Commencement Planning

Caps, gowns, and hoods are to be worn at the Commencement ceremony. Graduation regalia is available for pre-order at a cost of $79.99 through March 13. Students can pick up and pay for pre-ordered regalia at the College Store during the store’s Grad Finale event Thursday, April 23, and Friday, April 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Students who request assistance with obtaining graduation regalia can apply for support. If eligible, students will receive support in obtaining the cap, gown, and hood for the 2026 Commencement. After the completion of the 2026 Commencement, students must return the graduation regalia to the specified location. You are contributing to Lafayette’s zero-waste goals by decreasing the number of single-use gowns thrown away each year. Your returned gown will help reduce the cost of regalia for future graduates.

Families, friends, and members of the Lafayette community are invited to celebrate the Class of 2026 at the 191st Commencement ceremony Saturday, May 23, beginning at 10 a.m. EDT.

No tickets are needed unless inclement weather forces the ceremony indoors. If indoors, tickets will be needed for admission to the Kirby Sports Center. Each graduate will receive three tickets for family and friends. Instructions for ticketing will be distributed to students.

Caps, gowns, and hoods are to be worn by graduating students at the Commencement ceremony. They are available for pre-order through March 13.

Members of the Class of 2026 should assemble in Kamine Gymnasium at 8:45 a.m. Saturday, May 23, 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 available on a first-come, first-served basis.

In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved indoors to the Kirby Sports Center, and tickets will be required for admission. Each graduate will be eligible to receive three (3) electronic tickets for family and friends. Detailed ticketing instructions will be shared with students via email. Please note that only students will have access to the ticketing system. Graduates do not need a ticket.

A limited number of additional tickets for the inclement weather location may become available. Students may request extra tickets through a registration link that will be posted on the Commencement website on Monday, March 30. The deadline to request additional tickets is Friday, May 8. If approved, students will be notified and will receive their additional tickets electronically through the ticketing system on or before May 15. 

Students are responsible for downloading and/or printing their electronic tickets. Admission to the Kirby Sports Center Arena by ticket will begin at 9 a.m. 

Any questions regarding ticketing may be directed to the Ticket Office at tickets@lafayette.edu.

The Commencement ceremony runs for approximately 90 minutes. A large video 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 appropriate department or organization.

Diplomas will be mailed to the post-Commencement mailing address once all grades and honors processing are finalized. Students will receive a commemorative Lafayette College Bicentennial diploma cover during Grad Finale. 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. 

GradImages will be providing professional photography services during the Commencement ceremony, capturing individual photographs of each graduate. Finding a specific graduate’s photos after the ceremony is easy. Visit GradImages.com to view and purchase custom photo products such as prints, plaques, specialty gifts, and more.

Please direct any questions or concerns to the Gradimages customer service department via phone (800-261-2576) or email (ecc.giservice@gradimages.net). GradImages has a large team of customer care representatives ready to help graduates and family members with anything they may need.

Parents, families, and students can also pre-register to receive notification when the images are ready. Pre-registration does not obligate anyone to make a purchase.

The Commencement ceremony will be broadcast live via livestream and ATVN-TV in the Lehigh Valley, Philadelphia, Boston, New York City, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. Rain or shine, the live broadcast of the Commencement ceremony will be available in Colton Chapel. No tickets are required for indoor viewing.

Guest Wi-Fi access will be available throughout Commencement weekend (Friday, May 22, 2026, and Saturday, May 23, 2026). Login information:

Username: commencementguest
Password: Class2026

A complimentary coffee station will be available in the lobby of Farinon College Center 8-10 a.m. Saturday, May 23.

If there is a change in the location of the Commencement celebration due to inclement weather, that information will be shared the day of the event through the College’s social media accounts and the Commencement website.

Participation in the Commencement ceremony is limited to only those students who have fully satisfied all degree requirements and are approved for graduation. 

Students who have not completed all degree requirements by May 19, 2026, may request special permission to participate in the ceremony by exception. To be considered for the exception, students should complete the Commencement Participation Petition and must have earned a cumulative GPA of 2.0, major GPA of 2.0, and have two or fewer credits remaining to complete their degree requirements.

Students will be notified of their eligibility after a review of their record by the Senior Class Dean. Students who have questions or concerns about their academic record should reach out to the Senior Class Dean, Chris Selena, or schedule an appointment.

Students who participate in Commencement by exception will participate in all aspects of the ceremony, including having their name read as they greet the president on stage.

A student’s name will not be included in the Commencement program until all degree requirements are fulfilled and the student is approved for graduation. The student may request a copy of the subsequent Commencement program, in which their name is listed, be sent to them by mail as a keepsake.

 Under no circumstances should participation by exception be construed as a student having completed their degree requirements for graduation from the College.

Members of Lafayette’s Class of 2026 have two opportunities to indicate the correct pronunciation of their name during the Commencement ceremony:

• Visit the Class of 2026 Name Recording Spaces page to record or re-record the name.
• Submit a name card and phonetic spelling through the Office of Advising & Co-Curricular Programs.