Spring 2026
Welcome to your Commencement hub—your one-stop place for everything related to graduation at Quincy University. Here you’ll find key dates and deadlines, ceremony details, regalia information, guest and accessibility guidance, and helpful links to make your Commencement experience smooth and memorable.
In the event of severe weather, the ceremony will be moved to Pepsi Arena in the Health and Fitness Center, and degree candidates will receive an email and text alerting them of the location change. Degree candidates are responsible for informing their guests and providing them with severe weather tickets to enter Pepsi Arena.
Location, Dates, and Times
Spring Commencement takes place at the Quincy University Stadium, located at 1800 Sycamore Street, Quincy, IL 62301.
| Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, May 15, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Hawk Shop QU Bookstore Hours |
| 11:00 a.m. | Champagne Brunch hosted by Alumni Services (Main Dining Room) | |
| 2:00 p.m. | Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences Pinning at The Crossing 150 S. 48th Street (48th and Maine Sts.), Quincy, IL | |
| 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Festival on Friars' Field | |
| 5:00 p.m. | Baccalaureate Mass in St. Francis Solanus Chapel -Degree candidates are to wear their gowns (no caps, stoles or hoods) and sit with family. -All are welcome. | |
| Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. | Doors to Quincy University Stadium open for guests. |
| 9:15 a.m. | Degree Candidates, Faculty, and Cabinet line-up for Commencement Procession at the QU Baseball Field. Full academic attire must be worn. | |
| 10:00 a.m. | Commencement | |
| 9:00 a.m. – After ceremony | QU Hawk Bookstore pop-up shop at the stadium (Bookstore closed) |
Event Streaming
Live streaming of the ceremony will be available on the QU YouTube Channel. Reception immediately follows the ceremony.
Tickets and Handicap Access
No tickets are required for the stadium. Handicap Parking and Handicap Drop-Off are held on 20th and Sycamore street. Please enter through the northwest gate on 20th street. If the commencement ceremony is held in Pepsi Arena, Handicap Parking and Handicap Drop-Off will be held in Lot A. If you have a guest who uses a wheelchair or needs accommodations, please contact Macee Borrowman at 217-228-3300 or m.borrowman76@quincy.edu.
Commencement Attire
Caps and Gowns
Academic apparel order information is submitted through the Graduation Application. All caps and gowns will be available for pick up beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, May 11, 2026 in the Registrar’s Office during business hours. Pick up times are:
- May 11 – 14 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- May 15 from 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m
Honor Cords and Stoles
Honor cords are worn by those who graduate with University honors, as noted below:
- Cum Laude | 3.60 to 3.74 GPA | GPA Silver Cord
- Magna Cum Laude | 3.75 to 3.89 GPA | GPA Gold Cord
- Summa Cum Laude | 3.90 to 4.00 GPA |Bonaventure Medal
Cords are also worn by members of academic honor societies, the Honors Program and other approved organizations. All undergraduates wear stoles that have the QU seal. Those who have completed degrees through Blessing-Reiman College of Nursing and Health Sciences (BRCN) will wear a stole with both the QU and BRCN seals. Undergraduates affiliated with a Greek organization that meets academic standards for membership may wear a stole representing a fraternity or sorority. The stoles listed above are University-approved and are the only stoles permitted to be worn at Commencement.
Hotel Information
Some area hotels extend a special rate for families attending Commencement Weekend. Please make sure to mention QU Commencement when reserving rooms. For a full listing of area accommodation, visit the Quincy Area Convention and Visitors Bureau website at www.seequincy.com.
Commencement Participation Requirements
- Participation in the Commencement ceremony is dependent upon clearance by the University Registrar following a review of the degree candidate’s academic record.
- Undergraduate degree candidates must have all Service Learning hours completed by Friday, May 8, 2026. For questions contact Sara Phillips, Coordinator of Experiential Learning, at phillsa@quincy.edu.
- Degree candidates must apply for graduation by September 15th for Fall and February 15 for Spring.
- Degree candidates who apply after the deadline will not be able to participate.
- All tuition, room, housing, meals, fees, interest, library fines, and parking tickets must be paid in full by Friday, April 24th, 2026.
- Exit Loan Counseling for degree candidates with student loans must be completed by Friday, April 24th, 2026.
- Diplomas will be mailed during the summer to each eligible graduate at the address provided on the graduation application. Diplomas are not distributed on stage.
- Commencement is a formal ceremony. For the safety and dignity of the event, any degree candidate who appears to be impaired by drugs or alcohol may be denied participation and asked to leave the premises.
Graduation News Release
The Office of Community Relations (Francis Hall, Room B-37) will release a list of graduates to each student’s hometown newspaper. If you wish to opt-out of this news release or have your graduation announcement published to another hometown/community newspaper, please contact the Office of Community Relations at communityrelations@quincy.edu.