MAY 2, 2026
The Commencement ceremony is the capstone to a weekend full of gatherings, receptions, and other events to showcase and celebrate the graduates’ achievements and their time at Loras College.
Know the Schedule
For different language options, click the globe icon at the top of that page.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25
GRADUATION FAIR
11:00 a.m. & 4:30 p.m. | alumni campus center
Graduates muct attend one of the two fair times:
- 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
BEFORE THE FAIR
- Complete the destination survey provided in your grad fair invitation.
- Ensure your student account balance is paid in full on or before March 20.
- Print your authorization form, which will be emailed the afternoon of March 24 from the Business Office.
- Complete the loan exit counseling with the Office of Financial Planning (if applicable)
- Pre-order your cap and gown by February 23 for easy pickup while attending the fair. A link will be provided early November.
AFTER THE FAIR
- Pick up your cap, gown, medallion (and hood, if you are a graduate student)
- Receive your guest tickets for the commencement ceremony.
- Finalize graduation details with supporting offices – Financial Planning, Student Accounts, Timing of laptop return information, and more.
- Stoles will be available for purchase.
After March 25, cap and gown pick-up will be in Dewey’s Perch. Bring your printed authorization form from the business office to receive your items.
Please note the following:
- If the cap or gown needs to be replaced, a $75 charge will be assessed.
- Due to their limited quantity, medallions can’t be replaced.
THURSDAY, APRIL 30
SENIOR DINNER
5:30 p.m. | Alumni Campus Center Ballroom
Graduating seniors must RSVP to attend the dinner and will receive an email from Student Life with information and instructions.
SENIOR SOCIAL
7:00 p.m. | Loras Pub
Immediately following dinner, join your graduating classmates, faculty, and staff for a social in the pub.
FRIDAY, MAY 1
COMMENCEMENT PRACTICE
9:30 a.m. | Arrive lower level of the Patrick J. Lillis (’71) Athletic & Wellness Center (AWC)
9:45 a.m. | Commencement practice begins
All graduates must attend Commencement practice. A seating chart and directions for lining up will be emailed from the Registar’s Office prior to practice. Rehearsal will last approximately one hour.
Masters Hooding Ceremony @ 4:00 p.m. Alumni Campus Center
A hooding ceremony and reception is held for all master’s level graduates at 4:00 p.m. in the Alumni Campus Center (ACC) Ballroom. This is an invitation-only event. An email will be sent to the graduates in March with event details and a RSVP deadline. Students with additional questions should contact their graduate program director.
SATURDAY, MAY 2
10:00 a.m. | Christ the King Chapel
Baccalaureate Mass is held at the Christ the King Chapel, located at 1500 Alta Vista Street, Dubuque, Iowa. Mass begins at 10:00 a.m. with the doors to the church opening at 9:30 a.m.
GRADUATE & FACULTY PROCESSION
9:30 a.m. | Graduates and faculty gather in full regalia (caps and gowns) by the Grotto in the Smyth Hall turnaround.
9:50 a.m. | Procession begins to Christ the King Chapel.
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
1:30 p.m. | Patrick J. Lillis (’71) Athletic & Wellness Center (AWC)
12:30 p.m. | Doors open for guests
1:00 p.m. | Graduates and faculty gather in the lower level of the AWC
1:30 p.m. | Procession begins
COMMENCEMENT SEATING & STREAMING
Seating
Streaming
Doors will open at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are required.
Guests requiring accessible seating should seek an usher for assistance. Limited assessible seating will be available. More information will be provided in the February Commencement information email.
You can view the live streaming of Commencement at home or in the ACC Ballrooms with a guest ticket.
PARKING
All parking lots on the Loras campus will be open and parking is free. A limited number of golf carts will be available at the Keane Hall lot to shuttle guests to and from the AWC beginning at noon and continuing until 1:30 p.m. and available after the ceremony’s conclusion.
The Hennessy Hall parking lot (13A on map) is reserved for guests needing accessible parking. Volunteers will be on hand to assist.
LUNCH TICKETS
Following Baccalaureate Mass, lunch will be offered in the Alumni Campus Center Cafeteria from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Lunch tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets are $10.00 per person, kids ten and under are $8.50.
Order tickets here from January 5 – April 27.
COMMENCEMENT DAY LUNCH MENU
- Scrambled Eggs
- Sausage Patties
- Cheesy Hashbrowns
- Waffle Bar Station with assorted toppings
- Chardonnay Chicken
- Vegetable
- Pizza
- Salad Bar
- Deli Bar
- Assorted Desserts
- Beverage Station
For questions, please contact Gary Driscoll, Director of Dining Services, gary.driscoll@loras.edu
PHOTOGRAPHY
Individual photographs will be taken of each graduate crossing the stage and again off the stage. The proofs and an order form will be emailed to each graduate and linked below. No pre-ordering or pre-payment is necessary.
ANNOUCEMENTS & MEMORABILIA
Order your Loras College announcements, diploma frames, and class rings through our preferred vendor, Herff Jones. Search colleges and find your personalized options ready to be branded with Loras College.
You can now pre-order flowers or graduation bears and pick up when you arrive on campus for the commencement ceremony. An ordering link will be provided early February.
REQUIREMENTS TO PARTICIPATE
To be eligible to participate in commencement, you must:
- Complete all degree requirements by December 2026, as stated in the undergraduate or graduate bulletin.
- Complete and submit the Application for Graduation no later than February 1, 2026. Applying for graduation after this date may result in not being eligible to participate in commencement and graduating in absentia.
- Pay your student account balance in full by March 20. Once completed, an authorization email will be sent out.
DIPLOMAS
You will receive a diploma cover during the ceremony. Diplomas will be mailed approximately four to six weeks after the degree has been conferred to the address indicated on the Application for Graduation form. If the diploma is to be sent to a different address, email the Registrar’s Office or call 563.588.7779.
Note: Participation in the commencement ceremony does not signify graduation from Loras College. Diplomas will not be sent for students who do not complete the academic requirements for graduation or who have an outstanding balance due to the College.
LAPTOP, EMAIL & NETWORK SPACE
All graduating seniors’ email accounts, network space, and personal web pages will stay active until June 30, 2026. Please review the laptop return instructions and information.
DEWEY’S PERCH
The Loras Spirit Shop will be open on Saturday, May 2 from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Make time to stop by to purchase new Loras gear for you and your grad.
LOCAL HOTELS
If you are traveling to Dubuque and plan to stay overnight in the Dubuque area, we recommend you call early to reserve a hotel room. Visit Travel Dubuque for local options.