Commencement Information

For Graduates

Regalia

This year, Meadville Lombard will provide a robe and hood for you whether you will attend the event or not. If you have not sent in your measurements, please contact Elena Jimenez as soon as possible.

Diploma

If you attend the Commencement Ceremony, you will receive an empty diploma holder during the ceremony. Whether you attend the ceremony or not, your diploma will be mailed to you in late May or early June.

Photography

Vespers, Dinner, and the Commencement Ceremony will be photographed. All photos will be posted on Meadville Lombard's Facebook page. If you would like to get high-resolution files of the photos, please contact Tomo Hillbo, Director of Communications.

Commencement Fees

The commencement fee is $185 and will be billed by the Business Office 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?

The Student Services Office has arranged for discounts at area hotels. Due to the busy weekend in Chicago, we encourage attendees to arrange for accommodations as soon as possible. Please see the local accommodations and travel guide for more information.

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 Kay Watson at (312) 212-0667.

Vespers

Who is in charge of Vespers?

The graduating students arrange all aspects of Vespers with the help of the Rev. Julie Taylor, 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 14, 2022, at 5:00 p.m.

Please note:

Please arrive by 4:45 p.m. to allow time to get through the vaccination check line. The service will start promptly at 5:00 p.m.
All in-person attendees will be asked to show their proof of Covid vaccination and receive a wristband before being allowed to enter the space. Please wear the wristband throughout the Commencement events on Saturday and Sunday.
All in-person attendees are also asked to wear a mask.

Commencement Vespers will be live-streamed on Zoom. https://meadville-edu.zoom.us/j/86750207157
Webinar ID: 867 5020 7157

Commencement Dinner

Where is the Commencement Dinner?

Conviviality and Dinner will be held at the Manor on the 3rd floor of the Virgin Hotels Chicago (203 N. Wabash Ave.), the kitty-corner from the Meadville Lombard, right after Vespers.

All attendees are asked to wear a mask while they are not eating or drinking.

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. 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. 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 Kay Watson 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.

All in-person attendees, except for those who attended events on Saturday, will be asked to show their proof of Covid vaccination and receive a wristband at the entrance.
All in-person attendees are asked to wear the wristband at all times during Commencement.
All in-person attendees are also asked to wear a mask during the ceremony.

It will be live-streamed on our website, Facebook Page, and YouTube channel.

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 handed out on Saturday after Vespers and on Sunday at the First Unitarian Church, from 1:00 p.m. in the RE classrooms on the north side of the church. Graduates and those participating in the Commencement procession are invited to robe there.

When should I arrive at First Unitarian Church on Sunday?

We will take a class photo before the ceremony, promptly at 2:15 p.m. Please arrive at 1:00 p.m. to allow ample time to pick up your robe and get ready for the photo.

Is photography allowed at Commencement?

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