Event Category: Events

August 2024, December 2024, and May 2025 Graduates:

Your cap and gown will be available for pick-up on:

• Monday, April 28 – 3pm-6pm – Jennie Huizenga Library entrance
• Wednesday, April 30 – 3pm-6pm – Jennie Huizenga Library entrance
• Thursday, May 1 – 3pm-6pm – Jennie Huizenga Library entrance
• *for those traveling from out of state/final opportunity: Friday, May 2 – 10am-11am – Ozinga Grand Lobby

Please make sure your student account is paid in full prior to coming to pick up your cap and gown.

If you have questions about your Financial Balance HOLD, please contact Cheryl Katalinic, Student Accounts Manager (ckatalinic@trnty.edu).

If you are unable to be on campus during these times, please arrange for a friend or family member to pick up the cap and gown for you. We will distribute your cap and gown to that individual only if he/she shows an accepted identification card, can provide documentation (via an email from their Trinity email account) that shows you have given him/her your permission to do so AND after you have completed the Handshake survey (see below).

We recommend hanging up your gown at least several days in advance of the ceremony and possibly using a steamer to release wrinkles.

Prior to receiving your cap and gown, you are required to complete the First Destination Survey to fulfill Trinity’s obligations on career outcome reporting. It is preferred that you fill out the survey starting April 1, 2025 to help expedite the pick-up process. However, computers will be available on site.  This survey must be completed by all graduates, irrespective of whether you participate in the graduation ceremony or not and regardless of the type of degree earned.

To access the survey, please go to www.trnty.edu/handshake. Access your account using your Trinity email and password (you should not have to ,create a new account), open the dropdown menu labeled “Career Center.” There, click on “First Destinations” and complete the survey.  *Note that if you are logging in for the first time, the initial information that is asked of you is not the required survey – skip this section and proceed to the “First Destinations” survey.  (You will also receive a series of emails leading up to graduation with a link to the survey as well.) Your thorough answers are appreciated, and all specific personal information remains confidential inside the College.

If you have additional questions, please contact The Cooper Center for Vocation & Career Development (vocationandcareer@trnty.edu).

You are welcome to decorate your mortarboard (cap), but no decorations or custom sashes/stoles may be added to your gown.

If your GPA is 3.500 or higher and have earned or are expected to earn a minimum of 60 credits from Trinity by the end of Spring 2025, you will receive an Honors cord for the Ceremony.

Honors cords will be handed out at check-in on the day of Commencement.

Please note that grades from the current Spring semester are not included in the GPA used to determine those who are eligible for an Honors cord at Commencement. If you have questions about your Honors status, please email registrar@trnty.edu.

MA students must have all their requirements fulfilled prior to participating in commencement, so anyone whose MA degree was conferred SU-24, FA-24, or will be conferred in SP-25 is welcome to participate in the SP-25 commencement. MA Students whose degrees will be conferred in SU-25 will be eligible to participate in the SP-26 Commencement.

Undergraduate degree candidates should wear tassels on the right side of their cap for the academic procession. When their degree is conferred during Commencement, tassels are moved to the left side of their cap. Because graduate and professional degree candidates already have received a bachelor’s degree, they should wear tassels on the left side of their cap throughout commencement ceremonies. Faculty members and administrators should also wear tassels on the left side of their cap throughout commencement ceremonies.

Diplomas are sent out by mail 6-8 weeks after the Graduation Date.

If your mailing address is outside the USA, please contact the Registrar’s office at registrar@trnty.edu to make arrangements for in-person pick up.

The Main Gate will open at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 2. Guests may arrive anytime between 6 p.m. – 7 p.m., but we recommend arriving at least 10 minutes before the ceremony so you can find seats before the ceremony begins. The park will be open seating, first come first served. If you have accessibility needs, we advise you arrive early so we can accommodate you well.

Graduating students should arrive by 6 p.m. for the 7 p.m. ceremony. You will check in and then proceed to the lineup area to receive further instructions.

You can check to see if you are registered to participate in the ceremony here.

If inclement weather prevents us from gathering on Friday, May 2, our rain plan is to hold the ceremony at Ozinga Field at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 3. For more details, visit  https://www.trnty.edu/event/graduation-raindate/

If necessary, the commencement rain plan will be shared by noon CDT on Friday, May 2. All participating students will receive an email with more information, and we will also post an update on social media.

Professional photos will be taken of each graduate during the ceremony as they receive their diplomas, and in front of a Trinity backdrop after they leave the stage. Trinity has purchased digital rights to two (2) images for our graduates to download and print at your discretion. Families and friends are permitted to take photos during the ceremony from their seats. Professional photos can be accessed at www.killoranphotography.smugmug.com, click Trinity Christian College. If you have questions, contact Tom Killoran Photography directly at 708-361-0025.

The discount code for 2 free digital downloads is: trinity25

Drones and aerial videography/photography are NOT allowed in the stadium before, during, or after the ceremony.

All graduating, residential students must complete an official checkout with a Residence Life staff member by 12 pm on Saturday, May 3.  Checkouts involve demonstrating all personal belongings have been removed, the space is cleaned, and room key is returned to the RA.  Students have the option to select from a list of available options the precise day and time they wish to checkout.  More information will be released by Residence Life regarding checkout procedures at the April 7th mandatory meeting.

Graduates should be sure to arrive at the Southeast parking lot at Ozinga Field by 6 p.m. to receive instructions regarding their participation in the ceremony. Several staff members will be present to assist graduates and respond to last-minute concerns.

You will also receive important communication about additional instructions to your Trinity email if you are a current student, or your personal email if you already graduated.

Since there will not be a locked room available for you to leave your things, we recommend leaving valuables at home, or in the care of one of your attending guests. If necessary, leave your belongings in a locked vehicle.

Yes, ample free parking is available surrounding Ozinga Field.   Shuttle service by golf-cart will be available for handicapped guests to the main gate. Participating students should plan to park at the south end of the west parking lot.

The ceremony will be handicap accessible, but please arrive early if your guests require handicap accessibility accommodations. For wheelchair access, we encourage you to park near the wheelchair ramp on the North side of the stadium. If you have accessibility needs, we advise you arrive as close to 1 hour before your ceremony as possible. Ushers will be there to direct you to the handicap accessible seating area.

Guests using wheelchairs may have 1 guest seated next to them. The rest of the party may sit elsewhere in the stadium.

Please visit our Local Hotels page to book with partnering local hotels.

A list of additional local hotels is available at the Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau Accommodation website.

For information on hotels and room availability, contact the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association at 312.346.3135.

A list of restaurants is available at the Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau Dining website.

For information on dining and restaurants in the area, contact the Illinois Restaurant Association at 312.787.4000.