Student Information

• Academic regalia is required to walk the stage.
• You must purchase your regalia through our on-campus store “Reggie’s Corner,” located on the lower level of Burpee.
• The store hours are: M-F 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

• You can order your regalia online and have it shipped to your home or the campus store: https://spiritshop.rockford.edu/collections/regalia

• For regalia questions, please call: 815-226-4019 (store)

Bachelor’s degree candidates, you wear traditional academic regalia consisting of a black gown with straight, pointed sleeves and a mortarboard cap topped with a tassel. The gown’s simple silhouette reflects your undergraduate level of academic achievement. You typically wear your tassels on the right before degrees are conferred and move them to the left afterward, symbolizing your transition from student to graduate.

• Bachelors set (gown, mortar-board, and tassel) = $40

Master’s degree candidates, you wear a black gown distinguished by its oblong, extended sleeves, which are the hallmark of graduate-level academic dress. In addition to the gown and mortarboard, you also wear an academic hood. The hood features the University’s colors on the lining, and a velvet trim whose color represents your specific field of study. This combination of colors and materials signifies advanced scholarship and the completion of graduate-level work.

• Master’s Set (gown, hood, mortar-board, and tassel = $75

Please note: The gown and mortar for a Bachelor’s Degree differ from those worn for a Master’s Degree. 

Tassel Colors
Bachelor of Arts – White
Bachelor of Fine Arts – Brown
Bachelor of Science – Gold
Bachelor of Science in Management Studies – Gold
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Apricot

Hood/Tassel Colors
Masters of Arts in Teaching – Blue
Master of Business Administration – Ecru     
Master of Education – Blue
Master of Arts in Sports Management and Leadership – Sage Green
Master of Science in Exercise Physiology – Golden Yellow
Master of Science in Data Science – Golden Yellow

To be eligible to participate in the 2026 Commencement ceremony, you must meet one of the following requirements:

• All degree requirements completed Fall 2025
• All degree requirements completed Spring 2026
• All degree requirements completed Summer 2026

Students planning to graduate at the end of the Summer 2026 term may petition to participate in the May 2026 Commencement ceremony. In order to be considered, students must:

• Submit an application for graduation;
• Be registered for summer classes;
• Be certified to complete degree requirements by the end of the Summer 2026 term.

Students who meet these requirements may request permission to participate in the May ceremony by sending an email to the registrar at registrar@rockford.edu. Please do not petition before you have submitted your application to graduate and registered for your summer classes or your petition will not be considered. You should note that participation in the ceremony does not constitute actual graduation. You must complete all of your Rockford University requirements in order to receive a diploma and be entitled to a transcript that indicates graduation.

In order to graduate, you must complete a graduation application using the links below.
IF YOU HAVE ALREADY APPLIED TO GRADUATE, YOU DO NOT NEED TO APPLY AGAIN!

• Graduation Application – BACHELORS (Jotform)
• Graduation Application – MASTERS (Jotform)
• For all Jotforms to be processed, students MUST create an account using their Rockford University email address. (@rockford.edu)

Please contact the registrar with any questions >> registrar@rockford.edu

A graduation fee is required, which will be added to your account. Please contact Student Administrative Services (SAS) at 815.394.3700 or sas@rockford.edu with any questions regarding the application fee.

• Commencement Tickets
  • Once your graduation application has been processed, six tickets will be reserved in your name.
  • There is no waiting list for extra tickets.
  • Tickets are required for entry into the Coronado Performing Arts Center, all guest regardless of age are required to have a ticket to enter.
  • No tickets will be available at the door.
• Stay in the Loop
  • Please check your Rockford.edu email address and this page regularly leading up to commencement for important updates.
• Purchase your cap and gown
  • Academic Dress is required of all graduates participating in Commencement.
  • Regalia can be purchased through the on-campus store “Reggie’s Corner.”
  • Please ensure that your gown is removed from the packaging before commencement and properly steamed or ironed.
• Graduation Fair
  • RSVP encouraged: please email mostler@rockford.edu or graduation@rockford.edu if you plan to attend the graduation fair.
  • Tuesday, April 28, 2026,  4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Regents Hall, Burpee Center
  • What to expect:
    • Be celebrated by President Lynott as she toasts you and your achievements
    • Decorate your mortar boards
    • Pick up your graduation tickets
    • Pick up or purchase your regalia
    • Purchase Alumni gear
    • Visit with the following offices: Career Services, SAS, Admissions, Registrar, Advancement 
    • Ticket pick-up
      • If tickets are not picked up at the graduation toast, they will be available for pickup in the Scheduling and Events Office in Nelson Hall.
        • Wednesday, April 29, 10:00 a.m. – 6 p.m.
        • Thursday, April 30, 10:00 a.m. – 6 p.m.
        • Friday, May 1, 10:00 a.m. – 4 p.m.
        • Monday, May 4, 10:00 a.m. – 5 p.m.
        • Tuesday, May 5, 10:00 a.m. – 5 p.m.
        • Wednesday, May 6, 8:30 a.m. – NOON
          • If necessary, tickets may be sent via email. Please contact graduation@rockford.edu for assistance.
          • If you don’t need all six of your allotted tickets, please make them available to others who need extra.
• Name Pronunciation
  • Contact Sarah at sspires@rockford.edu if you think we will have difficulty pronouncing your name.
• Special Accommodations
  • The event location is accessible for those who need special accommodation. Degree candidates who have special needs for themselves or their guests should notify Tara at graduation@rockford.edu
• Becoming an Alumni of Rockford University
  • Please complete the Graduate Information Form – edu/academics/commencement/student/alumni-graduate-form/.
  • Once you graduate, you will officially become a member of the Rockford University Alumni Association.
  • Don’t miss out on the great events planned by the Alumni Office!

• Arrive Early – We advise that you plan ahead and grant yourselves enough time to arrive at the Coronado.
  • You and your guest will need to go through a security checkpoint.
  • Main doors open at 9:00 a.m. (guests)
  • Arrive between 9-9:30 a.m. (grads)
  • ALL GRADUATES enter through the back entrance off Park Avenue
  • Bachelor’s Degree candidates will line up on the second floor in the Rehearsal Room
  • Master’s Degree candidates will line up on the third floor
  • Degree candidates will need to be lined up alphabetically by 9:45 a.m.
  • Family and guests will need to be seated by 9:45 a.m.
• Parking is free and available in the Coronado parking garage on Main Street. Parking information is found atcoronadopac.org/plan/parkingdirections/
• Wear appropriate academic attire. Each student must wear a cap and gown to participate in the ceremony. Master’s degree candidates will also wear hoods.
• Don’t bring personal items. Personal items are not allowed on stage. Please do not bring purses or other personal items. Students are asked not to carry anything in the ceremony. There is no place to check in or store purses, coats, or other personal items. Personal items are not allowed on stage.
• Check in at the backstage entrance of the Coronado Performing Arts Center (off of Park Avenue). All degree candidates are asked to report to the back door entrance (off of Park Avenue) of the Coronado Performing Arts Center NO LATER than 9:30 a.m. to officially check in and line up for the Commencement procession.
• Follow the order of the processional. Led by the Head Faculty Marshal and the Junior Marshals, degree candidates will process through the corridors and theatre lobby. Faculty will follow the graduates in the procession. The Platform Party, led by its marshal, will complete the procession. When you find your seat, we ask that you please remain standing until instructed otherwise.
• Enjoy the ceremony.The ceremony lasts approximately 2 hours. Each student will have their name called, will walk across the stage, receive their diploma cover, and a greeting from Dr. Patricia Lynott, President of Rockford University. Students will also have their professional photo taken as they exit the stage.
• Move your tassel. At the beginning of the ceremony, tassels are worn on the right. Upon direction from the podium, the tassel is moved to the left.
• Do not leave the ceremony prior to its conclusion. As a courtesy to other graduates and their guests, we ask that you remain in your seats until the end of the ceremony.
• Immediately following the ceremony, graduates will be escorted outside, where the Platform Party will form a receiving line to greet them. Please DO NOT BLOCK the way for graduates to find their families.

• Expect your diploma in the mail. Degree candidates will not receive their diploma during the Commencement ceremony. Only the diploma cover will be given. All diplomas will be mailed during the summer months. Please make sure that SAS has correct and updated information (both mailing address and telephone number) for contacting you after graduation. If there is a question about the status of your account, please contact SAS at 815.394.3700 or email SAS@Rockford.edu. It is your responsibility to ensure that your university account is up-to-date prior to Commencement. Diplomas will be mailed during the summer months. 
• Order your graduation photos. High Impact Creations LLC, professional photographers will take your photo as you approach the stage and receive your diploma. Photos will be uploaded at Highimpactcreations.com/rockforduniversitycommencement and available to you following commencement. You will be able to download your individual headshots by entering your student ID number when prompted to “Enter a Keyword.” When that happens, any photos that are tagged with your student ID number will be displayed and made available to you to download. There is no charge to have your picture taken. 

High Impact Creations LLC, professional photographers will take your photo as you approach the stage and receive your diploma. Photos will be uploaded at Highimpactcreations.com/rockforduniversitycommencement.

They will be made available to you following commencement. You will be able to download your individual headshots by entering your student ID number when prompted to “Enter a Keyword.” When that happens, any photos that are tagged with your student ID number will be displayed and made available to you to download. There is no charge to have your picture taken.