When and where is the ceremony?
A single ceremony for all graduates will take place Saturday, Dec. 19, 2026, beginning promptly at 9:30 a.m. at Bradley University’s Renaissance Coliseum. Directions to Renaissance Coliseum can be found here.
How many guests can I invite?
All graduates will be allowed to bring up to 6 guests. Students will be issued tickets when they RSVP for Commencement. Tickets will be distributed electronically via email during the RSVP process. All guests must have a ticket to enter the ceremony.
Can I get more than 6 tickets?
Graduates can request to be placed on the wait list for extra tickets during RSVP. Up to 4 wait list tickets can be requested. If space allows, those will be automatically distributed on December 7, 2026.
Do Commencement tickets cost anything?
No, there is no cost for the Commencement tickets. Tickets are free of charge and are used to keep attendance numbers at a safe level.
Will there be accessible seating for those who need it?
Yes, accessible seating will be available to guests. There is marked ADA seating on the first floor along with an elevator to the second floor if needed.
What time do I have to arrive and how do I get to the Renaissance Coliseum?
Graduates will line up for the ceremony in the practice gym at the Renaissance Coliseum. The doors to the practice gym will open at 8 a.m. and graduates MUST be in line no later than 9:15 a.m. Directions to the Renaissance Coliseum can be found here. All graduates are responsible for their own transportation to and from the event.
Where do students line up?
Students will line up in the practice gym of the Renaissance Coliseum located in the south end of the building. Doors to the gym will open at 8 a.m.; please enter through the doors facing the Main Street Parking Deck. There will be signs outside directing you to the proper entrance. Graduates MUST be in line no later than 9:15 a.m. to participate in the ceremony.
Do I need to bring anything with me?
Graduates should arrive dressed in their cap and gown and with their reader card in hand. Master’s and doctoral students should not wear their hood, but carry it with them. Personal items cannot be left in the lineup area; please consider leaving all personal items with your guests. Bradley University will not be held responsible for any items left behind, lost, or stolen during the ceremony.
How will my name be announced?
All graduates will be able to approve phonetic spelling of their name when RSVPing for the ceremony. They will be provided a reader card during cap and gown pick up at Grad Fair. Distance education students will be able to pick up their reader cards the day of the ceremony in the line up area. Students will hand this card to the designated reader as they cross the stage.
Can I record my name for proper pronunciation?
Yes, you will receive an email closer to the ceremony date with a customized link. This will take you to a registration page where you can record your name for our professional speaker to reference. If your name is frequently mispronounced, we strongly encourage you to complete this step.
How do I get my reader card?
Graduates will pick up their reader card when they pick up their cap and gown at Grad Fair on December 10, 2026. Distance education students will be able to pick up their reader card in the lineup area on December 19.
What time can guests arrive?
Guests may begin arriving at the Renaissance Coliseum as early as 8 a.m. The doors to the arena where guests will be seated will open at 8:30 a.m. Please plan accordingly if standing for longer periods of time is difficult.
Where should I park?
Guests and graduates should park in the Main Street Parking Deck, located to the west of Renaissance Coliseum.
Ceremony Bag Policy
Any bag that appears to be larger than the approved size of 12″x6″x12″, will be subject to search by Bradley Security staff before being allowed to enter the arena.
Where should students and attendees meet after the ceremony?
There will be a Commencement Celebration immediately following the ceremony in the same room the graduates line up in. Please plan to meet your attendees in this room or outside near the parking deck.
What is Grad Reception?
Grad Reception is a complimentary celebration hosted by the Office of Alumni Relations. This year’s Grad Reception will take place on December 18 from 4 to 6 p.m in Peplow Pavilion at the Hayden Clark Alumni Center. There will be food and refreshments and students will have the opportunity to meet with faculty, staff, family and friends. More information will be provided as the event gets closer.
How long will my ceremony last?
The ceremony is estimated to end around 11:30 a.m.
How do I order the cap and gown, and when will I get it?
On-Campus Students:
You must order your cap and gown online through Oak Hall. Students will receive an email communication providing them with pickup information closer to the ceremony date. The deadline to order a cap and gown is November 1, 2026
Off-Campus Students:
You must order your cap and gown online through Oak Hall. The items you order will be sent to the address you provide when completing the order. The deadline to order a cap and gown is November 28, 2026
Where do I get my cap and gown?
Cap and gown can be picked up during the Grad Fair, which will be held on December 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Peplow Pavilion at the Hayden Clark Alumni Center. You will also pick up your reader card and get other useful information at the Grad Fair. If you cannot attend, you can have a third party pick up your cap and gown, but they must get permission from the Registrar’s Office by emailing registrar@bradley.edu.
How will I get my official Commencement photo?
Professional photographers from Pro Pics will be at the ceremony to take portraits of graduates. Photos of the graduates crossing the stage, as well as individual portraits on multiple backgrounds, will be available for purchase from Pro Pics following the ceremony. To identify your photos and receive proofs, please visit www.BradleyUniversityPhotos.com to submit your information. You can email questions about photos to: info@propicsusa.com
Commencement Help Desk Office Hours
Do you have questions about Commencement? Do you need in-person help to complete your registration for Commencement? Commencement staff will be available to assist you during open office hours. Please come to the front lobby of Comstock Hall Tuesday or Wednesday between 1 and 3 p.m. starting September 24, and staff will be able to answer your questions and help with the registration process. Note – this is for Commencement registration only. Graduation eligibility/application is completed through the Office of the Registrar.
Am I allowed to visit campus to take photos in my cap and gown?
Yes, you may come to campus to take photos.
Will the ceremony be live streamed for guests who cannot attend?
The ceremony will be livestreamed. The link will be available on Bradley’s website at Bradley.edu 15 minutes before the start of the ceremony.
Will I receive a diploma cover?
Students who attend the ceremony will receive their diploma cover during the ceremony.
When will I get my diploma?
Diplomas and official transcripts will be mailed approximately six to eight weeks after graduation, pending successful completion of degree requirements. If you have a grade hold on your record for any reason, your diploma(s) will not be released until the hold is cleared. Holds do not inhibit the conferral of a degree, only the release of the official documents (i.e., diplomas, transcripts). Please contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@bradley.edu or 309-677-3101 if you have any questions.
Will I get a tassel?
If you ordered a cap and a gown through Oak Hall, your tassel will come with your order.
How do I get my honors stole?
If you have earned an honors stole and you ordered a cap and gown, the honors stole will be included when you pick up your cap and gown. Please note, honors are only applicable to undergraduate students and are not bestowed on master’s or doctoral students.
Where can I get graduation announcements?
On-Campus Students:
You may do so through Jostens
Distance Education Students:
You may do so through Jostens
What is a legacy stole?
The legacy stole can be worn by a graduate who has a parent, grandparent or sibling who graduated from Bradley University. Legacy stoles can be ordered through Oak Hall at the time of cap and gown ordering.
Does Bradley have yard signs?
Yes! You can order a standard or customizable sign here.
Am I required to participate in the Commencement ceremony in order to graduate?
No, if you choose not to participate in the Commencement ceremony and you have met the university requirements, you will receive your diploma in the mail.
If I don’t participate in the Commencement ceremony, do I still have to apply to graduate?
Yes, you must apply to graduate regardless of participation in the ceremony. For information about how to apply to graduate as an undergraduate student, please visit the Registrar’s Office.
What do I do on the day of the ceremony?
For a complete breakdown of what to do and where to go on the day of the ceremony, please see the short video linked HERE.
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