December Ceremony FAQs
When and where is the ceremony?
A single ceremony for all graduates will take place Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, beginning promptly at 9:30 a.m. at Bradley University’s Renaissance Coliseum. Directions to Renaissance Coliseum.
How many guests can I invite?
Each graduate is allowed to invite and bring as many guests to the ceremony as they would like. Tickets are not required for the ceremony. However, in the unlikely event we reach seating capacity in the ceremony arena, guests will be turned away. The ceremony will also be livestreamed for guests who are unable to attend.
Will there be accessible seating for those who need it?
Yes, accessible seating will be available to guests.
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 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 from the main street parking deck side of the building and follow the signs. Graduates MUST be in line no later than 9 a.m. to participate in the ceremony.
Do I need to bring anything with me?
Graduates should arrive dressed in their cap and gown. 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 provided a reader card when they pick up their cap and gown; they will hand the card to a designated reader before crossing the stage. Distance education students will be able to pick up their reader cards the day of the ceremony. The reader card will include an area for the pronunciation of your name, which readers will use to announce your name as you cross the stage.
Can I record my name for proper pronunciation?
All graduates will receive an email, closer to the ceremony date, with a personalized link to a website where they will be able to record their name, so readers may review the recording ahead of the ceremony.
How do I get my reader card?
Graduates will pick up their reader card when they pick up their cap and gown. Distance education students will be able to pick up their reader card in the lineup area the day of the ceremony.
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.
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:
The deadline to order has now passed, please visit or call the Bradley bookstore for more information.
Distance Education Students
The deadline to order has now passed, please visit or call the Bradley bookstore for more information.
When do I pick up my cap and gown?
Cap and gown can be picked up at the grad fair which is on December 8th from 9:30am to 6pm on the third floor of the Hayden Clark Alumni Center.
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.
Am I allowed to visit campus to take photos in my cap and gown?
Yes, you may come to campus to take photos.
How do grad students return their cap and gown?
Caps and gowns can be returned immediately following the ceremony. A representative from the bookstore will be in the practice gym to accept returns for graduate students.
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 10 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. Diploma covers will NOT be mailed to students who do not attend the ceremony.
Will programs be available at the ceremony?
In an effort to reduce waste, there will be a digital program available for download via QR code at the ceremony. All graduates will receive 2 paper copies of a program with their mailed diploma.
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 a 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 Herff Jones, your tassel will come with your order. The tassel, included with your cap and gown, is specific to the program you are completing. These tassels cannot be ordered separately.
What is a spirit tassel, and how can I get one?
If you ordered a cap and a gown through Herff Jones, your tassel will come with your order. The tassel, included with your cap and gown, is specific to the program you are completing. These tassels cannot be ordered separately. However, Mega-Tassels are Bradley themed tassels that can be ordered from Herff Jones. On-campus students can order Mega-Tassels here. Distance education students can order Mega-Tassels here.
What is a spirit tassel, and how can I get one?
The spirit tassel is a way to show your school spirit by making a contribution of $20.22 to represent your class year and to support the endowed scholarship fund established by the Bradley University Alumni Association (BUAA). You can purchase a spirit tassel here.
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 Herff Jones.
Distance Education Students:
You may do so through Herff Jones.
Does Bradley have yard signs?
Yes! You can order a standard or customizable sign here.
Am I required to participate in my commencement ceremony in order to graduate?
No, if you choose not to participate in your commencement ceremony and you have met the university requirements, you will receive your diploma in the mail.
If I don’t participate in my commencement ceremony, do I still have to apply to graduate?
Yes, you must apply to graduate regardless of participation in a ceremony. For information about how to apply to graduate, please visit the Graduation Info page on the Registrar’s Office website. For information about how to apply to graduate as a graduate student, please visit the Graduate Education page.
