Commencement Information for Graduate Students
Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! It is time to celebrate your achievements through the commencement weekend events.
Learn about Academic Regalia for Graduate Students.
General Information
TICKETS
Outdoor or Indoor Ceremony
General Seating: Tickets are not required for general guest seating on Old Main Mall or in Hutton Arena, and there is no limit to the number of guests a graduate may invite. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Accessible Seating: Guests needing accessible seating may reserve tickets for the accessible seating area. There are a limited number of tickets available for this area. Send an e-mail to commencement@hamline.edu for more details or to reserve your tickets. Tickets are required for all accessible seats on Old Main Mall and in Hutton Arena. Guests will be assisted in the area by our disability services office and event staff members.
PARKING
Where should I park? Free parking is available in all Hamline University lots and on most area streets. The campus map shows the location of parking lots. There is handicapped parking available in all lots, permits not required.
CEREMONY INFO
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.
How long will the ceremonies last? Each ceremony will last between 1 1/2 and 2 hours, with a reception to follow in the Anderson Center.
How early should my guests arrive? Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis - guests should plan to arrive as early as they deem fit to find the seats that they desire.
What is the Alternate Ceremony Site? Commencement planners may need to make the decision to move the Commencement ceremonies to our alternate ceremony site. 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-Saint Paul. For more information, visit the Alternate Ceremony Site web page.
Is there assistance for graduates with special needs? Yes. Please contact Kathy McGillivray in the Disability Resources Office, at least two weeks prior to the event, at 651-523-2521 or kmcgillivray01@hamline.edu.
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.
What is the deadline for the Graduation Appreciation Program (GAP)? The deadline for this year's GAP submissions is April 21, 2013. Due to publication timeline, late submissions will not be accepted. Click here to visit the GAP website.
When will I receive my diploma? 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.
Will Hamline send me information about Commencement? Yes. Commencement 2013 brochures will be mailed to all graduates at their permanent address in early March. Please note: All graduates are responsible for ensuring their email and mailing addresses are correct in Piperline. If a student fails to provide accurate information, it will prevent them from receiving Commencement information in a timely manner.
CAP AND GOWNS/GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENTS
How do I order graduation announcements? Orders for official personalized Hamline University graduation announcements may be submitted online ONLY to Hamline's vendor, Herff-Jones. Graduates and families are able to order personalized announcements until approximately two weeks AFTER Commencement. General graduation announcements are available at the above Web site or through the Hamline University bookstore, 651-523-2270.
How do I order my cap and gown? Caps, gowns, and hoods are required for participation in Commencement. All orders should be placed online with our vendor, Herff-Jones. The deadline for ordering online is April 22, 2013. All online orders must be paid for at the time of order, and will be shipped to the student's address of choice. If you do not order until after the above deadline, you will need to contact the Hamline University Bookstore directly at 651-523-2270. All regalia orders must be submitted by May 13, 2013. Questions and concerns may be directed to Herff Jones at 952-447-4449 until April 22, then the Hamline University Bookstore at 651-523-2270.
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 9:00 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.
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS INFORMATION
When is the end of the year reception? Each year the School of Business hosts a reception for the year's graduates. This is an opportunity for the graduates from the 2012 - 2013 academic year to celebrate their accomplishments with their colleagues and professors, and for faculty to honor outstanding student work. This year's reception will be held Monday, May 13 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. in the Anderson Center.
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION INFORMATION
When is the end of the year reception? Each year the School of Education hosts a wine and hor d'oeuvre reception for the year's graduates. This is an opportunity for the graduates from the 2012 - 2013 academic year to celebrate their accomplishments with their colleagues and professors, and for faculty to honor outstanding student work. This year's reception will be held Friday, May 10, from 5:30 - 7 p.m. on the Anderson Center Terrace (rain location: Klas Center, Kay Fredericks Room).