Ceremony and Regalia
Ordering Regalia
Caps, gowns, and hoods are to be worn at the Commencement ceremony. These items were distributed to students prior to the 2020 virtual Commencement ceremony. For anyone who needs replacement items, graduation regalia will be available for purchase at the College Store during Grad Finale on Thursday, April 28 and Friday, April 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you are currently away from campus, you may order your graduation regalia through the College Store.
The Commencement regalia hand-me-down program is a Student Government and Office of Sustainability “pay-it-forward” initiative for graduating seniors to donate their gowns, caps, and cords to next year’s seniors. This program increases the accessibility of gowns (removing the $60+ cost) and also achieves zero-waste goals by decreasing the number of single-use gowns thrown away each year. To donate after Commencement, students can drop off their gowns in any green move-out bin across campus.
Regalia Hand-Me-Down Program
The Commencement regalia hand-me-down program is a Student Government and Office of Sustainability “pay-it-forward” initiative for graduating seniors to donate their gowns, caps, and cords to next year’s seniors. This program increases the accessibility of gowns (removing the $60+ cost) and also achieves zero-waste goals by decreasing the number of single-use gowns thrown away each year. To donate after Commencement, students can drop off their gowns in any green move-out bin across campus.
Information About the Ceremony
Families, friends, and members of the Lafayette community are invited to celebrate the Class of 2020 at a Commencement Celebration scheduled for Sunday, May 22 beginning at 1:45 p.m. EDT.
No tickets are needed unless inclement weather forces the ceremony indoors. If indoors, tickets will be needed for admission to the Allan P. Kirby Sports Center. Each graduate will receive three tickets for family and friends. Rain site tickets will be available for pickup on Sunday, May 22 at the Guest Services tent on the Quad.
Caps, gowns, and hoods were distributed to students prior to the 2020 virtual Commencement ceremony. For anyone who needs replacement items, graduation regalia will be available for purchase at the College Store during Grad Finale on Thursday, April 28 and Friday, April 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you are currently away from campus, you may order your graduation regalia through the College Store.
Members of the Class of 2020 should assemble in Kamine Gymnasium at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 22 for robing, prior to the Commencement ceremony.
Ticketing
Because the ceremony is planned to be held outdoors on Lafayette’s Quad, no tickets are required, however, outdoor seating is first come, first served. If inclement weather forces the ceremony indoors, tickets will be needed for admission to the Allan P. Kirby Sports Center. Each graduate will receive three (3) tickets for family and friends. Tickets will be available for pickup on Sunday, May 22 at the Guest Services tent on the Quad. Graduates do not need a ticket.
Commencement Ceremony
The Commencement ceremony runs for approximately 90 minutes. A large screen will be present next to the stage to assist family and friends in viewing the ceremony. Rain or shine, the live broadcast of the Commencement ceremony will be available in Limburg Theater, located in the lower level of Farinon College Center. No tickets are required for theater seating.
Cords
Cords are individually coordinated and distributed by each organization or department. These should have been supplied prior to the 2020 virtual Commencement. If you have any questions about cords you expected to receive, please reach out to the department or organization.
Live Broadcast
The Commencement ceremony will be broadcast live via livestream and the RCN-TV network in the Lehigh Valley, Philadelphia, Boston, New York City, Washington, D.C., and Chicago. Rain or shine, the live broadcast of the Commencement ceremony will be available in Limburg Theater, located in the lower level of Farinon College Center. No tickets are required for theater seating.
Weather
If there is a change in the location of the Commencement celebration or the President’s Reception due to inclement weather, that information will be available in a recorded message on the Lafayette Weather Information Hotline 610-330-5809 as soon as it is known. This information also will be posted on the Lafayette College homepage, as well as on the College’s social media accounts.