Commencement Celebration Day Planning

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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 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.

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.

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.

• Commencement weekend parking and shuttle bus map (PDF).

Guests should plan to arrive on campus at least 45 minutes to an hour prior to the ceremony to allow time for parking and securing seating on the Quad. Seating for the ceremony is first come, first served. 

For guests arriving to campus early, a lunch will be available for students and their families in Upper Farinon and Marquis dining halls.

For families not wishing to attend the lunch but wanting to purchase food on campus, the Trolley Stop Diner, located at 201 S. McCartney St., will be open on Commencement day from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations are not required.

The College Store also sells prepackaged food items and beverages and will be open Friday, May 20, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday, May 21, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sunday, May 22, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

The College’s latest COVID-19 campus protocols can be found here. 

• Commencement weekend parking and shuttle bus map (PDF).
• Directions to campus.
• Information about the Easton Community, including details on hotels, dining, and shopping.

During Commencement weekend, all College parking lots are open for general use (by visitors and guests) with the exception of those designated specifically for handicapped parking. Campus Safety does not require visitor passes during commencement weekend. See the Commencement weekend parking and shuttle bus map (PDF) for parking lots and ADA-accessible spots. Recommended general parking lots include the Bushkill parking lot at 901 Bushkill and the Leopard parking deck, located on Sullivan Road. On-street parking also will be available. Please allow an extra 45 minutes to park your vehicle, and anticipate heavy traffic. Shuttle service will be available to transport guests from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Commencement celebration shuttle buses will operate Sunday, May 22 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The buses will stop at the locations indicated on the map.

• Commencement weekend parking and shuttle bus map (PDF).

Information about the Easton community, including details on hotels, dining, and shopping, can be found here.

GradImages will be providing professional photography services during the Commencement ceremony, capturing individual photographs of each graduate. You will receive a notification from them within a week following the ceremony with access to your proofs. Additionally, you can register with GradImages in advance of the ceremony to receive 20% off your order. You can find your proofs following the ceremony at www.gradimages.com, or contact their customer service directly.

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.

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.

Lost and found items for the day’s events can be found or turned into the Guest Services tent located on the Quad. Following the ceremony, lost and found items can be found or turned into the Office of Public Safety, 901 Bushkill Drive, 610-330-5330.

The College Store is located at 211 McCartney St. and will be open on Commencement weekend. Hours are as follows: Friday, May 20, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday, May 21, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sunday, May 22, 10 a.m–2 p.m.

Commencement is an important Lafayette tradition and one that we want graduating seniors and members of their family to reflect fondly on for many years to come. In order to celebrate this venerable tradition and to make the event as enjoyable as possible for everyone in attendance, the College’s Alcohol Policies will be in full effect.