Graduates report to: Holloway Gymnasium (across from Mackey Arenda North Entrance)

Graduate Line Up: 

IMPORTANT: Bring name card (mailed) 

Card is used to check in and announce your name on stage

Report Time for Line Up: 1 hr before ceremony

• 1. Go to photo station to check in (need name card)

  2. Line up by number (located on name card)

  3. Missing your name card? Go to Info Desk in Holloway Gymnasium upon arrival

Processional: Begins 20 min before ceremony

Arrive late? Go to Mackey Arena East Entrance - Section 10

Wear: Cap & gown (tassel on right); Hood (Master's/Doctoral); Comfortable shoes (stairs involved)

After Ceremony:

Graduates will be led out the North Entrance

View Commencement Day Map - Coming Soon

Parking for Commencement:

Allow extra time for traffic and for travel between parking & Mackey.

Graduate Parking:

R Lot at Ross-Ade Stadium (North Lot)

850 Steven Beering Dr.

West Lafayette, IN 47906 

(Enter off Cherry Ln.) 

Note: R Lot (North Lot) is reserved for graduates only. The graduate must be present in the vehicle and present their name card for entry.

Guest Parking:

Northwestern Avenue Garage

504 Northwestern Avenue

West Lafayette, IN 47906

Overflow Guest Parking

University Street Garage

201 North University Street

West Lafayette, IN 47906

Note: University Street Garage does not have an elevator or shuttles

ADA Parking: View Accessibility Accommodations

View Walking Directions from Parking (Coming Soon)

All parking is within walking distance of Mackey Arena. Shuttle service is available for inclement weather or limited mobility.

Shuttles (No reservations required)

Continuous service between Mackey Arena and:

• R Lot at Ross-Ade Stadium / North Lot (Graduate Parking)

• Northwestern Ave Garage (Guest Parking)

• Upper H Lot (Guest ADA Parking)

Guests Entrance: 

Mackey Arena (East Entrance)

900 John R. Wooden Drive

West Lafayette, IN 47907

• Doors open 1 hr before the ceremony

• Guests enter through East Entrance (off Northwestern Ave) or Southwest Entrance (off Wooden Dr by Cary Quad) 

• Tickets required for each guest

• Clear bag policy in effect; bags checks will be performed

Ceremony Length: 2 hours

Guests: No guest limit

Tickets: Required for all guests (general admission seating)

• Ticket claim email sent mid-September

• Guests aged 2 & under do not require a ticket

• Graduates do not require a ticket (use name card for entry)

Arrival:

• Doors open 1 hr before ceremony

• Graduates report to Holloway Gymnasium for line up

• Guests go to to Mackey Arena for seating

Ceremony Order of Events:

• Processional (begins 20 min before ceremony start time)

• Welcome

• National Anthem

• Keynote Speaker

• Conferral of Degrees

• Graduate Recognition & Stage Crossing*

• Ceremonial Tassel Turning

• Boiler Up Tradition

• Recessional (Graduates will be lead out the North Entrance)

*Graduate Recognition
• Name called + slide shown during stage crossing
• View ceremony schedule (available Aug 14)
• View graduate order in digital program (available Sept 25)
• Late arrivals may be recognized out of order
• Find your line-up # on your name card (mailed Sept 14)

Crossing Details

• View graduate seating map (Coming Soon)

• Line-up #100–499 begin stage crossing on the left

• Line-up #500–899 begin stage crossing on the right

• Two lines cross simultaneously (#100 left and #500 right begin first)

Graduates Needing Accommodations

Graduates who need assistance with stairs or are in need of other accommodations, email graduation@purdueglobal.edu

Accessible Guest Seating

Accessible seating is available — no reservations needed

View Accessibility Parking & Accommodations

Cap, Gown, GPA Recognition Cord

• Order at Herff Jones

• Allow 6 wks for delivery - Late orders call Herff Jones: 800-837-4235 (Rush fees apply)

• Cap, gowns & cords are not available onsite

• View GPA recognition cord criteria

COMMENCEMENT (Saturday)

Graduates:

• Wear cap, gown (and hood if applicable)

• Light weight business professional attire under gown

  • Gowns get warm

• Comfortable shoes / low heels (stairs involved)

• Master's and doctoral level hoods: View wearing instructions

Guests

• Business professional

BLACK & GOLD CELEBRATION (Friday)

• Business casual

REVIEW FULL POLICY

Acceptable Items

• Clear Bag Policy & Security* (Bag checks performed upon entry)

• Medical bags and diaper bags (with child present) - must be searched and tagged

• Cameras (lenses 6 inches or shorter)

• Flowers

• Registered service animals

Not Acceptable Items

• Any bags that do not follow the venue's Clear Bag Policy*

• Weapons

• Alcohol/tobacco/vape products

• Umbrellas

• Strollers or car seats

• Noisemakers/poppers/confetti

• Camera lenses longer than 6 inches or tripods

• Seat backs and seat cushions with metal or storage slots

• Beverages or food products, unless there is a medical need

• Drinks, cups or coolers

• Shakers or strobe lights

• Flags, Banners, or Large Signs

• Pets and emotional support animals (only registered service animals allowed)

• Helium balloons

• Wrapped gifts

*Clear Bag Policy & Security

Guests are encouraged not to bring bags. If needed, the following are permitted:

• One clear bag (plastic, vinyl, or PVC) no larger than 12" x 6" x 12"

• One 1-gallon clear plastic bag (Ziploc or similar)

• One small clutch (4.5" x 6.5" max), with or without strap

• Medical bags and diaper bags (with child present) are permitted but must be tagged and will be searched. 

All guests are subject to OPENGATE security screening at entry.

Items not permitted cannot be stored at the venue and must be returned to your vehicle.

How many guests can I bring? Do they need tickets?

No limit; tickets will be distributed digitally in mid-September. 

What is my name card? What if I don't receive it?

Your name card is mailed 2 weeks before commencement and is required to cross the stage. It includes:

• Your first and last name (as officially listed in your student profile)

• Mlitary status (if provided during registration)

• A barcode to display your graduate slide while on stage

Missing your card? Visit the Info Desk in Holloway Gymnasium (grad staging room) 1 hr before your ceremony.

Are honors or concentrations announced with my name?

No, honors and degree concentration are not announced or shown on the slide but appear on the mailed diploma. 

• Honors are noted in the digital program

• Degree and honors appear on your mailed diploma

• Honors groups are recognized collectively during the ceremony

What should I wear under my gown?

Lightweight business professional attire and comfortable shoes. Gowns get warm and there is walking with many stairs.

When will I receive my diploma?

Diplomas are mailed 6 weeks after completing your final class and all program requirements are confirmed. Diploma are not distributed at the ceremony.

Questions? Email registrar@purdueglobal.edu or 866-522-7747.

How can guests watch from home?

Public live stream links will be posted on Showroom.PurdueGlobal.edu (no login required).

Recordings are available on Graduation YouTube channel.

How do I know when my name will be called? 

In-person attendees have their name called in the ceremony they attend. See schedule for ceremony times and name order.

• Line up #100–499 cross on the left

• Line up #500–899 cross on the right.

• Two lines cross at once—#100 (left) and #500 (right) go first

Arriving late or attending your non-assigned ceremony will change your order.

Can I walk with a family member who is also graduating?

Yes! Email graduation@purdueglobal.edu to request it and copy the other Purdue Global graduate.

Only Purdue Global graduates may enter the staging room, processional, graduate seating, or cross the stage. For disability accommodations, email graduation@purdueglobal.edu.

I registered for in-person but can’t attend. Will my name be called?

No. Your name is only announced in the ceremony you register for:

• Attend in person → name announced on stage

• Register for virtual → name announced in virtual ceremony

Which ceremony can I walk in? Can I walk later?

See eligiblity requirements for available ceremony options. 

What are acceptable and non-acceptable for commencement?

See VENUE POLICY section (Review Full Policy)

• Ceremony photos are available for purchase 1 week after the ceremony on The Grad Team website.

• Graduates receive an email with the link when photos go live.

• If photos aren’t showing, contact Grad Team Photography.

The Grad Team Special Event Photographers

Website: thegradteam.com/purdueglobal

Phone: 833-469-4723

Email: gradteam@thegradteam.com

Tip: Use a computer or laptop for the best experience

Graduates:

Personal Zoom Link: Emailed one week prior (one login per graduate)

• Be camera ready! 

  • Attire: Business professional or regalia

  • Backgrounds & decorations: Must be academically appropriate 

  • Turn on your camera for camera sweeps and to be visible to other graduates in Zoom (optional). If your camera is on, you may be visible during the ceremony. 

• Chat: 

  • Communicate with fellow graduates

  • Watch for host prompts and recognition cues

  • Microphones remain muted

• Name Announcement: 

  • Your name is announced as your graduate slide appears (alphabetical by last name)

Guests:

Public Viewing Link: Posted on the schedule page one week prior

• No login required

• Guests will not appear on camera

• Microphones remain muted

Missed the Ceremony? 

Watch the recording on the Graduation YouTube channel (available 1 week after commencement)

Virtual ceremony participants are not required to wear regalia.

Turn camera on to be seen by other Zoom participants.

(Virtual graduates won't appear in live ceremony.)

Cap Only (for tassel turning)

• Purchase black mortarboard (available online, including Amazon) 

Full Regalia

• Purchase at Herff Jones by August 27

  • Includes gown, cap, custom Purdue Global tassel & zipper pull

  • Hood included with Doctoral, Post-graduate Certificate and Master's regalia

Ceremony Length: 1.5 hrs

Graduate check-in starts 15 minutes prior to ceremony time (See email for assigned time)

Virtual Commencement – Order of Events

Graduate Check-in

• Log in 15 minutes early

• Host reviews participation instructions

Ceremony Welcome & Opening

• Zoom Host Welcome

• Virtual Processional*

• National Anthem

Program Highlights

• Keynote Speaker

• Special Recognition*

• Conferral of Degrees*

• Ceremonial Tassel Turning*

  • Optional: Start tassel on the RIGHT (black mortarboard or full regalia optional) 

Graduate Recognition

• • Your name is announced as your graduate slide appears

  • Graduates are announced alphabetically by last name (View name order - POSTED 1 week prior)

Closing

• Boiler Up Tradition*

• Graduate Celebration & Camera Moment*

• Final Congratulations

*Interactive moments

Turn on your camera to be visible to other Zoom participants during interactive moments. Watch the Zoom chat for host prompts, including waving and using the hand-raise feature.

Virtual graduates do not appear live in the ceremony broadcast but may be included in celebratory camera sweeps featured in the virtual ceremony recording.

What is a virtual ceremony? Will I be on camera?

• Virtual Ceremony is in Zoom

• Registered virtual grads are featured with their name and slide

• Graduates won’t appear in the live ceremony, but can see fellow graduates in Zoom

• Viewing links:

  • Graduates are emailed a personal Zoom link one week prior

  • Guests use the public viewing link posted on the schedule page

• Recordings posted later on the Graduation YouTube channel

• View a past virtual ceremony

How can my guests watch the ceremony?

Guests use the public viewing link posted on the schedule page or watch a recording later on the Graduation YouTube channel.

Do I need a cap & gown for virtual ceremony? 

No, but are welcome to wear one. To participate in the tassel-turning, you can purchase a black cap (mortarboard) online, including from Amazon. 

I registered for in-person but can’t attend. Will my name be called?

No. Your name is only announced in the ceremony you register for:

• Attend in person → name announced on stage

• Register for virtual → name announced in virtual ceremony

How do I know when my name will be called? 

Assigned ceremony times will be emailed and posted on the schedule page ~6 weeks before commencement. Name order details will be linked there.