Graduation is the official academic conferring/awarding of degrees earned. It is not the ceremony. Dominican confers degrees five times each year. 

Commencement is a celebratory event honoring graduating students.  Dominican holds two commencement ceremonies every academic year: One in May for all students completing degrees in the Spring and Summer semesters within the academic year and one in December for students completing degrees in the Fall.

Participation in a Commencement ceremony does not represent satisfactory completion of all degree requirements. Students do not receive an official diploma or have access to their official transcript signifying graduation, until all course requirements have been fulfilled. 

For more information regarding academic requirements or questions, contact the Registrar's Office at registrar@dom.edu.

The Spring Commencement Ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 10, 2026 at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont, Illinois. 

Noon - Undergraduate Ceremony
4:30 p.m. - Graduate Ceremony

The number of available tickets depends on the number of graduates in the ceremony. Each student participating in Commencement will receive six tickets for their respective ceremony, Undergraduate or Graduate.

Admission to commencement is by ticket only for all guests (including babies/children). Graduates do not need a ticket. Only graduates participating in the Commencement Ceremony receive tickets for guests. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors open one hour before the ceremony. Seating is general admission (first come, first served).

If available, leftover tickets will be distributed by lottery about one week ahead of the ceremony date. For more information about tickets, visit the Where Do I Get My Tickets page on Canvas.

There will be no Commencement rehearsal. Additional information will also be posted on the website. 

Line-up begins one hour before the ceremony at the Rosemont Theatre. All students should enter the doors located on the south side of the building and check in. Students will be directed to locations based upon their college. There is no storage area for coats, bags, or other personal items. Leave these items with family or in your vehicle.

Graduates will receive a seating/reading card at the check-in tables. Use the information on the card to go to your line-up room and begin to line-up. 

For the Undergraduate Ceremony, all graduates must be in line no later than 11:30 a.m. The procession will begin at 11:45 a.m. For the Graduate Ceremony, all graduates must be in line no later than 4 p.m. The procession will begin at 4:15 p.m. Student marshals will assist you during the procession; please follow their directions and make sure you move all the way down the row to your seat. After you reach your seat, remain standing in your place until the stage party is in place and seated.

Yes, a photographer will be on site for Commencement Weekend.  Graduates will have an opportunity to pre-register on the Grad Images website to save up to 20%.  The link will be posted during the spring semester. Since photographs will be available, family members and guests are encouraged to remain in their seats, relax and enjoy the ceremony. 

On Saturday, May 9, Baccalaureate Mass and the Candle and Rose Ceremony will be streamed live in English. On Sunday, May 10, the Undergraduate and Graduate Commencement Ceremonies will be streamed live in English and with Spanish subtitles. Links will be shared via the Commencement Livestream page closer to the date. 

All graduating students participating in the Commencement or Candle & Rose ceremonies must wear regalia. Please see the Order Regalia assignment in Canvas.

Honors cords may be worn for designation of membership or achievement. Check with your organization or department for honors cord guidelines. 

Cords for Latin Honors will be distributed at the Countdown to Commencement Resource Fair on March 25, 2026. Additional details will be emailed to those receiving a cord.

All participants must wear official regalia. Undergraduate students should bring cap, tassel, and gown (as well as honors cords and/or stoles if applicable.) All other items should be left with family or in your vehicle. 

Attire should be business appropriate (i.e., no jeans, flip-flops, shorts etc.). We want to make sure that you look your best when you walk across the stage. Please leave your purses or any other items with family members so you do not carry them as you process.

The regalia is the "keepsake" variety—graduates do not need to return regalia after the commencement ceremonies. The regalia is yours to keep. 

You can purchase printed announcements through Herff Jones. 

You can purchase an official Dominican ring or university jewelry from Herff Jones.

Each student participating in the Undegraduate Commencement ceremony will receive one (1) parking pass for the Rosemont Theatre parking lot via email with their tickets. Only parking pass holders will be able to park in this lot. A parking pass may be given to a guest. Please carefully consider who should use this guaranteed, free parking spot at the venue. Carpooling is recommended. 

Each student participating in the Graduate Commencement ceremony may park up to two vehicles in the Rosemont Theatre lot at no charge — no parking pass is required.

Ample paid parking is available in garages around the Rosemont area. A map of the area is located on the Rosemont Theatre’s website. Please note the parking fee information on Rosemont’s web page is for concerts and not valid for Dominican’s private event. Allow extra time for walking to the Theatre. 

Undergraduate Ceremony Note: Cars parked in the Rosemont Theatre lot must be moved when the undergraduate ceremony is over to accommodate attendees for the Graduate ceremony later in the day. 

Yes, a limited number of bouquets and gift items will be available for purchase before the ceremonies.

Guests need to bring their tickets and enthusiasm for their amazing student.

Items NOT allowed include: large signs, balloons, tripods or other bulky photography equipment, noisemakers, laser pointers, pets (working service animals welcome), and bags larger than a backpack. When in doubt, please leave it at home or in your car. Items cannot be held at the door.

Have a question not answered here? Please send an email to DUGraduation@dom.edu.

Return to the Commencement home page