COMMENCEMENT PARTICIPATION

RSVP

Please RSVP if you are a graduating student who plans to attend the Commencement ceremony at parkland.edu/gradrsvp. 

Cap and gowns

Cap and Gown Rental

To participate in commencement on May 11, 2023, you must order your cap and gown before March 31, 2023, online at herff.ly/parkland

Cost of cap and gown rental includes a tassel and cap you may keep.

    • Cap and Gown Rental       $23.00
    • Souvenir Tassel                  $5.00

Cap and Gown Pick Up

Cap and Gown pick-up will be on Monday, May 8, and Tuesday, May 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in room U111. If you are unavailable during these times, please call the Office of Student Life at (217)351-2492 to make special arrangements.

Gown Return

Gown return is done immediately following the ceremony at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. Failure to return gowns that evening will result in a $100 fee charge. 

Approved Regalia

Only approved regalia can be worn to the commencement ceremony. This includes, Parkland Green and Gold gown, Parkland Green cap, Parkland tassel, and approved honors regalia: gold honors cord, SALUTE cord, honors pin, Phi Theta Kappa stole, Psi Beta stole, and Athletic Academic All-American stole. 

Tickets
Tickets are required for your guests to be admitted into the Krannert Center Foellinger Great Hall. Graduates do not need a ticket. To be assured of seating, guests should arrive no later than 7:50 p.m. 

In order to give all students an equal opportunity to have their friends and family in attendance, we guarantee each graduate will receive no fewer than three (3) tickets, if desired. We will ask for your desired number of tickets after we have received your cap and gown order and confirmed your eligibility to participate in the ceremony. We will allocate additional tickets fairly as space allows. 

We will inform you by April 10, 2023, your ticket allocation. Tickets will be distributed during cap and gown pick up in the Office of Student Life in room U-111 on Monday, May 8, and Tuesday, May 9. After Wednesday, May 10 at 5:00 p.m., any remaining tickets will be taken to Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and will be distributed on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Announcements, diploma frames, and diploma covers
Commencement announcements and memorabilia may be ordered through Herff Jones. To order, visit their website at herff.ly/parkland

Padded diploma covers are complimentary for students who participate in the commencement ceremony. You will receive the padded cover as you cross the stage. 

Accessibility
To request accommodations for yourself or a guest attending commencement, please contact Accessibility Services at accessibilityservices@parkland.edu or by calling (217)353-2338.

Photography
If you are interested in portrait quality photos, a professional photographer will be available before the ceremony in the Krannert lobby. Please contact Memory Lane Photography at (217)351-1565 ahead of time to arrange an appointment.

The photographer also will be taking each graduate’s picture as diplomas are received. You will be able to view and order your pictures online within a couple of days. 


Questions:

Students who have questions regarding their graduation status, please contact Cyndy White  cwhite@parkland.edu, U219 or Beth Chepan  bchepan@parkland.edu, U220 in the Admissions Office.

If you need additional information regarding Commencement, please contact the Office of Student Life in room U111 or at 217/351-2492.