Taylor University Commencement

May 18, 2024, 10 am, Kesler Student Activities Center

Please Note: The information below reflects the 2023 Commencement Ceremony. Details for Commencement 2024 will be available near the end of the fall semester, and the livestream will begin 15 minutes before the start of the ceremony (9:45 am EDT).

Please check out our maps and directions page for area information.

Travel Update

Please be aware of road work and potential detours that may impact travel to campus in May. Although the Main Street Project in Upland has been postponed and will not impact Commencement traffic this year, exit closures on I-69 may cause delay. In late May, Exit 255 (SR 26) and Exit 259 (SR 22/35) will be closed. Please check for updates and prepare for detours as you travel to Commencement.

Student Information

Caps & Gowns

Caps and gowns will be available for pick up at the Campus Store Monday through Thursday, May 15–18, 8 am–5 pm, and on Friday, May 19, 8 am–noon. Questions regarding picking up caps and gowns should be directed to Stacie Pearson at 765-998-5219.

Commencement honors and regalia are determined based on your cumulative grade point average (GPA) following J-Term 2023 grades. Please note that degree transcript/diploma honors are based on your cumulative GPA at time of degree conferral.

Grad Fair

The Campus Store will host a grad fair on Thursday, April 6, from 9 am–3 pm. Jostens will display class rings and announcements, and other Commencement-related items will be available.

Senior Dinner and Senior Program

Taylor University Dining Services will host a Senior Dinner for all seniors and their guests on Friday, May 19, from 5–7 pm, in the Hodson Dining Commons. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 7. The cost for advance tickets is $18 per adult, $5 per child (ages 3-11) and children 2 and under are free. Please make your ticket purchases no later than Friday, May 6. Non-graduating Taylor University students, with a valid meal plan, may use their meal plan to eat in the Dining Commons for dinner. Graduating seniors will receive a complimentary meal. Please do not include your Taylor student(s) in your reservations.

Ticket purchases can be made online. All ticket purchases are non-refundable after May 5. Questions regarding the senior dinner should be directed to Chelsea Klein (cklein@parkhurstdining.com, 765-998-4661).

A Senior Program will be held at 7 pm in Rediger Chapel/Auditorium for all seniors and their guests. Members of the senior class plan this event, which will include praise and worship as well as remarks by members of the senior class, faculty, and staff. All are invited to this program; there is no charge. A dessert reception will follow at approximately 8 pm in the Campus Center.

In Absentia

Students planning to complete a degree between December 2022 through Summer* 2023 are expected to participate in the Commencement ceremony, unless they were already included in Commencement for that degree. If at any time you determine that you are unable to attend, please contact Vince Small in the Registrar’s Office at vnsmall@taylor.edu and indicate the reason you are unable to attend. This information is crucial for the final line of march for the ceremony and whether or not your Bible, towel, and diploma cover are mailed to you, and is due no later than May 1. We appreciate your assistance.

*Those anticipating Summer graduation, with no more than 8 credits to be completed in Summer, are included in Commencement prior to graduation.

Residence Hall/Apartment Move-Out Information

Graduating seniors must check out and vacate by 4 pm on Saturday, May 20. Undergraduates must check out within 24 hours of last exam. Seeing that the last final exam ends by 5 pm on Thursday, May 18, all residents will be checked out of their rooms by 5 pm on Friday, May 19. Those approved to participate in Commencement as a musician; flag, banner, or mace carrier; usher/host, or student marshal must check out by 9 am on Saturday, May 20, and vacate by 4 pm. All check outs must be prescheduled with Residence Life staff. (Specifically, students must check out of their room—meaning that room is clean and in order and most items have been moved either to storage or to a vehicle prior to 9 am. Then, following Commencement, students may go back to their room, quickly change and collect their last few belongings, and vacate their room). Questions regarding residence halls should be directed to your hall director or to Housing Coordinator Analiesa Smith at housing@taylor.edu.

Guest Information

Entry

Kesler Student Activities Center seating will be available beginning at 9 am.

Printed Programs

Graduates will receive two copies of the full Commencement printed program—one for themselves and one for their family (limited extra copies available at the event). The remainder of the audience will receive a one-page program agenda with a QR code for access to the full online program. Guests are encouraged to bring electronic devices such as phones and tablets for viewing extended program information, including the order of graduates.

Seating

Tickets are not required for entry into the Kesler Student Activities Center. There will be ample seating for all graduates and their guests.

Handicapped Assistance

Handicapped Parking

Parking for those with special needs will be available in the north parking lot adjacent to the Kesler Student Activities Center until 9:30 am. The vehicle must display either a license plate or hang tag indicating disability. Questions regarding parking should be directed to Campus Police at 765-998-5395.

Parking/Shuttle Service

Parking is available in all campus parking lots. A limited number of vans will shuttle guests from outlying lots to the Kesler Student Activities Center and return them following the ceremony.

Photographs

A professional photograph will be taken of each graduate as he/she receives their diploma from the President, and will be provided digitally by the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations to the graduate’s Taylor University email address at no charge. For guest safety, there will not be an area designated for photography by guests near the platform, and no tripods may be set up in aisles, doorways, or walkways and guests are asked to stay in their seats throughout the duration of the event.

Duration

Expect the ceremony to last approximately two hours from the processional through the end of the recessional.

Campus Store/Flowers

For the convenience of graduates and guests, the Campus Store will operate a pop-up store inside Kesler Student Activities Center an hour prior to and an hour after the Commencement ceremony. The Campus Store on Reade Avenue will be open 8 am – 4 pm the day of Commencement for the sale of University items, diploma frames and other gifts. Questions regarding the Campus Store should be directed to Stacie Pearson at 765-998-5219. A large and beautiful selection of fresh floral bouquets will be available to browse and purchase on the day of Commencement. Orders may be placed in advance and picked up on the morning of the ceremony.

Lunch Day of Commencement

The Boren Center Food Court and Chick-fil-A will be open for lunch on the day of Commencement from 11:30 am–2 pm. The Jumping Bean will be open from 8:30 am–2 pm.