Information for Graduates
Cap and Gowns
Students can now complete their online order form for caps, gowns, and hoods. Seniors should see their email for the online form. Double majors, select one major to be represented by their hood color. Orders must be completed by Sunday, April 2. These items are delivered to campus and will be distributed May 9-10. December graduates will be able to pick them up the week of May 22. Department or program specific academic stoles and/or cords are coordinated by individual departments. Those providing these will be in touch directly with graduates.
Graduates are able to keep their caps, gown, hoods, tassels, and zipper pulls. For those who do not want to keep their gowns, collection bins will be available in the reception area of the DCU Convention Center and on Hogan 1 following Commencement. Gowns that are returned will be recycled into other products.
The College is proud to share that in the effort to remain green on campus, all Holy Cross graduates will be wearing environmentally conscious GreenWeaver® regalia, made here in the USA. This line of graduation wear is made of fabric spun from molten plastic pellets produced from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. For every gown ordered, Oak Hall will contribute $0.25 to the College’s sustainability efforts. Learn more
Baccalaureate Mass
Seniors should arrive at the area between the football and baseball stadiums by 2:15 p.m. for line-up. Seniors will process into the stadium at 2:45 p.m. Commencement gowns (but not hoods or caps) should be worn.
Graduate Transportation to the DCU Center
Graduates will be transported from Hogan 3 and The Edge to the DCU Center for Commencement. Graduates are expected to arrive at these locations by 8:30 a.m. to be transported. Those traveling on their own must arrive no later than 9:00 a.m. Upon arrival, enter through the revolving doors of the Convention Center located on Major Taylor Boulevard. Graduates should be wearing their gown and hood and have their cap with a tassel and Holy Cross zipper pull.
Graduates choosing to arrive on their own, must arrive NO LATER THAN 9 a.m. to the DCU Center. Upon arrival, enter through the revolving doors of the Convention Center located on Major Taylor Boulevard.
Refreshments and breakfast will be available for you at the DCU Center.
The Ceremony
Line Up
You will receive an email from the Registrar on Thursday, May 25. This email includes your row and seat number. At the DCU Center, volunteers will direct you to your proper spot. Once you arrive at the DCU Center, you will be directed to check-in with your row line leader. Each graduate will also receive a procession card from their row line leader and should be in place in their designated row and seat prior to the procession. The procession into the arena begins promptly at 10:30 a.m.
It is important that you do not fill open spots and take the proper seat. Each seat in the staging area and in the arena will have a sticker with your name on it.
When we start the procession, graduates will proceed into the arena in two columns. You will be directed to your row and seat by ushers. Once you are in your row, in front of your chair, remain standing. Remove your cap during the national anthem and the invocation (prayer). At the end of the invocation, be seated and put on your cap with the tassel to the right. This is so that the picture of you receiving your diploma is correct.
When Provost Leshkowich begins to read the Latin degrees, the conferring of degrees will begin. Graduates will be directed on how to make their way to the stage with your procession card. Each graduate will then go across the stage, receive from the President a purple tube containing a letter with the left hand, and leave by the far left stairs. When you leave the stage, you will pause to be photographed. After your photo, you return to your seat, and sit.
Order of Ceremony:
Academic Procession
National Anthem (Stand)
Invocation (Stand)
Reading Of The Degree
Degrees In Course Are Conferred
Presidential Remarks
Valedictory Address
Honorary Degrees Are Conferred
Commencement Address
Blessing (Stand)
Alma Mater (Stand)
Recessional
At the conclusion of the alma mater, the platform party and the faculty will leave the arena. Graduates will follow the faculty. The procession will move to the convention hall where a reception will be held. Please meet your family at the reception.
Reception
Immediately following, DCU Center, Convention Hall (approximately 1 - 3 p.m.)
Immediately following Commencement graduates, guests, faculty, and staff are invited to gather for a reception. Light food will be served.
Diplomas
An electronic copy of your diploma will be released to you via email on Friday, May 26. You will receive your physical diploma in the mail 2-3 weeks after Commencement. Please note, your diploma will be mailed to your home address listed in STAR and that was verified with you during your Marching Order registration.
Ceremony Photos
During the Commencement ceremony, GradImages will be photographing graduates. Each graduate will have their photo taken as they cross the stage with the President and also once they exit the stage. Proofs of these will be available after the ceremony. You will be able to purchase prints and/or digital copies of the images. Graduates are encouraged to pre-register for their photos to receive a coupon from GradImages for 20% off their entire order.
Campus Move-Out
Graduates are expected to move-out of the residence halls by 8 p.m. on Friday, May 26. Contact reslife@holycross.edu or 508-793-2411 with any questions.
Class Photo
Prints and framed copies of the Class of 2023 photo taken during your Fall Orientation can be purchased at panfoto.com.
Class Rings
The College works with Herff Jones for the ordering of class rings. Class rings can be ordered online. Periodically, Herff Jones is on campus outside of the bookstore in the Hogan Campus Center. For more information please contact the bookstor@holycross.edu.
Senior Week Events
More information regarding other student celebrations will be sent to graduates from your Student Government Association Senior Class Council and the Office of Student Involvement when it is available. Please contact osi@holycross.edu or 508-793-3487 with questions.
Yearbook and Senior Photos
Lauren Studios will be contacting the class with information on how to schedule their Senior Portraits for the yearbook. In April, students and families can expect information regarding the sale of 2023 Purple Patcher Yearbook and senior advertisements from family. In the meantime, seniors are encouraged to send images from their year to patcher@g.holycross.edu for inclusion in the book.
The Purple Patcher Yearbook Club works in collaboration with The Office of Student Involvement to coordinate senior photos for the yearbook and yearbook sales. Please contact patcher@g.holycross.edu with questions.