Commencement

Students can now complete their online order form for caps, gowns and hoods. Seniors should see their email for the online form. Double majors should select one major to be represented by their hood color. Orders must be completed by Sunday, March 23. These items are delivered to campus and will be distributed May 5-7. December graduates will be able to pick them up the week of May 19. 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 about GreenWeaver® regalia.

Graduates will receive a link to claim their tickets via the Tassel system and then be able to electronically distribute them to their guests. Graduates will be emailed additional details and instructions from commence@holycross.edu. Graduates should claim tickets by Friday, May 16. Please note: due to the ticketing software, ticket registration is limited to 10 guests at a time. If graduates plan to have more than 10 guests in attendance, they can submit this information when they register for Commencement in the Tassel system. 

Each graduating senior has the option of ordering a set of 10 physical Commencement announcements. These are formal announcement cards meant to be sent to family and friends to whom you wish to send news of your upcoming graduation. These are not invitations, but announcements of your achievement. There is no cost to receive these. Please note, seniors must opt-in to receive the physical announcement cards. Graduates will receive an email with a form to claim these by March 4. Announcements will be distributed at the end of March. Electronic versions of the announcements are available in jpg or pdf form.  

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. 

Graduates will be transported from Hogan 3 to the DCU Center for Commencement. Additional details will be provided closer to Commencement. 

Graduates are expected to arrive at these locations by 8:30 a.m. to be transported. Those traveling on their own must arrive at the DCU Center 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.

All graduates, faculty, staff, and guests should be prepared for metal detector screening. Graduates do NOT need tickets to enter the DCU Center. 

Graduating seniors will need to completely move out of the residence halls by 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 23, 2025. Residence Life and Housing recommends that students begin to pack up their spaces before graduation to make the move-out process smoother. More information will be shared with graduates in early February.

Students from further distances who have questions or concerns related to the move-out timeline should reach out to Residence Life and Housing via email at reslife@holycross.edu. 

Prints and framed copies of the Class of 2025 photo taken on move-in day can be purchased at panfoto.com.

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 College Store in the Hogan Campus Center. For more information please contact hcstore@holycross.edu.

Senior Week programming sponsored by the Student Government Association Senior Class Council will begin on Sunday, May 18, 2025. More information regarding other student celebrations will be sent to seniors from your Student Government Association Senior Class Council when it is available. Please contact the Office of Student Involvement at osi@holycross.edu with questions.

Lauren Studios has contacted the class with information on how to schedule their Senior Portraits for the yearbook. The Class of 2025 yearbook is available for purchase online. Feb. 28 is the last day personalization will be offered. Seniors are encouraged to send images from their years on The Hill to patcher@g.holycross.edu or Jostens for inclusion in the book.

Parents of the Class of 2025 can purchase a parent ad in the yearbook and share a special message using this online form. Learn more about parent ads.

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 or their advisor, Jennifer Feraud '21 at Jferaud@holycross.edu with questions.

There is no limit to the number of guests who may attend Commencement. However, this year, all guests (graduates do not need tickets) will be required to have a ticket for entry into the DCU Center. Tickets are free and will be delivered digitally. Graduates will receive a link to claim their tickets via the Tassel system and then be able to electronically distribute them to their guests. Graduates should claim tickets by Friday, May 16. 
 

Please note: due to the ticketing software, ticket registration is limited to 10 guests at a time. If graduates plan to have more than 10 guests in attendance, they can submit this information when they register for Commencement in the Tassel system. All additional requests for tickets will be granted. 

The College is introducing ticketing to aid in event preparation and better ensure those in attendance are invited guests of graduates. 

Children 4 years of age and older need a ticket to enter the DCU Center for Commencement. 

We cannot say for sure what time the ceremony will end; however, we anticipate it concluding around 12:45/1 p.m.

Guests on Thursday may park in the following locations: Hogan lots, Freshmen Field (weather permitting), and the parking garage. Shuttles will be available to assist with transportation on campus from lots to event locations.

The College is able to provide some transportation assistance for on-campus events via shuttles, but we are not able to supply wheelchairs. For those in need of wheelchairs for the day on Thursday or Friday we recommend you bring your own or rent one. Apple Homecare and Rehab in Sterling, MA can be contacted for rentals.

Graduates claim their tickets for their guests through the Tassel system. Once a graduate completes their Commencement registration form, their tickets appear on their Tassel homepage. Graduates then send their guest e-tickets to one or more people via email.

No. Tickets can be scanned electronically. If guests prefer, they can print their tickets. 

Graduates can make changes to their tickets by logging into the Tassel system. 

Yes, the College has hired a photographer to take photos throughout the ceremony. Ceremony pictures will be posted to the College website following Commencement. Additionally, photos will be taken of graduates with the president as they walk across the stage and after exiting the stage. These will be available for review and purchase from GradImages. Students will receive additional information about this.

No, this event is offered free to students and families.

Please contact the Purple Patcher Yearbook at patcher@g.holycross.edu or their advisor, Jennifer Feraud '21 at jferaud@holycross.edu with questions.  

Senior Week programming, sponsored by the Student Government Association Senior Class Council, will begin on Sunday, May 18, 2025. More information regarding other student celebrations will be sent to seniors from your Student Government Association Senior Class Council when it is available. Please contact the Office of Student Involvement at osi@holycross.edu with questions.

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 College Store in the Hogan Campus Center. For more information, please contact the bookstor@holycross.edu.

Per DCU Center policies, guests may not bring in helium balloons, signs, umbrellas, bags, or outside food/beverages. Small purses/wristlets of a MAXIMUM SIZE of 8x10 inches will be permitted. Medical bags and diaper bags will be allowed and must be checked prior to entry. Please see the DCU Center website for a complete listing of prohibited items.

We are committed to the safety and security of all attendees at our Commencement ceremony. Using metal detectors is a proactive measure to prevent any potentially harmful items from entering the venue, which will enhance the overall safety for everyone present. This practice is consistent with other colleges in Worcester.