COMMENCEMENT LUNCHEON
Information will be updated shortly.
 
INFORMATION FOR GUESTS
Commencement will be held in the Rock Bowl Stadium.  Because seating is limited, guests are encouraged to arrive early.  The Rock Bowl is a stadium with plank seating only; guests are encouraged to bring cushions and seat backs.  There is limited handicapped and wheel chair seating.
 
In case of inclement weather, Commencement will be held in the Athletic and Wellness Center, 1600 Cox Street.  The Center, which seats approximately 2000, is air-conditioned, and handicapped accessible.  Seating will be available on the main floor for guests with special needs or anyone not comfortable climbing steps.  Handicapped seating and wheel chair seating is also available on the upper level.
 

COMMENCEMENT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS

• Commencement will be held in the Rock Bowl Stadium.  The ceremony will begin at 1:30pm. 
• Students gather in Graber Center by 1:00pm. 
Students wear full commencement apparel and have assigned seating based on degree earned and name.  A seating chart/directions for lining up will be emailed to graduates prior to commencement practice.
 
• In case of inclement weather, Commencement will be held in the Athletic and Wellness Center, 1600 Cox Street.
• Students gather in the ACC/Cafeteria by 1:00pm.  Graduates will process to the Athletic and Wellness Center via the bridge.   
Students wear full commencement apparel and have assigned seating based on degree earned and name.  A seating chart/directions for lining up will be emailed to graduates prior to commencement practice.
 
COMMENCEMENT PRACTICE
• Rehearsal for commencement will be held at 9:45am on Friday, May 18th, in the Cafeteria.  
• Please be on time and make every effort to attend this practice.  Graduates will be emailed a seating chart for commencement prior to practice. Commencement practice will last approximately 45 minutes. 
  
REQUIREMENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMENCEMENT 
To be eligible to participate in commencement a student must:

1. Complete all degree requirements as stated in the Loras College Undergraduate Bulletin.

2. Submit a completed Application for Graduation Form to the Registrar's Office no later than December 2, 2011. Students applying for graduation after this date may not be eligible to participate in commencement but will graduate in absentia.

3. Pay account balance and graduation fee in full.

DIPLOMAS
Students will receive a diploma cover during the ceremony. Diplomas will be mailed to students approximately three to five weeks after commencement to the address indicated on the Application for Graduation form.

If the diploma is to be sent to a different address, notify the Registrar's Office by one of the following methods:
      1) in person in Room 135 Keane Hall
      2) via U.S. mail: 
          Loras College Campus Mail #1, Loras College,

          Dubuque, IA 52004-0178
      3) by fax at 563.588.4962
      4) by email to registrar@loras.edu

Note: Participation in the commencement ceremony DOES NOT signify graduation from Loras College. Diplomas will be held for students who do not complete the academic requirements for graduation or who have an outstanding balance due the college.
 

GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Standard Loras graduation announcements may be purchased in bundles of ten through the Barnes and Noble Bookstore located in the Academic Resource Center.
• The deadline to order personalized announcements is April 18, 2012. Students wishing to order custom invitations after April18, 2012 may do so; however, the bookstore is unable to guarantee delivery prior to graduation.  You may order personalized graduation announcements (including graduate's names, major and degree) by going to www.herff-jones.com/college/graduation. 
• A Herff-Jones representative will be on campus during the Graduation Event in the Ballroom (April 17, 2012).
• The Bookstore's telephone number is 563.588.7130 and the web link is http://loras.bncollege.com.
• Students interested in ordering diploma frames (custom imprinted with the Loras seal and the Loras College name on the matte), may contact the Barnes and Noble Bookstore directly at 563.588.7130 or go to www.framingsuccess.com.
 
COMMENCEMENT APPAREL
• Commencement apparel may be picked up during the Barnes and Noble Bookstore Graduation Event or any time after in the Loras College Bookstore. The commencement apparel does not need to be returned to the Bookstore - it is yours to keep.
• To receive your apparel, you must have an authorization form from the Business Office.  Authorization forms will be emailed to eligible students after March 21, 2012. The student must print the form and present it to the Bookstore personnel in order to receive commencement apparel. If you do not receive an authorization form, please contact the Business Office, 563.588.7232.
• If the commencement apparel needs to be replaced prior to graduation, a charge of $75.00 will be assessed for replacement apparel. 

GUEST SEATING
Open seating will be available for guests at no charge in the Rock Bowl Stadium and/or the Athletic and Wellness Center. Tickets are not required for Baccalaureate or Commencement. Seating will be available on a first-come first-served basis.
 
PARKING
There is no charge to park on the Loras College campus on commencement day. All parking lots will be open for use.  For the safety and comfort of everyone, students and guests are reminded not to park in posted NO PARKING areas as well as in any roadway or turnaround on the campus property. Cars parked illegally will be ticketed and towed. If you have questions regarding parking, please contact the Loras College Office of Safety and Security at 563.588.7114.
 
PICTURES
Jolesch Photography will photograph each graduate twice: once as the graduate receives the diploma cover and a second pose with the diploma after exiting the stage. The proofs and an order form will be mailed to the graduate. No pre-ordering or pre-payment is necessary.
 
BARNES AND NOBLE BOOKSTORE
Barnes and Noble Bookstore will also be open on Saturday, May 19, 2012 from 12:00pm (noon) - 4:00pm.  The Bookstore carries Loras logo clothing, Loras College rings, and other college memorabilia. Loras College Bookstore
 
 
LOCAL HOTELS
If you are traveling to Dubuque and plan to stay overnight in the Dubuque area, we recommend that you call early to reserve a hotel room. For information on local hotels and attractions, please feel free to visit the Dubuque Chamber of Commerce and Galena Chamber of Commerce websites:

http://www.dubuquechamber.com
http://galenachamber.com/index.html