MAY 1, 2027
Know the Schedule
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.
The 2027 Commencement ceremony is reserved for graduates and their guests and is a ticketed event; a ticket is required for entry.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31
GRADUATION FAIR
alumni campus center – Marie graber ballroom
Graduates must 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
- 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 30 from the Business Office.
- If you are interested in purchasing a stole to designate your participation in Athletics, Student Leader, and First Generation, you may pre-order by visiting Dewey’s Perch.
AT THE FAIR
- Pick up your cap, gown, medallion (and hood, if you are a graduate student)
- Receive your guest tickets for the commencement ceremony. Number of guest tickets for each graduate will be shared in the February Commencement email.
- Finalize graduation details with supporting offices – Financial Planning, Student Accounts, Information Technology for information to return laptop
- Stoles will be available for purchase.
After March 31, 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 29
SENIOR DINNER
5:30 p.m. | Alumni Campus Center – Marie Graber 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.
SENIOR SUNSET
7:30 p.m. | Rock Bowl
Immediately following the social in the pub, the Class of 2027 will gather in the Rock Bowl one final time for a celebratory champagne toast.
FRIDAY, APRIL 30
COMMENCEMENT PRACTICE
9:30 a.m. | Arrive lower level of the Patrick J. Lillis (’71) Athletic & Wellness Center (AWC)
9:45 a.m. | Practice begins and will conclude at approximately 11:00 a.m.
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.
MASTERS HOODING CEREMONY
4:00 p.m. | Alumni Campus Center – Marie Graber Ballroom
A hooding ceremony and reception is held for all master’s level graduates at 4:00 p.m. in the Alumni Campus Center – Marie Graber 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 1
BACCALAUREATE MASS
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) near the Grotto in the Smyth Hall turnaround.
9:50 a.m. | Procession begins to Christ the King Chapel.
In case of rain, graduates should go directly to their reserved seating section at Christ the King church by 9:45 a.m.
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
1:30 p.m. | Patrick J. Lillis (’71) Athletic & Wellness Center (AWC)
12:30 p.m. | Doors open for guests. Tickets are required. (Guest seating will not begin until 12:30 p.m.)
1:00 p.m. | Graduates and faculty gather in the lower level of the AWC
1:30 p.m. | Procession begins
Requesting Accessible Seating Accommodations:
At Loras College, we are committed to providing a welcoming and accessible Commencement experience for all guests.
Limited accessible seating is available for guests with disabilities who require accommodation. Doors open to all guests at 12:30 p.m., including those who have requested seating.
To reserve accessible seating, students MUST register their guest by March 15 by accessing the form here.
Each request includes one accessible seat and one companion seat (two seats total).
For questions, please contact Sabrina Schultz-McClain, Director of the Lynch Learning Center, at sabrina.schultz@loras.edu
COMMENCEMENT STREAMING
You can view the live streaming of Commencement at home or in the Alumni Campus Center – Marie Graber Ballroom.
PARKING
All parking lots across the Loras campus will be open to the public, with the exception of the ACC parking lot near Einstein’s Bagels. The ACC lot will be reserved throughout the day, starting at 7:00AM, for guests requiring accessible parking during the day’s events.
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.
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 $10.75 per person, kids ten and under are $9.00.
Order tickets here from February 1 – April 23. (link will be available on February 1)
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.
(link coming soon)
ANNOUNCEMENTS & 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.
FLOWERS & GRADUATION BEARS
Surprise your graduate with a gift of flowers or a graduation bear. Items will be available for purchase at the ceremony, but you can plan early by pre-ordering and pick up when you arrive on campus for the commencement ceremony. PRE-ORDER HERE.
REQUIREMENTS TO PARTICIPATE
To be eligible to participate in commencement, you must:
- Complete all degree requirements by December 2027, as stated in the undergraduate or graduate bulletin.
- Complete and submit the Application for Graduation no later than February 1, 2027. 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, 2027. Please review the laptop return instructions and information.
DEWEY’S PERCH
The Loras Spirit Shop will be open on Saturday, May 1 from 9:00 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.