Information for Graduates
Cap and Gowns
If you have not yet picked up your cap and gown, come to Student Development (Hogan 109) on weekdays from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Please be sure you have completed your First Destination and Senior Surveys. We highly recommend graduates get their caps and gowns by Thursday, May 23 but for those unable to do so, gowns can be picked up on the morning of Commencement at the DCU Center.
Graduates are able to keep their caps, gown, hoods, tassels, and zipper pulls. For those who do not want to keep their gowns, collection bins will be available in the reception area of the DCU Convention Center and on Hogan 1 following Commencement. Gowns that are returned will be recycled into other products.
The College is proud to share that in the effort to remain green on campus; all Holy Cross graduates will be wearing environmentally conscious GreenWeaver® regalia, made here in the USA. This line of graduation wear is made of fabric spun from molten plastic pellets produced from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. For every gown ordered, Oak Hall will contribute $0.25 to the College’s sustainability efforts. Learn more.
Awards Ceremony
This event is to distribute academic awards and Presidential Service awards. Award winners have been notified. Family members and guests of any graduate are welcome to join. If you are an award recipient, please arrive in the library by 12:15 p.m. You will be seated in the reserved section in the first several rows.
Baccalaureate Mass
Seniors should arrive at the area between the football and baseball stadiums by 2:15 p.m. for line-up. Seniors will process into the stadium at 2:45 p.m. Commencement gowns (but not hoods or caps) should be worn.
Graduate Transportation and Arrival to the DCU Center
Graduates meet in the Hogan Ballroom at 8:15 a.m. to be shuttled to the DCU Center. Please ensure that you are wearing your gown, zipper pull, and hood and have your cap with a tassel. Students will not be permitted to cross the stage if they are not in their academic regalia. Graduates can choose to arrive on their own but must arrive to the DCU by 8:45 a.m. Upon arrival, graduates enter through the revolving doors of the Convention Center located on Major Taylor Boulevard. It is very important to arrive on time.
When arriving please be prepared for metal detector screening. All students, faculty, staff, and guests will be screened by DCU Center security. Graduates will be asked to have their gowns unzipped. To expedite this process we strongly encourage students to only bring their cellphones and keys if needed. The DCU Center has a no bag policy in which only small purses/wristlets (MAX SIZE 8x10) are allowed.
Other prohibited items include: umbrellas, signs, outside food and beverages, and helium balloons. See the DCU Center policy for a full listing of prohibited items.
Breakfast will be provided to graduates once you arrive.
Campus Move-Out
Graduates are expected to move-out of the residence halls by 8 p.m. on Friday, May 24. Contact reslife@holycross.edu or 508-793-2411 with any questions.
Class Photo
Prints and framed copies of the Class of 2024 photo taken at the start of sophomore year can be purchased at panfoto.com.
Class Rings
The College works with Herff Jones for the ordering of class rings. Class rings can be ordered online. Periodically, Herff Jones is on campus outside of the bookstore in the Hogan Campus Center. For more information please contact the bookstor@holycross.edu.
Announcements
Each graduating senior has the option of ordering a set of 10 physical Commencement announcements. These are formal announcement cards meant to be sent to family and friends to whom you wish to send the news of your upcoming graduation. These are not invitations, but announcements of your graduation. There is no cost to receive these. Please note, seniors must opt-in to receive the physical announcement cards. To select to receive yours, please complete this form by March 5. They will be distributed in late March.
Senior Week Events
The Student Government Association Senior Class Council hosts events and programs for Senior Week from Sunday, May 19, 2024 through Wednesday, May 22, 2024. More information will be shared in the coming months and ticket sales will be open later this spring. Please contact the Office of Student Involvement at osi@holycross.edu with questions.
Yearbook and Senior Photos
Lauren Studios has contacted the class with information on how to schedule their Senior Portraits for the yearbook. In April, students can expect information regarding the sale of 2024 Purple Patcher Yearbook and senior advertisements from family. In the meantime, seniors are encouraged to send images from their year to patcher@g.holycross.edu for inclusion in the book.
The Purple Patcher Yearbook Club works in collaboration with The Office of Student Involvement to coordinate senior photos for the yearbook and yearbook sales. Please contact patcher@g.holycross.edu with questions.