Commencement

You can find previous announcements and emails you may have missed below.

• GET READY FOR GRAD EXPO NEXT WEEK! (3/31/25)

  

  Welcome Back Graduate,

  Below are your weekly reminders to get you prepped and ready to attend next week's Grad Expo! 🎓✨

  1.  ORDER YOUR CAP & GOWN TODAY

  1. DON'T WAIT! YOU MUST ORDER YOUR CAP & GOWN VIA HERFF JONES. 
     • The information you provided on your graduation application does not automatically order your cap and gown.
  2. THERE'S NO OUT OF POCKET COST TO YOU.
     • Click here
     • Select CAP AND GOWN
     • Select ORDER NOW.
     • If you choose to order additional memorabilia (frames, stoles, rings, etc.), you will incur a cost.
  3. YOUR CAP & GOWN WILL SHIP DIRECTLY TO YOUR PREFERRED ADDRESS.

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  2. TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO APPLY FOR THE COMMENCEMENT COMPETITIONS

  Represent your class by applying for one of the three commencement competitions below.
  Click here for more info and to apply. The deadline to apply is TONIGHT AT 11:59PM CDT.

  

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  3. GET READY FOR GRAD EXPO

  WHEN: Wednesday, April 9th (10am - 3pm) OR Thursday, April 10th (3pm – 6pm). 
  WHERE: The Student Center
  WHY:  Make sure all of your graduation details are in order. Choose which day and time works best for you. Come by and stay for as long as you'd like.

  • Double check your graduation audit
  • Explore financial planning after graduation
  • Have your graduation portraits taken
  • Order your graduation memorabilia (stoles, etc.)
  • Find out what to expect at this year's Manifest
  • Learn more about Commencement 2025
  • PICK UP YOUR 7 COMMENCEMENT TICKETS!

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  Questions about your ceremony date, time, location, etc.? Read our FAQ'S. 

  For additional info, visit students.colum.edu/commencement, or email commencement@colum.edu.
• Before You Go... (3/19/25)
  

  Hello Graduate,

  We get it. Spring break is calling your name. But before you unplug, take a sec to order your free cap and gown. Yep, FREE. Just follow the steps below. And while you're at it, check out a few other Commencement reminders—you got this! 🎓✨

  1.  ORDER YOUR CAP & GOWN TODAY

  • DON'T WAIT! YOU MUST ORDER YOUR CAP & GOWN VIA HERFF JONES. 
    • The information you provided on your graduation application does not automatically order your cap and gown.
  • THERE'S NO OUT OF POCKET COST TO YOU.
    • Click here
    • Select CAP AND GOWN
    • Select ORDER NOW.
    • If you choose to order additional memorabilia (frames, stoles, rings, etc.), you will incur a cost.
  • YOUR CAP & GOWN WILL SHIP DIRECTLY TO YOUR PREFERRED ADDRESS.

  
  

  2. APPLY FOR THE COMMENCEMENT COMPETITIONS

  Represent your class by applying for one of the three commencement competitions below.
  Click here for more info and to apply. The deadline to apply is Monday, March 31.

  

  3. GET READY FOR GRAD EXPO

  WHEN: Wednesday, April 9th (10am - 3pm) OR Thursday, April 10th (3pm – 6pm). 
  WHERE: The Student Center
  WHY:  Make sure all of your graduation details are in order. Choose which day and time works best for you. Come by and stay for as long as you'd like.

  • Double check your graduation audit
  • Explore financial planning after graduation
  • Have your graduation portraits taken
  • Order your graduation memorabilia (stoles, etc.)
  • Find out what to expect at this year's Manifest
  • Learn more about Commencement 2025
  • PICK UP YOUR 7 COMMENCEMENT TICKETS!

  

  4. BE SURE TO READ THE COMMENCEMENT FAQ'S

  Questions about your ceremony date, time, location, etc.? Read our FAQ'S. 

  ---

  For additional info, visit students.colum.edu/commencement, or email commencement@colum.edu.
• What Are You Waiting For? Order Your Cap & Gown Today! (2/18/25)

  

  Hello Graduate,

  Are you excited about the big day? Below are your Commencement Reminders.

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  ORDER YOUR CAP & GOWN TODAY

  
  

  1.  DON'T WAIT! YOU MUST ORDER YOUR CAP & GOWN VIA HERFF JONES
  The information you provided on your graduation application does not automatically order your cap and gown. 

  2.  THERE'S NO OUT OF POCKET COST TO YOU.  
  That's right! It costs $0.00 to order your robe.

  Click here >

  Select CAP and GOWN >

  Select ORDER NOW.

  If you choose to order additional memorabilia (frames, stoles, rings, etc.), you will incur a cost.

  3.  YOUR CAP & GOWN WILL SHIP DIRECTLY TO YOUR PREFERRED ADDRESS.

  ---

  APPLY FOR THE COMMENCEMENT COMPETITIONS

  Represent your class by applying for one of the three commencement competitions below.
  Click here for more info and to apply. the deadline to apply is Monday, March 31.

  

  ---

  COMPOSE THE MANIFEST SONG AND WIN $1,000

  Compose the 2025 Manifest Song, perform LIVE at the Kick-Off and be featured in the Manifest video! The selected artist will win $1,000 and become a part of Manifest history! Submissions are open, so start composing! Click here for info!
  
  

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  BE SURE TO READ THE COMMENCEMENT FAQ'S

  Do you have questions about your ceremony date, time, location, how many tickets you will receive, etc.? Then head over to visit https://students.colum.edu/commencement/faqs, your one-stop shop for all questions concerning the big day.

  For additional info, visit students.colum.edu/commencement, or email commencement@colum.edu.
• GRADUATES: It's Time to Order Your Cap & Gown (1/27/25)

  

  Hello Graduate,

  The countdown to graduation is here! Before you know it, you’ll be walking across that stage.
  Before we make it to the big day, here are a couple of reminders:

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  ORDER YOUR CAP & GOWN TODAY

  1. You must order your cap and gown via the Herff Jones website!
     The information you provided on your graduation application does NOT automatically order your cap and gown. 

  2. There's no out of pocket cost to you!
     That's right, it costs $0.00 to order your robe, so don't wait.  Just click here > select 'CAP AND GOWN' > ORDER NOW.  If you choose to order additional memorabilia (frames, stoles, rings, souvenir tassles, custom cap, etc.), you will be charged for those items.
     

  3. Your cap & gown will be shipped directly to your preferred mailing address.

  4. The deadline to order your cap & gown is Monday, April 14th. 

  ---

  APPLY FOR THE COMMENCEMENT COMPETITIONS

  Represent your class by applying for one of the three student speaker competitions below. Click here for more info and to apply.
  

  

  ---

  COMPOSE THE MANIFEST SONG AND WIN $1,000

  Compose the 2025 Manifest Song, perform LIVE at the Kick-Off and be featured in the Manifest Video!  The selected artist will win $1,000 and become a part of Manifest history.  Submissions are open, so start composing!  Click here for info.

  

  ---

  BE SURE TO READ THE COMMENCEMENT FAQ'S

  
  Do you have questions about your ceremony date, time, location, how many tickets you will receive, etc.? Then head over to visit https://students.colum.edu/commencement/faqs, your one-stop shop for all questions concerning the big day.

  ---

  For additional information, please visit students.colum.edu/commencement, or email commencement@colum.edu.

Dear Graduates, 

We are proud that you have reached this milestone, and we wish you the best as you embark on your professional journey. We are looking forward to seeing you at your Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at the Credit Union 1 Arena, (525 S. Racine Avenue, Chicago, IL). The ceremony times are 11:00am and 4:30pm and all graduates will be given seven tickets. 

If you plan to participate in the ceremony, it is important for you to stay informed about Commencement planning. Please continue to monitor your Columbia email, the Commencement Website, and ensure you have access to the All Things Commencement group in the Engage Portal. All graduates should refer to the Graduation Checklist to make sure you have completed all necessary steps prior to your ceremony.  

There are several Commencement competitions that you are eligible to participate in which will open during the spring semester. The Student Speaker Selection, the Commencement Photography and Poetry competitions will each feature a graduate from your class. As you continue to monitor Commencement communications, look out for these competitions, and consider entering your work.

Once again, congratulations and I look forward to seeing you at Manifest and Commencement! 

Sincerely, 

Dr. Sharon Wilson-Taylor, Ph.D. 
Vice President of Student Affairs