Attention faculty and administrators! We look forward to seeing you at the commencement ceremony and sharing this special occasion with you. The following information is designed to answer questions you might have about the ceremony:
Please complete the Faculty & Administrator RSVP form: https://harpercollege.formstack.com/forms/facultyrsvp2026
Marc Klemencic, 2025 Distinguished Alum
Please learn more about Marc here: https://www.harpercollege.edu/graduation/speaker/index.php
Please arrive at 1:30 p.m. and enter through Door 11 at the NOW Arena. Procession will begin promptly at 2:30 p.m. Parking is available in the lots that are accessible off Prairie Stone Pkwy, Hoffman Blvd, and Pratum Ave (see detailed map). Parking is available in lot A-F and once inside, Prairie Stone signage and parking attendants will direct you to the closest lot.
For the 2026 ceremony, Harper is providing the opportunity to full-time faculty members and administrators who may not currently own regalia to have it purchased by the College for their use. Interested faculty and administrators should visit the GraduationSource ordering website, https://graduationportal.com/harper_college_faculty_portal/shop/home, prior to March 17, 2026 to review options and to request an order be placed on their behalf. Information regarding regalia order distribution will be provided to faculty and administrators after the ordering process has closed. Faculty and Administrators will be responsible for custody and care of their regalia once distributed.
For questions regarding the ordering process, please contact Mike Vanlandingham at mvanland@harpercollege.edu.
Faculty, staff, and administrators who may already own their own regalia and are planning to participate in the ceremony should complete an RSVP through the link near the top of this page.
You will line-up in the production concourse under the main audience seating area. Faculty and administrators will begin the Processional, followed by the platform party which includes the President, Board of Trustees, guest speaker, the Executive Cabinet, and the President of the Faculty Senate. Volunteers will assist with the faculty line-up process. Students will be seated prior to the processional and start of the ceremony.
Contact graduationceremony@harpercollege.edu.
Prior to entering the building, graduates and faculty will pass through metal detectors. We ask that you keep gowns unzipped during this security screening.
Screening will also be enhanced at the Main Entrance for guests. We recommend that guests leave any unnecessary bags at home. This additional security should not substantially effect or delay accessing the Arena.