Commencement Day Planning

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.

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 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.

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. 

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 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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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

The live broadcast of Commencement will include closed captioning.

• 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.