December 2012 Degree Recipients
May and August 2013 Degree Candidates

Congratulations to you as you complete (or have completed) the final requirements that will make you a member of the 2013 graduating class of Benedictine University. Here is a brief list of dates you will want to remember. Please visit our www.ben.edu/commencement for more detailed information, ordering your class ring, personal announcements, pictures and video of the ceremony, etc.

Please mark your calendar for the following dates:

Monday, April 22-Tuesday, April 23:GRADUATION FAIR 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Krasa Student Center Fireside Lounge

•  PICK UP YOUR CAP AND GOWN*
•  Pick up inclement weather tickets for graduates attending Commencement,  if applicable.
•  Obtain commencement information
•  Have your cap and gown picture taken by a Grad Images photographer
•  Receive information about alumni benefits and Career Development services 
•  Purchase a class ring and/or diploma frame
•  Order personalized announcements
•  Discuss your financial obligations
•  Enjoy a raffle and refreshments

* These are the ONLY dates available to pick up your cap and gown prior to Commencement.

Remember all financial obligations, including graduation fees and library obligations, must be settled prior to pick-up of cap and gown. Benedictine accepts cash, personal checks, money orders, Visa, MasterCard and Discover. Payments made by personal check, business check or online by ACH will be subject to a 14 day hold to allow for clearance of funds.

 If you cannot attend the ceremony and want your cap and gown, you must pick it up at the Graduation Fair.

Friday, May 3:                        HOODING and HONORS CONVOCATION

It will be held in the Rice Center at 7:00 p.m. Due to the intimate nature of the convocation along with space constraints, attendance at the ceremony is limited to five (5) guests per participant.

Saturday, May 11:         CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR GRADUATION

Commencement Mass	7:45 a.m.	St. Procopius Abbey
Students Report for Line Up	8:30 a.m.	Kindlon Hall
Commencement   Convocation	9:45 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.	Sports Complex (outdoors)
Reception	11:30 – 12:30 p.m.	University Quad

The ceremony is expected to last about one hour, 45 minutes to 2 hours. If inclement weather is predicted for the day of Commencement the ceremony will be moved to the Rice Center. Due to limited seating capacity in the Rice Center, each graduate attending Commencement will receive inclement weather tickets for guests to attend the indoor ceremony. Information on any change of venue will be posted on the Commencement website prior to the event. Guests in need of handicap seating should be aware that it is a long walk from the drop off area to the seating area. The ceremony can be viewed on closed circuit TV in the Krasa Center 2^nd floor.

Attention graduates:  DO NOT USE CELL PHONES DURING THE CEREMONY 

HOODING and HONORS CONVOCATION

(for bachelor's students only)

Friday, May 3, 2013                                      7:00 p.m.          Rice Center

The Hooding and Honors Convocation has a unique identity and function: its purpose is to bring together students, faculty and staff for the last time as a University community. It is held at the Rice Center at 7:00 p.m. Due to the intimate nature of this convocation along with the space constraints, attendance at the ceremony is limited to five (5) guests per participant.

A special feature of the Convocation is the "hooding ceremony" during which the faculty/staff invest the graduates with the bachelor's hood. Each student chooses the faculty/staff member who has played an important role in his/her experience at Benedictine. Graduating seniors are called forward in an arranged sequence for hooding.

You are asked to report to the Rice Center by 6:45 p.m. dressed in full academic attire (cap and gown, with gowns zipped up the front) carrying the hood over your left arm.

To participate in the Hooding Ceremony, you must complete the response card, which is on the Commencement website under "Graduation Steps".  Responses are due no later than April 15th.  Your response should also indicate which faculty/staff member you have chosen to confer the hood upon you. Please contact the faculty/staff member personally. Without this information, you will not be included in the hooding ceremony program.

If you have any questions regarding the Hooding and Honors Convocation, please contact Donna Madia at (630) 829-1143 or via e-mail at dmadia@ben.edu.