Commencement 2023 (In-Person & Live Stream)

December 2022 and May 2023 Graduates:

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

• Thursday, April 27 – 3pm-6pm – Jennie Huizenga Library entrance
• Monday, May 1 – 3pm-6pm – Jennie Huizenga Library entrance
• Tuesday, May 2 – 3pm-6pm – Jennie Huizenga Library entrance
• *for those traveling out of state/final opportunity: Friday, May 5 – 9am-10am – Grand Lobby

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 can provide documentation (a text or an email) 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, 2023, 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).

If your GPA is 3.500 or higher and have earned a minimum of 60 credits from Trinity as of Fall 2022, you will receive an Honors cord for the Ceremony.

Please note that grades from the current Spring semester are not included in the GPA used to determine those graduating with Honors.

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 to make arrangements for in-person pick up.

The Main Gate will open at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 5. 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 5, our rain plan is to hold the ceremony at Ozinga Field at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 6. For more details, visit  https://www.trnty.edu/event/graduation-raindate/

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. Discount codes for the two free downloads will be released at a later date.

Trinity invites family and friends of graduates to purchase an alumni brick engraved with their graduate’s name. Bricks are placed in the courtyard outside the Ozinga Chapel and orders placed prior to February 20 are typically installed before the May commencement. For more information or to purchase a brick online, visit https://giving.trnty.edu/brick 

All graduating, residential students must complete an official checkout with a Residence Life staff member by 12 pm on Saturday, May 6.  Check-outs involve demonstrating all personal belongings have been removed, the space is cleaned, and room key is returned.  Students have the option to select from a list of available options the precise day and time they wish to check-out.  More information will be released by Residence Life regarding check-out procedures.

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 notify us if your guests will require accommodations by emailing us at events@trnty.edu. 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.