Commencement Day Planning

187th Commencement Day
Saturday, May 21, 2022

Updated May 18, 2022

Ceremony and Regalia

Ordering Regalia

Caps, gowns, and hoods are to be worn at the Commencement ceremony. 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 2022 at the 187th Commencement ceremony scheduled for Saturday, May 21 beginning at 2:15 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. Tickets will be distributed at Grad Finale at the College Store scheduled for Thursday, April 28 and Friday, April 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Caps, gowns, and hoods are to be worn by graduating students at the Commencement ceremony. They can be purchased during Grad Finale at the College Store.

Members of the Class of 2022 should assemble in Kamine Gymnasium at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 21 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. Three (3) tickets for family and friends were available for each graduate at Grad Finale in late April. Graduates do not need a ticket. Tickets are still available and can be picked up in the Development Office, third floor of Markle Hall, or at the hospitality tent on the Quad the day of Commencement.

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.

Cords

Cords are individually coordinated and distributed by each organization or department. If you have any questions about cords you expect to receive, please reach out to the department or organization.

Diploma

Diplomas will be mailed to the post-commencement mailing address once all grades and honors processing are finalized. Students will receive the traditional Lafayette College diploma cover when they cross the stage. Once the diploma is mailed, each student will receive an email with tracking information. In addition, graduates will be able to access their Certified Electronic Diploma—an official, portable, and verifiable electronic version of the diploma.

Live Broadcast

The Commencement ceremony will be broadcast live via livestream and the RCN-TV 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.

Commencement / Senior Week Participation Request Form

The purpose of this form is to allow non-eligible students to request participation in senior activities and/or commencement due to extenuating and/or unanticipated circumstances. A submission of a request does not guarantee that an exception will be granted. Each request will be reviewed carefully along with the student’s academic and conduct record.

Only those seniors who have fully satisfied degree requirements and are approved for graduation may participate in Commencement Exercises. Seniors who are candidates for graduation may attend senior activities.

Access the form here.

Celebratory Items

Graduation Announcements

Announcements can be ordered online from Jostens.

Yearbooks and Senior Class Photos

All students on campus should have received a personal email from Lors Photography to have a personal photo session with the photographers. Yearbooks can be ordered directly through Jostens. Graduates and their families also can purchase yearbook advertisements on the Balfour website.

Diploma Frames

Diploma frames are available for purchase in the College Store in person or online.

Roses for Graduates

Roses are available for ordering in dozens, arranged in a bouquet along with a gift card with your personal message. All proceeds benefit Crime Victims Council of the Lehigh Valley, a nonprofit victim-assistance agency. Call 610-437-6610 or order online at www.cvclv.org. Pre-orders will be available for pickup at the Guest Services tent on the Quad on May 21.

Academics and Finance

Student Balance

Please review your student account balance on my.lafayette.edu. It is important that you pay all financial obligations including College Store balances, deans’ loans, Health Center fees, and fines from Public Safety, Facility Operations, and Skillman Library. Payments can be made at the Cashier’s window, basement of Marquis Hall, open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. These financial obligations need to be cleared prior to May 1, 2022. There will be no release of records certifying graduation until all debts have been paid. Questions regarding student accounts should be directed to 610-330-5145 or studentbilling@lafayette.edu.

Federal Student Loan Exit Counseling

Per federal regulations, graduates who receive federal loans through the Direct Student Loan Program at any time as a Lafayette student must complete Exit Loan Counseling. As the reminders to you stated, you should complete this requirement prior to graduation in preparation for repaying any federal student loans. You may access your Exit Loan Counseling at www.studentloans.gov. If you have questions regarding repayment or the exit counseling, do not hesitate to contact the Office of Financial Aid at 610-330-5055, 107 Markle Hall, or by email at financialaid@lafayette.edu.

Diploma

Visiting the Campus

Planning Your Day

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 early, a brunch will be available for students and their families in both Upper Farinon and Marquis dining halls from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Each student will receive three tickets to this brunch and will have the opportunity to purchase extra tickets for family members at a cost of $15 per ticket. Members of the Class of 2022 can purchase extra tickets here. Once purchased online, brunch tickets can be obtained by bringing the receipt to 307 Markle Hall between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. On the day of Commencement, tickets can be picked up at the hospitality tent.

For families not wishing to attend the brunch 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.

COVID-19

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

Travel

Parking

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 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Shuttle Buses

Commencement shuttle buses will operate Saturday, May 21 from 9 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).

Lodging

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

Professional Photography

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.

Live Broadcast

Weather

Lost and Found

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.

College Store

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.

Alcohol Policy

Commencement is an important Lafayette tradition and one that we want graduating seniors and members of their families 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.

Accessibility

Overview

For individuals requiring accessible seating or other accommodations, please contact Accessibility Services at 610-330-3513 or Marty Sullivan, by Friday, April 29 to help us ensure availability.

For guests who are coming to campus but prefer remaining indoors rain or shine, the live broadcast of the ceremony will be available in Limburg Theater, located in the lower level of Farinon College Center. No tickets are required for theater seating.

Sign Language Interpreting

ASL interpreters will be signing during the commencement ceremony and baccalaureate service.

Closed Captioning

The live broadcast of Commencement will include closed captioning.

Parking

Commencement weekend parking and shuttle bus map (PDF).

ADA-accessible parking and drop-off locations will be available for individuals with disabilities and those with limited mobility for the Commencement ceremony.

Staff members will be driving golf carts to help transport guests parked in accessible parking lots to Commencement ceremony seating.

Information for New Alumni

Alumni Office

Alumni Relations welcomes the Class of 2022 to the community of over 30,000 Lafayette alumni. We invite you to stay up to date on events and initiatives through the Alumni Relations website, leopardlink.lafayette.edu. LeopardLink allows you to read and submit class notes, search the alumni directory, and, of course, register for the over 200 events coordinated by our department each year. We are very interested in having members of the Class of 2022 join our many alumni volunteers—just complete the volunteer interest form to let us know how you would like to be involved.

Development Office

Be sure to make your Senior Class Gift and earn your Class of 2022 pin to wear at Commencement! When you make a gift of any amount to any area on campus, you will receive your class pin. A gift of $20.22 will earn you the class pin and a Class of 2022 pint glass. Visit the Senior gift site to make your gift!

Gateway Career Center

Gateway Career Center congratulates the Class of 2022 on this major accomplishment! Each year, the Gateway Career Center asks seniors to share their plans after graduation on the “First Destinations” survey. Please take a few minutes to complete our survey. Once you get settled in life, post your four years on College Hill, we encourage you to stay connected to our office. If you have not already done so, please sign up on GatewayLink, our Lafayette-exclusive networking and connecting platform. You may do so by clicking here: Leopard Link – Gateway Link. Should you need additional career services post-graduation, please reach out to our dedicated career coach, Margie Cherry, Gateway Career Center.