Graduates and Visitors FAQs

Commencement will be held on Friday, May 16, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. at the NOW Arena located at 5333 Prairie Stone Pkwy, Hoffman Estates, IL 60192.  

All fall 2024 graduates and any student who has applied to graduate for the spring or summer 2025 semester. 

The guest speaker for the Commencement ceremony is Dr. Ruth Morales, 2018 Harper College Graduate and Alumna. Read her bio.  

All graduates attending the ceremony must order a cap and gown. The cap and gown, which you keep, is $45 plus tax. Order online through the Herff Jones Harper Store by March 20th and have it delivered to campus for pickup, or order by April 18th to have it shipped to your home. After April 18th caps and gowns may be purchased through the HarperStore (L260).  

You will be able to pick up your cap and gown at the HarperStore starting May 1. Along with your cap and gown, tickets and name cards will be distributed. You will be required to bring your name card to the ceremony. If you have questions regarding your cap and gown, contact HarperStore at 847.925.6275. You should arrive at the ceremony dressed in your gown. Tassels should be worn on the right side of the mortarboard and then moved to the left once degrees and certificates are conferred. 

An Application for Degree or Certificate must be submitted by April 1, 2024 to have your name included in the Graduation Program. 

There will not be a graduation rehearsal. Students will be seated ahead of the ceremony start and should arrive at 1:30 p.m. in order to be seated for the ceremony. Only graduates will be allowed in the seating and ceremony areas.      

Graduation is confirmed once all credit is awarded, grades are finalized, and degree/certificate requirements are met. The ceremony is a celebration. Students will receive an email sent to their Harper email when their graduation application has been reviewed for their graduation status.  

Please arrive at 1:30 p.m. Graduates will enter through Door 11. The ceremony 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 lots A-F and once inside, signage and parking attendants will direct you to the closest lot. 

Students must enter the building of the NOW Arena through Door 11. An additional ADA Entrance is available at Door 10. Family and friends can enter through the main entrance (Door 1) and must go to the seating area upon arrival. Graduates will be seated according to degree or certificate, signs will be placed throughout the line-up area, and volunteers will be there to assist. 

We will begin seating guests at 1:30 p.m. Guests should park in lot A, B, D, E, and F. Additional ADA parking is available in the front of Lot C. 

Each graduate will receive 10 tickets when they pick up their cap and gown. Students are allowed to offer any extra tickets to other students who may need more than 10 tickets. Additional tickets are also available at the Harper Box Office located in the Performing Arts Center, building R, Lobby, and at the Registration and Records counter in Building A, Room A213

Please arrive at the ceremony in your cap and gown, and bring your name card. Please make sure your name is correct, as this is used to assist with the lineup and will be used to announce your name at the ceremony. You will hand the name card to a designated staff member as you cross the stage. If you believe your name card is incorrect, contact graduationceremony@harpercollege.edu. 

Please leave any valuables with family or guests. There will be no designated area where you may leave your valuables. If you choose to carry your cell phone or camera with you, please be advised that Harper College and the NOW Arena are not responsible for the loss or damage to these or any other valuables. Please be advised that there is limited wi-fi at the NOW Arena. 

As a courtesy to your fellow graduates, please have your cell phone or any other electronic devices set to vibrate. 

Harper College has made arrangements with Graduation Foto to photograph you at the ceremony. Following the ceremony, Graduation Foto will contact you regarding graduation pictures. If you do not hear from them within a few weeks after the ceremony, you may contact them at 800.482.0321. There is no obligation to purchase pictures. 

Yes, Harper College has made arrangements with a florist to purchase flowers and they will be available at the entrance to the NOW Arena.  

The ceremony will last approximately one and a half hours.

Please notify Access and Disability Services at 847.925.6266 if you are a student with a disability and require accommodations to attend the ceremony, as reserved seating for graduates can be arranged in advance. Sign language interpreters and captioning will be available. Accessible seating is provided in the audience section for guests using wheelchairs. Ushers will be available to direct guests to this seating area.  

The Registrar’s Office will begin to review all graduation applications when final grades are submitted at the end of term. Diplomas for graduates will be mailed out 6 to 8 weeks after the end of term.  

Along with the standard graduation regalia that you have ordered from HarperStore, we suggest comfortable shoes for walking.  

Go to https://nowarena.com/graduation-faq 

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.