Prepare to Attend DePaul’s Commencement June 15-16 at Wintrust Arena

Graduating students and faculty who are participating in commencement can find information on each ceremony on the DePaul commencement website. All ceremonies require general admission tickets.  

The website also has information to prepare students and their guests for the ceremony and instructions for faculty participation. 

Student attendees also should review these short videos on crossing the stage to receive a diploma and, for faculty and some graduate students, the proper way to bestow and wear a graduation hood. 

Because paid parking in the area is highly limited, attendees are encouraged to use public transportation or taxi/rideshare options to get to Wintrust Arena, located at 200 E. Cermak Road in Chicago’s South Loop. The arena is accessible by city bus and elevated train. Directions, maps and public transportation options can be found on the commencement website.

If you drive, please be aware that the area surrounding Wintrust has very limited paid street parking, though parking garage options are available. Please be aware that we expect Lot A to reach capacity quickly. With six ceremonies occurring over two days, traffic in the area may be heavy when guests from one ceremony are exiting parking areas while guests for the next ceremony are arriving.

Lot A – 2301 South Prairie Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616: (8' height clearance) is a six-level garage with 2,100 parking spaces located on Martin Luther King Drive, adjacent to McCormick Place’s West Building. Covered walkways from Lot A leading directly into McCormick Place, Wintrust Arena, Marriott Marquis and Hyatt Regency McCormick Place Hotel also provide added convenience. The parking rate is $23 for up to 16 hours and $36 from 16 to 24 hours. Credit cards are accepted at the parking pay stations. There are no in-and-out privileges. Overnight parking is available in Lot A only. Lost tickets will pay the $36 (overnight) fee per day. 

Much like NFL stadiums and other large venues, Wintrust Arena adheres to strict safety procedures that are enforced without exception. Everyone entering the arena will pass through a metal detector and security bag check. In addition, graduates and their guests should become familiar ahead of time with the arena’s strict bag and purse policy, which prohibits nearly all purses and bags, and its list of other prohibited items. 

Guidebook shares information to help students and their guests navigate commencement day. This includes instructions on when and where to arrive, box office instructions for late ticket pickups, a PDF of the commencement program booklet and information about photography, flowers and gifts for graduates that are available at the venue.  

To download Guidebook to your mobile device: