall ceremony site is first-come, first-served, and tickets are not required. Students may invite as many guests as they choose.

Accessible Seating: Students with guests needing accessible seating may reserve tickets for the accessible seating area. There are a limited number of tickets available for this area. Guests will be assisted in this area by our disability services office, as well as event staff members. NOTE: All undergraduate students must sign up at Senior Day to receive tickets. (See "How to sign up for tickets" below.) If a student is unable to attend Senior Day, the student will need to fill out the online Ticket Request Form at the Commencement web site, beginning March 8. 

Indoor Ceremony

General and Accessible Seating: Tickets are required for all seating in Hutton Arena. Every graduate may have up to two tickets. Only graduates may sign up for tickets. Graduates and families must check the Commencement web site or 651-523-5555 the morning of Commencement to determine if the ceremony has been moved.

How to sign up for tickets:
Only graduates may sign up to receive tickets. Sign up will be available at Senior Day, March 8. If graduates are unable to attend Senior Day, they’ll need to complete the online ticket form, at www.hamline.edu/commencement AFTER March 8. The deadline to sign up for tickets is Friday, April 19. If graduates do not sign up for tickets by April 19, all remaining tickets will be moved to the lottery. Lost or misplaced tickets will not be reissued.  

Ticket Lottery:
If more than two tickets are desired, each student may enter the ticket lottery. A random drawing for any unused tickets will be conducted the week of April 22. If a student is chosen to receive additional tickets, s/he will receive those tickets in the envelope they receive when they go to pick up their tickets. No more than two tickets can be requested via the ticket lottery process.  

Ticket distribution:
Tickets will not be mailed. Graduates must pick them up on Monday, April 29 - May 3, 2013. Check back in March for exact location and times for ticket pick-up.

CEREMONY INFO 

Where should I park?
Free parking is available in all Hamline University lots and on most area streets. Click here to view the campus map that shows the location of parking lots and the ceremony site. There is handicapped parking available in all lots, permits not required. A shuttle service with golf carts will also be available.

Where will the ceremonies take place?
The ceremonies are held on Old Main Mall. The Bush Library steps act as the stage, faculty and graduates are seated directly in front of the steps. There is additional seating to either sides of the faculty and graduates for families and guests. Bleachers are located behind the ground seating.  

What is the Alternate Ceremony site?
Commencement planners may make the decision to move the Commencement ceremonies to our alternate ceremony site. The decisions will be made by noon on Friday, May 17 (Law ceremony) and 7:30 a.m., Saturday, May 18 (Undergraduate and Graduate ceremony). Graduates and families need to check the web site or 651-523-5555 the morning of Commencement, REGARDLESS OF CURRENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, to determine if the ceremony has been moved. The Alternate Ceremony site is Hutton Arena, Hamline University-St. Paul. For more information, visit the Alternate Ceremony Site web page.

How long will the ceremonies last?
Each ceremony will last between 1 1/2 and 2 hours, with a reception to follow each in the Anderson Center.

May I take photographs?
Family and friends should follow the directions for picture taking found in the Commencement ceremonies program. Hamline also works with Grad Images to take photographs of each graduate as they receive their diploma. Proofs of these photographs will be sent to the graduates and prints will be available to order. For more information on this service, call Grad Images at 1-800-261-2576 or visit their website at www.gradimages.com. 

Will my graduate receive his/her diploma that day?
No. Diplomas for all graduates are scheduled to be mailed out in July. If students finish required courses during the summer, the diploma mail date will be later.

Are there refreshments available?
Yes. Beverages and light snacks will be sold by Dining Services before, during, and after the ceremonies. Also, there are receptions following all the ceremonies.

How do I know if my graduate will receive his/her degree?
Because Hamline University must adhere to FERPA (Federal Education Right to Privacy Act), no parent/guardian may obtain or change any information about a student. Families are encouraged to contact their graduate if they have questions about that student’s academic standing.

May I change my graduate’s address?
Because Hamline University must adhere to FERPA, no parent/guardian may obtain or change any information about a student. Families are encouraged to contact their graduate if they have questions about address changes.

What if I have a medical emergency during the ceremony?
We have contracted with Red Cross medical services to provide two paramedics and an ambulance on-site the day of the ceremonies. Ushers and security staff are notified during their training session of the proper procedures for emergency situations.

BACCALAUREATE

What is Baccalaureate?
Baccalaureate is a formal, multi-faith ceremony to bless our graduates as they leave Hamline University. The service is led by multi-faith clergy, and will feature faculty, staff and students. The ceremony will be held Saturday, May 18, from 9 a.m. at the Hamline Church, 1514 Englewood Avenue. Caps and gowns are not worn for this event.  All graduates and their families are encouraged to attend this special ceremony.

ANNOUNCEMENTS/GIFTS

How do I order graduation announcements?  

• Undergraduate and Graduate Announcements - Orders for official personalized Hamline University graduation announcements may be submitted online ONLY to Hamline's vendor, Herff-Jones, or by calling 952-447-4449. Graduates and families are able to order announcements until approximately two weeks AFTER Commencement. General graduation announcements are available through the Hamline University bookstore, 651-523-2270.
• School of Law Announcements - School of Law graduation announcements are available from Herff-Jones, 952-447-4449. 
• General graduation announcements are available at the Herff-Jones web site or through the Hamline University bookstore, 651-523-2270.

Does Hamline University have an official class ring?
Yes, the Associations of Hamline Alumni has designed a ring, available through Herff-Jones, for all graduates. Contact Herff Jones at 952-447-4449.

Where can I buy my graduate a Hamline University gift?
Hamline University Diploma Frames are available for purchase both through the bookstore and online. Frames from the Bookstore must be bought at their on campus location. You may also purchase the frames online from the company Framing Success. For general gifts, the Hamline University Bookstore has a wide variety of clothing and other gift items. The Hamline University bookstore is located in the Bush Student Center and will be open on Commencement from 7 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

What are Hamline University’s official colors?
Burgundy (Pantone 201) and warm gray (Pantone 405).

COMMENCEMENT BROCHURE  

Will Hamline send me information about Commencement?
Yes. Informational brochures will be sent to all graduates and to parents of undergraduates in early March. Please note: It is the student's responsibility to ensure that the address they have given to the university is correct. Failure to update mailing addresses may result in delayed information re: Commencement activities.