Commencement

Overview

Commencement is the ceremony in which graduates celebrate the completion of a degree by receiving a diploma cover. Each ceremony lasts between one to two hours. There is no fee to participate and tickets are not required.

Fall 2020 Commencement

Virtual ceremonies will go live Friday, Dec. 18 at 1 p.m. These ceremonies will include brief remarks from Chancellor Randy Pembrook, Provost Denise Cobb and SIU President Dan Mahony; recognize University honors and awards; acknowledge student speakers; confer degrees; and welcome SIUE's newest graduates to the SIUE Alumni Association. In addition to these virtual ceremonies, there will be links to the fall 2020 virtual commencement program, thank you messages to your supporters and congratulatory messages to graduates.

• The virtual commencement link will remain active for several weeks for you to watch at your convenience.
• It will then be archived to the commencement website.

You can celebrate on social media as well. We’ve developed SIUE Class of 2020 social media graphics and frames. There's something for you and your families! Download your favorites here.

December 1, 2020

Due to public safety guidelines related to COVID-19 and the Restore Illinois plan, we will not be hosting an in-person commencement in December. Virtual ceremonies will be posted on the commencement website Friday, Dec. 18 at 1 p.m. An email will be sent with the link to view all virtual ceremonies that morning.

Unfortunately, we will not be hosting an in-person celebration on Saturday, Dec. 19 as we had hoped. Safety remains our top priority. Therefore, we do not feel comfortable bringing people to campus amid rising COVID-19 concerns and related IDHS regulations. This is disappointing, but necessary for the health and well-being of all involved. We want to assure you, we will continue to keep in touch after fall 2020 commencement to invite all graduates back for an in-person commencement when we are able to bring large groups back to campus.

Instructions:

• Applications were due Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020.
• Any graduate who does not apply to graduate before Friday, Dec. 4 will not be included in the fall 2020 commencement program or virtual slides on Friday, Dec. 18.
  • Late applicants will be collected and added to the program and virtual slides in January
• If you have questions, please contact the Office of the Registrar at graduation@siue.edu.

Importantly, we ask all graduates to please visit CougarNet to confirm or update their current address as soon as possible. This is imperative to ensure all University documents, including diplomas, are delivered to the correct address. Please also update your personal email addresses for future communications. 

• Diploma covers, a fall 2020 commencement program, an e-pin and an alumni tech sticker will be mailed to all fall 2020 graduates by the end of January.
• Diplomas will be mailed approximately 12 weeks after grades are posted.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us at commencement@siue.edu.