Commencement 2023

Date: June 10th at 10:00 a.m.
Location: Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W Brush Hill Road, Elmhurst, IL 60126
Keynote: Rev. Dr. Craig Melvin Smith, Senior Pastor of the Freedom Baptist Church of the Greater Chicago Area in Hillside, IL.

Livestream link: https://vimeo.com/event/3483160

No tickets are required. Seating capacity is 850 at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church so there is no limit to guests however, we do ask that graduates be considerate of others in the amount of people they choose to invite.

Are you a graduate and need more information? Click here for all your 2023 graduation information.

Day of Timeline:

8:30 a.m: Arrive to venue and check in. We will have a robing area for those who need to pick up and put on your regalia. A few things regarding dress:

• Men: Dress pants, button down shirt (with or without a tie), or a polo
• Women: Dress, skirt, or dress pants and shirt are fine. Consider shoes with a back, as there are stairs onto the stage

9:30 a.m: Lineup will begin. You will be alphabetical by program. Your hood will be given to you at this time.

10:00-11:30 a.m: Ceremony

11:30 a.m: Return all regalia (cap, gown, hood) to robing room in the bag provided when you picked it up. Once you return your regalia you will receive your physical diploma certificate.

There is nothing scheduled after the event so feel free to take photos and head out and celebrate!

For those of you in absentia, your diploma and tassel will be shipped next week.

Regalia (cap and gown) FAQ:

All regalia is rented and your graduation fee of $225 covers that cost in addition to diploma printing and other commencement expenses (you are charged a reduced fee of $45 if you are in absentia but for those in absentia regalia will not be ordered). In person attendees will return all but your tassel immediately following the ceremony on June 10th. For those in absentia, your tassel will be mailed with your diploma.

For those of you wishing to purchase your own regalia for future use, please contact Mo Olson at HERFF JONES, Molson@herffjones.com

You provided your height/weight on your graduation application. This is what we use to order your regalia, you do not need to be fitted.

Caps and gowns must be picked up at the Lisle campus the week of June 5 within the following hours: 

• Monday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 
• Tuesday-Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. 
• Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Thursday-Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

If you are unable to pick up within the hours above, we will have it for you day of at the church. Please let Alicia know if you plan to pick up day of so we can plan accordingly. 

Please note all communications regarding commencement are sent to your student.seminary.edu email account as that is the official mode of communication for the seminary.

Questions? Contact Alicia Peconio, Director of Academic Operations/Chief Compliance Officer via email (apeconio@seminary.edu) or via phone 630-620-2113.