Winter 2025
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.
Location, Dates, and Times
Winter Commencement takes place in Pepsi Arena, located at the intersection of 20th Street and Oak Street.
| Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, December 12, 2025 | 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Hawk Shop QU Bookstore Hours |
| 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 | |
| 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, December 13, 2025 | 9:00 a.m. | Doors to Pepsi Arena Open |
| 9:15 a.m. | Degree Candidates, Faculty, and Cabinet line-up for Commencement Procession at 3-Court Area (Health and Fitness Center). Full academic attire must be worn. | |
| 10:00 a.m. | Commencement | |
| 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Hawk Shop QU Bookstore Hours |
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 guests to enter Pepsi Arena, and the facility is accessible. Accessible parking and entry assistance are available—follow the signs and parking attendants at the intersection of 20th and Oak Streets. The accessible entrance is located on the east side of the Health and Fitness Center (HFC). 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 noon on Monday, December 8, 2025 in the Registrar’s Office during business hours. Pick up times are:
- December 8 from 12:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- December 9 – 11 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- December 12 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.
- Degree candidates must have completed all graduation requirements in the fall semester to participate in Winter Commencement.
- Undergraduate degree candidates must have all Service Learning hours completed by Friday, December 5, 2025. For questions contact Sara Phillips, Coordinator of Experiential Learning, at phillsa@quincy.edu.
- Degree candidates must apply for graduation by October 1, 2025.
- Degree candidates who apply after the October 1 deadline will be charged a late fee of $100.
- All tuition, room, board, fees, interest, library fines, and parking tickets must be paid in full by November 14, 2025.
- Exit Loan Counseling for degree candidates with student loans must be completed by November 14, 2025.
- Diplomas will be mailed during the spring semester 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.