Commencement

We employ many avenues to keep you informed about Commencement. This is an exciting time and we don’t want you to miss anything! First and foremost, check your BEN.EDU email. Emails go out to graduating students at least monthly with very timely and important information. Secondly, check this web site. We will update this site regularly with all of the most up to date information. Social media – watch your feeds for information and fun videos! Finally, look around campus – signage, electronic boards, display case by Starbucks, cardboard cut outs located around the campus. Stay alert – there just might be contests and prizes attached to these cut outs!

Participation in the Commencement Convocation is optional but encouraged. Diplomas are mailed after the degree conferral process is completed at the end of each term.

The Office of the Registrar sends diplomas 4 to 6 weeks after degree conferral directly from our printing company to your home address.

Degrees will be reflected on your academic transcript after the record has been reviewed, confirming that all graduation requirements have been satisfied. This process is called degree conferral.

Not being in good financial or academic standing with the University. You must be in good financial standing before receiving your cap and gown, and be enrolled in an academic program that will be completed by the end of the summer term (if necessary to fulfill degree requirements).

Yes. Click HERE for details on ordering personalized invitations and announcements.

No.

Business casual or formal dress is suggested. Adornments such as corsages and pins are not traditionally worn as a part of the regalia. The cap should be worn flat on the top of the head and signs are not recommended. Caps or gowns decorated with inappropriate messages will not be permitted. We highly recommend wearing comfortable shoes as you will be walking in a procession.

As an associate or bachelor’s degree candidate, you wear your tassel on the right side. After your degree conferral is announced and all diploma covers are distributed, you will switch the tassel to the left side. As a master’s and doctoral degree candidate, you wear your tassel on the left side.

Only undergraduate students graduate with honors distinctions.

Graduation honors are determined on the basis of coursework completed only at Benedictine University. Eligibility for graduation honors is contingent upon completion of the following specified undergraduate credit hours (excluding external credit hours), and achieved cumulative GPAs.

With completion of 30-53.99 undergraduate credit hours and achievement of the following cumulative GPA, this graduation honor is awarded:

• 3.500 to 4.000 With Honors

With completion of at least 54 undergraduate credit hours and achievement of the following cumulative GPAs, these graduation honors are awarded:

• 3.900 to 4.000 Summa Cum Laude
• 3.750 to 3.899 Magna Cum Laude
• 3.500 to 3.749 Cum Laude

Honor cords are only distributed to undergraduate students who qualify.

For the Lisle Campus: Honor Cords will be distributed at the Night of Honor & Gratitude Ceremony on April 26^th at 4:00pm in the Goodwin Auditorium.

For the Mesa Campus: Please contact Myra Carlos for Honor Cords at [email protected]

Academic Honor Cords for qualified undergraduate students will be distributed at the Night of Honor and Gratitude

There are no graduation honors for students earning master’s and doctoral degrees.

Yes, you may decorate your cap. Your decorating must not include any inappropriate content and no profanity.

Undergraduate Hooding has been replaced by the Undergraduate Stole of Gratitude Ceremony.

Definition of the Stole of Gratitude

The Stole of Gratitude represents appreciation to those who helped our graduates through their educational journey and offers the opportunity to say “Thank you for helping me make it.” The “Stole” is an important part of the graduate regalia worn during the commencement ceremony. A Stole of Gratitude is a beautiful way to thank someone for their support throughout the graduate’s time at Benedictine University. Our graduates have the option of presenting their “Stole” or purchase an additional “Stole” to present to the person who had the greatest impact on their journey, be it a parent, relative or mentor.

Stole of Gratitude Ceremony

A new tradition for Benedictine is the Stole of Gratitude Ceremony. This ceremony is an opportunity for graduates to show their gratitude to the person or persons who have been of the most help to them throughout their college education. They are given a Stole of Gratitude with their academic regalia. It is brought to the Stole of Gratitude Ceremony where they can choose a faculty or staff member to ceremoniously “stole” them. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to have a few minutes of time with either the President or the Provost. This is an opportunity for graduates to speak about their experiences at Benedictine – truly an honor for the President and the Provost as well!

The Stole of Gratitude will also be blessed at both the Commencement Mass and Interfaith Convocation, if attended. As the theme throughout Commencement will be one of gratitude, our undergraduates will wear the “Stole” at Commencement. Graduates will also have an opportunity to present a commemorative Stole of Gratitude to their biggest advocate throughout their college years, either at the Stole of Gratitude Ceremony or after Commencement.

The Commencement Ceremony will be held at the Rosemont Theatre. There will not be tickets distributed for this event We kindly ask that each graduate limit their number of guests to a maximum of 4.

There are no ticket limits for the ceremony in Mesa.

This information is coming soon.

Yes, you can walk in Lisle if you have attended Mesa or vice versa. We are one University and as such, it is your choice where you would like to receive your diploma. You will need to register to participate in the Commencement Events of the campus that you want just to keep us organized and ready for you!

Yes, we will live stream the ceremony. The link will be listed on the Commencement web.

The student will pick one degree for their regalia order – as they can’t wear two tassels or hoods! The student needs to decide if they want to wear for example: an apricot tassel/hood (Master of Science in Nursing – MSN) or tan tassel/hood, (Master of Business Administration – MBA). The Campus Store will be selling additional tassels before Commencement enabling the student to purchase another tassel with the other degree’s color allowing them to have both. DO NOT ORDER AN EXTRA TASSEL ONLINE OR ORDER TWO CAPS AND GOWNS. You select your degree when you get started with your order so this will not work! Visit the Campus Store.

The University’s policy is to allow students who hold a balance on their account to walk in the Commencement Ceremony. However, a diploma will only be mailed out to students who have a zero balance on their student account.