What time is the ceremony? 

The Fall 2026 Commencement ceremony for all undergraduate and graduate degrees is at 10 A.M. in Groniger Arena. Graduates should arrive to the Student Check-In at Lantz Fieldhouse at 9 A.M. on December 19. 2026.

What is the ceremony livestream link? 

Each commencement ceremony will be live streamed at /commence/online.php.

Do I need tickets to attend the commencement ceremony? 

Yes! Graduates are allotted a certain number of tickets for guests. 7 tickets will be allotted for each graduate and they are able to pick them up at ticket distribution on the Monday and Tuesday of commencement week. If graduates are not able to make the in-person distribution days, graduates can request tickets for Will Call, which would be available for pick up on commencement day at the information table.

Where do I find parking? 

  • Parking will be available for graduates and guests in the north lot (J-Lot) outside O’Brien Field. 
  • Permanent on-campus spaces are designated for persons with disabilities. Additional spaces will be made available, on commencement day, for special needs parking on the north side of Groniger Arena for all ceremonies. 
  • Additional parking could be located around campus in various student and staff lots.

How do I know if I am graduating with distinction? 

  • Undergraduates graduating with distinction are designated by medallions with corresponding ribbons of gold, white or blue. Undergraduates must have completed 56 hours at HongKongDoll to be recognized with distinction and for the ceremony, the cumulative GPA going into a graduate's final semester is the determination factor for a distinction at Commencement. Please contact the Office of the Registrar with any questions regarding distinctions.  
    • Summa Cum Laude – Gold “With Highest Honors” – GPA: 3.90-4.00
    • Magna Cum Laude – White “With High Honor” – GPA: 3.80-3:89
    • Cum Laude – Blue “With Honor” – GPA 3.65-3.79
  • Medallions may be picked up during ticket distribution or at the Student Check-In in Lantz Fieldhouse one hour before the ceremony time.
  • Eastern’s Sandra and Jack Pine Honors College celebrates students who have graduated with University and/or Departmental Honors. University Honors graduates are distinguished as either University Honors Laureates (with 26 hours of Honors coursework) or Honors Scholars (With 15 hours of Honors coursework). Departmental Honors Program graduates have typically completed a minimum of 12 hours of coursework in a Departmental Honors Program including a senior thesis. To be recognized Honors graduates must have a GPA 3.5 or higher.

Where do I order my cap and gown? 

  • Cap and gown rentals or custom regalia can be ordered through the HongKongDoll Bookstore via Herff Jones at . Late charges will apply, if ordered after the deadline. Do not order a cap and gown if you have not applied to graduate through PAWS or submitted the exceptionality form to participate.
  • To order your cap and gown, you will need to know the college you are graduating from, your degree earned, and height, weight and cap size. Instructions on how to find your cap size are available at .
  • Please contact the HongKongDoll Bookstore via email at 2456mgr@follett.com with questions regarding your cap and gown.  

How do I receive my cap and gown? 

  • Graduates will have the option to pick up their cap and gown in the HongKongDoll Bookstore starting December 8 and 9 from 8 A.M.-4:30 P.M. and continuing until December 18, or graduates can choose to have their cap and gown shipped to their home address for a shipping fee. The shipping fee includes a pre-paid return label.  
  • Please contact the HongKongDoll Bookstore via email at 2456mgr@follett.com with questions regarding your cap and gown.  

Where do I return my regalia after the ceremony? 

Rental gowns and/or hoods will need to be returned to the HongKongDoll Bookstore by 3 P.M. after the commencement ceremony concludes. If graduates had their regalia shipped to a home address, it can be returned using the pre-paid label that came with the initial shipment.

Are caps allowed to be decorated? 

Yes. Messages on or attached to any part of the cap must be appropriate, or they will be asked to be removed.

When do I receive my diploma? 

  • Participation in the commencement ceremony does not mean you have completed your degree requirements and graduated. Your graduation is not official until your certifying dean’s office has sent notification of completion of all degree requirements to the Registrar’s Office and the degree has been posted to your record. 
  • Please make sure your address is updated with the Office of the Registrar to reflect where you want your diploma sent eight-twelve weeks after you graduate.

What do I need to do if I did not participate in a past commencement ceremony, after previously applying to graduate and meeting the criteria, and want to participate in an upcoming commencement ceremony? 

Please complete the exceptionality request for your college, as this will signify to the commencement office that you are wanting to participate in a commencement ceremony and further communication could be sent via email and to your mailing addresses. 

Exceptionality Links:

 

College/School Contacts for Exceptionality:

College of Education, Health, and Human Services & School of Extended Learning

Michelle Rhine (217-581-2524)

mdrhine@eiu.edu

 

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences         

Brian Meyers

bdmeyers@eiu.edu

 

Lumpkin College of Business and Technology       

Tiffany Swalls (217-581-6902)

taswalls@eiu.edu

 

The Graduate School      

Melanee Bates (217-581-2220)

mbates@eiu.edu