Dear College of Law Class of 2025,
The College of Law commencement ceremony is this Saturday, May 24, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at The Chicago Theatre. Please review the ceremony information and reminders carefully.
REMINDERS
Regalia & Reader Cards
Today is the last day to pick up your regalia at the Barnes & Noble bookstore on the first floor of the DePaul Center. They will be distributing gowns until 6:00 p.m. tonight.
If you were unable to attend the Commencement Pickup event yesterday, you can still get your reader card when you arrive at The Chicago Theatre. Please look for your college’s table to claim your reader card.
Digital Tickets
The attached Mobile Ticket Tutorial gives step-by-step instructions for accessing and transferring your tickets. (Please don’t skip Step 1!)
Remember: Graduates need a ticket to enter, so keep one ticket for yourself!
COMMENCEMENT INFORMATION
Street Closure Notice
The City of Chicago will host a Memorial Day Parade on State St. between Lake St. and Van Buren St. Guidance from the city is to avoid State St. and to be aware of parking restrictions on Lake St.
Graduates and guests should consider arriving at the appropriate entrances to the theatre by way of Wabash Ave. and Benton Pl, although State St. will still be open to foot traffic. Please also be aware that the parade may still be happening when the commencement ceremony ends and everyone leaves the theater. Where possible, people should consider taking public transit to and from the venue.
Please pass along this information to your guests to ensure that they do not arrive late due to street closures.
Graduate Arrival & Entrance
- Arrive at The Chicago Theatre at 10 a.m. with your e-ticket, your DePaul ID (mobile or physical) or picture ID, your reader card, and your regalia. Remember to save an e-ticket for yourself.
- For security, please arrive at the theater carrying your regalia, not wearing it. There will be space to put on your regalia inside the lounge area.
- Be aware of The Chicago Theatre’s commencement bag and prohibited item policy. Large bags, backpacks, and any handbags larger than a small purse will not be permitted into the venue. Signs, banners, flags, and noisemaking devices are also not allowed. Please DO NOT bring bags or other prohibited items to the theater.
- Graduates—not guests—must enter through the Chase Lounge entrance, as shown in the image below. The entrance door has a black awning and is located on the south side of the building on Benton Place, between State Street and Wabash Avenue. Guests are not permitted in this area.

- Upon arrival, your e-ticket will be scanned and you will proceed to the Graduate Gathering Area. After this point, you will be able to dress in your regalia. Note that your tassel should hang on the right side of your cap.
- You do not need to check in if you have your reader card and regalia. There will be a Help Desk on-site to address any issues.
- You will stand in the Graduate Gathering Area below the theater until the start of the procession. We encourage you to wear comfortable shoes and arrive hydrated. Restrooms are in close proximity. Do not bring personal belongings to the graduate holding area as it will not be secured once the ceremony begins. You WILL NOT return to this area after the ceremony.
Disruption Response
The university will not tolerate any behavior that impedes other guests and graduates from participating in the commencement ceremonies. DePaul and venue staff will respond to disruptions, beginning with warnings and requests to respect the importance of the celebrations for our graduates and their families. Staff will ask those who prevent others from participating in, hearing or seeing the ceremony to leave. Refusal to cooperate will result in removal from the venue and may result in institutional action.
Ceremony Information
Before and throughout the ceremony, marshals will be available to direct graduates.
- When it is your turn to come on stage, bring your reader card and your hood. Please DO NOT leave your cellphone on your chair. While the marshals will make every effort to return graduates to their original seats, issues with the student procession may arise.
- All graduates will be hooded on stage. To prepare, fold your hood in half with the tails flapped inward and the narrow end pointed down for the processional. Place the hood over your left arm with the velvet side closest to your wrist. Here is a video that demonstrates the correct way to hold your hood as you approach the stage.
- On stage, hand the reader card to the marshal and start walking as soon as they motion you forward. As you descend the stage and before going back to your seat, a photographer will take a photo of you holding your diploma cover.
- At the end of the ceremony, graduates will exit the theater through the main doors on State Street. You WILL NOT go back to the graduate lineup area. You may rejoin your friends and family in the theater lobby.
Guest Information
- Doors will open at 10 a.m. and all guests should enter through the theater’s main entrance on State Street. Seating is general admission, first-come first-served. Guests must present their e-tickets for entry. Review the attached PDF for instructions regarding transferring tickets to your guests.
- Please make your guests aware of The Chicago Theatre’s commencement bag and prohibited item policy. Large bags, backpacks, and any handbags larger than a small purse will not be permitted into the venue. Signs, banners, flags, and noisemaking devices are also not allowed. Please DO NOT bring bags or other prohibited items to the theater.
- For guests who need accessible seating, ushers will be on hand to direct them to the appropriate seating areas. Accessible seating is first come, first served and cannot be reserved.
- For information on parking and public transit options, please visit the Chicago Theatre website. If driving, we recommend reserving nearby parking through SpotHero.
- Children under 2 years old do not need a ticket to enter but must sit on an accompanying adult’s lap.
Commencement Program & Ceremony Livestream
- The Commencement Program is now live here.
- The ceremony will be livestreamed here for any guests unable to attend.
After the Ceremony
- You may keep the diploma cover and your regalia, which includes your gown, cap, and hood, as well as any cords and stoles you purchased or were awarded.
- You will not receive your diploma during the ceremony. It will be mailed to you after your coursework is completed and your degree is conferred.
- GradImages will reach out to you at the DePaul and personal emails listed at the time of your RSVP with proofs of the photos taken of you at the ceremony.
If you have any questions, please contact commencement@depaul.edu.
Again, congratulations! We look forward to celebrating this special day with you!
Sincerely,
Office of University Events
DePaul University