Commencement Information

For Graduates

Regalia

Meadville Lombard will provide a robe and hood for graduates who will be present in Chicago for the ceremony and for in absentia graduates upon request. If you have not sent in your measurements, please contact Elena Jimenez as soon as possible.

Diploma

We plan to distribute diplomas during the Commencement Ceremony for all graduates who are present in person. Those graduates who are not present will receive your diploma by mail in late May or early June.

Photography

Vespers, Dinner, and the Commencement Ceremony will be photographed. Select photos will be posted on Meadville Lombard's Facebook page. If you would like to request high-resolution files of the photos, please contact Chloë Westerfield, Marketing and Communications Officer.

Commencement Fees

The commencement fee is $185 and will be billed through Populi. This fee helps to defray the costs of commencement activities, as well as graduate audits and diploma printing. The fee applies to all graduates, regardless of whether or not you attend commencement, and must be paid in full in order to receive a diploma.

Frequently Asked Questions about Commencement

General

Does Meadville Lombard have recommendations for affordable hotels?

We have a list of affordable hotels around our campus. Please see the local accommodations and travel guide for more information. Due to the busy weekend in Chicago, we encourage attendees to arrange for accommodations as soon as possible.

Please note: this information is provided as a resource only. Meadville Lombard does not endorse or recommend any particular housing option.

If I have other questions not addressed in the FAQ, whom should I contact?

Please contact Elena Jimenez at (312) 212-0672 or Faysha Crosbie at (312) 445-9221.

Vespers

Who is in charge of Vespers?

The graduating students arrange all aspects of Vespers with the help of the Senior Director of Contextual Ministry.

Where and when will Vespers be held?

Vespers will be held at Meadville Lombard at 180 N. Wabash Ave., 7th Floor, on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.

Please note:

Please arrive by 4:50 p.m. The service will start promptly at 5:00 p.m.

Commencement Vespers is an intimate event, led by the graduating students for their classmates, alums, ML staff & faculty, internship supervisors, and family and friends. The Zoom link will be shared with the students so they can invite their circle of friends and supporters who loved them through their studies at MLTS.

Commencement Dinner

Where is the Commencement Dinner?

The 2025 Commencement Dinner will be at the Virgin Hotel, 203 N. Wabash Avenue, diagonal from the Meadville Lombard building.

Who can attend this dinner? How many people can I bring?

This is a ticketed, seated dinner, and space is limited. Graduates will have an option to bring up to two guests and may request additional tickets if space is available. Please contact Elena if you have any questions.

Is there a dress code?

There is no dress code, but we suggest business or business casual.

I or my guests are vegan/gluten-free/pescatarian. Will there be options for us?

We will do our best to accommodate all dietary restrictions and preferences. However, we must know about them ahead of time. If you didn't provide the dietary information for you and your guests on the "Intent to Graduate" form or need to edit the information, please email Faysha Crosbie and let her know as soon as possible.

Commencement

Where will Commencement be held?

Commencement will be held at the First Unitarian Church of Chicago at 5650 S. Woodlawn Avenue.

Will the ceremony be live-streamed?

The ceremony will be streamed via Zoom. There will be a link below by the week of the ceremony to watch the ceremony on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. Central.

The Commencement program will be available in a booklet form for in-person attendees. Online attendees can access the program via PDF - a link will be available here prior to the ceremony.

Is there a dress code at Commencement?

There is no dress code. Commencement is being held at First Unitarian Church of Chicago, so please wear what you'd wear to church or a similarly formal event.

Will there be childcare available?

We welcome children at Commencement. However, Meadville Lombard cannot arrange for childcare.

Where do I pick up my robe?

Robes and hoods for graduates will be available on Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Meadville Lombard, as well as on Saturday prior to or following Vespers. We encourage you to pick it up in advance so you can steam out wrinkles by hanging it in a bathroom with a hot shower running or by using a steamer. If you are not able to pick up your robe on Friday or Saturday, we will bring it to First Unitarian Church. It will be available beginning at 1:00 p.m. Graduates and those participating in the Commencement procession are invited to robe there.

When should I arrive at First Unitarian Church on Sunday?

Graduates should arrive by 1:45 p.m. We encourage guests to arrive by 2:30 p.m.

Is photography allowed at Commencement?

Yes, you are welcome to take pictures, but only without flash. During the Ceremony, we ask that all flashes be turned off. We will also have a photographer.