Commencement

2023-24 SPRING COMMENCEMENT

The 2023-24 Spring Commencement ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, May 11, at 10:00 a.m. in the QU Football Stadium – rain or shine.

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.

FRIDAY, MAY 10

8:00 am – 4:30 pm University Bookstore Hours

11:00 a.m. Champagne Brunch – Main Dining Room, Student Center

Hosted by Alumni Services. All degree candidates are welcome at no cost. Guests are welcome at $10.00 per person. For more information, contact Alumni Services at 217-228-5432, ext. 3450.

2:00 p.m. Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences Pinning

The Crossing, 150 S. 48th (48th & Maine Sts.), Quincy, IL.
For more information: https://www.brcn.edu/parents-current-students/commencement-information

5:00 p.m. Baccalaureate Mass – St. Francis Solanus Chapel, Francis Hall

Degree candidates are to wear gowns (no caps, stoles or hoods) and sit with family. Tickets are not required. All are welcome!

SATURDAY, MAY 11

9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. University Bookstore Hours
Merchandise will also be available at QU Stadium for purchase.

9:00 a.m. Degree Candidates line up for Commencement Procession

QU Stadium – Baseball entrance (18th & Sycamore Sts.)
Full academic attire must be worn.
Assistant Marshals, Dr. Scott Luaders and Dr. David Kirchhofer, will assist you with line-up and guide you during the ceremony.
(Severe Weather Location: Three-Court Area, HFC – enter through the west doors.)

10:00 a.m. Commencement– Gates open at 9:00 a.m. for guests

QU Stadium, Football entrance (20th & Sycamore Sts.)
(Severe weather location: Pepsi Arena, HFC – TICKETS REQUIRED)
(Severe weather entrance/parking for those with disabilities: 20th & Oak Sts.)

The ceremony will be live-streamed on the Quincy University Youtube Channel: www.quincy.edu/youtube

COMMENCEMENT PARTICIPATION AND STUDENT FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS

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 be within 2 courses of completing their undergraduate baccalaureate degree to participate in the Commencement ceremony.
Degree candidates must apply for graduation by March 1.
Degree candidates who apply after the March 1 deadline will be charged a late fee of $100.
All tuition, housing, food, fees, interest, library fines, and parking tickets should be paid in full by April 12.
Exit Loan Counseling for degree candidates with student loans are to be completed by April 12.
Diplomas will be mailed during the summer to each eligible graduate at the address provided on the graduation application. Diplomas will not be distributed on stage.
Commencement is a formal ceremony. Any degree candidate impaired by drugs or alcohol will not be permitted to participate and may be removed from the premises.

GRADUATION WITH HONORS

Graduation Honors are awarded to undergraduate students only.

Prior to Academic Year 2020-21, students who maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.40 based on all Quincy University courses completed for a baccalaureate degree are eligible for graduation with honors as follows:

Cum Laude 3.40 to 3.54 GPA — Silver Cord
Magna Cum Laude 3.55 to 3.74 GPA — Gold Cord
Summa Cum Laude 3.75 to 4.00 GPA — Bonaventure Medal

Beginning in Academic Year 2020-21, students who maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.60 based on all Quincy University courses completed for a baccalaureate degree are eligible for graduation with honors as follows:

Cum Laude 3.60 to 3.74 GPA — Silver Cord
Magna Cum Laude 3.75 to 3.89 GPA — Gold Cord
Summa Cum Laude 3.90 to 4.00 GPA — Bonaventure Medal

These honors distinctions will be noted on the student’s transcript and the diploma. All graduation requirements must be completed prior to Commencement for honors to be announced at Commencement.

Refer to the Academic Catalog, page 19, for more details.

HONOR CORDS AND STOLES

Honor cords are worn by those who graduate with University honors, as noted above. Cords are also worn by members of academic honor societies and/or the Honors Program.

All undergraduates wear stoles that have the QU seal. Those who have completed their nursing degree through Blessing-Reiman College of Nursing and Health Sciences 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 and cords noted here are approved by the University and are the only ones allowed to be worn at Commencement.

PRESIDENT’S HONORS COLLEGE

The Quincy University President’s Honors College promotes academic excellence through sustained critical thinking, original research, exceptional writing, and public presentation of scholarly work. Those students who have completed the President’s Honors College will be announced at Commencement. Completion of the program will be noted on the student’s transcript.

Refer to the Academic Catalog, pages 23-24, for more details.

SERVICE LEARNING HOURS

All degree candidates receiving an undergraduate degree must have all Service Learning hours completed by Friday, May 3. For questions contact Sara Phillips, Experiential Learning Specialist, at phillsa@quincy.edu.

CAPS AND GOWNS

Academic apparel order information is submitted through the Graduation Application.
All caps and gowns will be available to be picked up with severe weather tickets beginning at noon on Monday, May 6, in the Registrar’s Office (Francis Hall 130) during business hours. Pick-up times are:

Monday	May 6	12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Tuesday–Thursday	May 7-9	8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Friday	May 10	8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

ORDER QU GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENTS

Click here and select “Quincy University” from the list, then the graduation date (only one choice) and then your degree.

LIFETOUCH SPECIAL EVENTS PHOTOGRAPHY

Click here to order photos taken during the Commencement ceremony from Lifetouch Photography. For more information on Lifetouch, click here.

CLASS RINGS AND DIPLOMA FRAMES

Click here to order a class ring and/or diploma frame from the University Bookstore.

GRADUATION NEWS RELEASE

The Office of Community Relations (Francis Hall, Rm. B-37) will release a list of graduates to each graduate’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.

SEVERE WEATHER INFORMATION (severe weather tickets, location, etc.)

In the event of severe weather, the ceremony will be moved indoors to Pepsi Arena in the Health and Fitness Center. Degree candidates will receive an email and text alerting them of the location change.

Degree candidates are responsible for informing their guests.

Each degree candidate planning to participate in Commencement will receive eight (8) severe weather tickets for guests for entry to Pepsi Arena.
No tickets will be mailed. Participants may pick up severe weather tickets along with their caps and gowns in the Registrar’s Office (Francis Hall 130) beginning at noon on Monday, May 6, during business hours (see under “Caps and Gowns”).
Guests without a severe weather ticket will be able to watch the ceremony in the Hall of Fame Room in the Health & Fitness Center.
Reserved seating in Pepsi Arena is available for those with disabilities; please contact Mary Betts in the Academic Affairs Office at 217-228-5432, ext. 3300. Facilities for the Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement are handicap accessible.
Everyone, including infants and toddlers, must have a ticket to gain entry to the ceremony if held in Pepsi Arena.

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 accommodations, visit the Quincy Area Convention and Visitors Bureau website at www.seequincy.com . Click here for a listing of local establishments, including hotels, that provide QU discounts.

Questions regarding Commencement can be directed to:

Registrar’s Office, 217-228-5432, ext. 3970,

email registrar@quincy.edu

Academic Affairs Office, 217-228-5432, ext. 3300,

email commencement@quincy.edu