Ceremony Guidelines
Formal Wear
In-person ceremonies (undergraduates and graduate)
The commencement ceremony is a traditional, formal exercise and as such should be conducted with dignity, splendor, and respect for fellow classmates and guests. Candidates should be dressed appropriately.
Personal Items
In-person ceremonies (undergraduate and graduate)
Graduates should leave purses and other valuables at home or with their guests—such items should not be carried in the processional or left in the assembly room. The University is not responsible for items left unattended.
Line of March
In-person ceremonies (undergraduate and graduate)
The marshals will place candidates in the correct marching order and show them the route to the ceremony. The marshal’s directions should be followed explicitly! Candidates should not try to keep in step with the music; rather, they should walk evenly and slowly using short steps and staying in single file. The distance between candidates should remain consistent and a sufficient pace maintained to prevent long gaps or jams from occurring in the line.
Regalia Information
Ordering
Order your cap & gown online through Herff-Jones by April 11. If you miss the deadline to order online, contact the Bookstore at 210-999-7028 or bookstore@trinity.edu. Please direct any questions about cap & gown or Herff-Jones to the Bookstore.
Honor Stoles
Undergraduate candidates who meet the University’s requirements to receive Latin honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude) will wear a stole symbolizing The President’s Award for Academic Excellence. Stoles will be distributed during the check-in process at the assembly room before the ceremony.
Adornments
The commencement ceremony recognizes primarily academic achievements. Cords and stoles may be worn to indicate membership in any University-recognized or University-sponsored group. Cords and stoles must be approved by the Commencement and Convocation Committee at least 4 weeks prior to the ceremony.
Any decorations or messages added to the cap should be respectful of others and the university’s values and consistent with the celebratory nature of the ceremony. Added decorations or messages must not add height to the cap or impede the view of other participants or guests. Decorations or messages that do not fall within these guidelines may be removed by the University-appointed marshals on the day of commencement.
Please direct any questions about Adornments to Eve Christoffersen (echristo@trinity.edu).
Tickets
Undergraduate Ceremony
Tickets are required for admission to the Undergraduate ceremony for guests of the degree candidates. Any guests without commencement tickets will be provided seating in Rooms 319 and 320 of Laurie Auditorium. There will be a livestream of the ceremony in each of these rooms.
Number of tickets
Each degree candidate who chooses to participate in these in-person ceremonies will be allowed a maximum of seven ticketed guests.
Accommodations
Degree candidates who have guests with accessibility issues can make arrangements for accommodations through the Laurie Auditorium Box Office either in person or by calling 210-999-8119.
Graduate Ceremony
The Graduate ceremony will not require tickets.
Diplomas
Official diplomas will be mailed to the address indicated by the candidate on the Application for Graduation (or the permanent address, if no address is indicated) approximately four to six weeks after the commencement ceremony. If this information needs to be updated, please do so by emailing Eve Christoffersen at echristo@trinity.edu by May 24, 2024.
Live-Stream Information
Tiger Network
Schedule:
All ceremonies will be live-streamed at live.trinity.edu at the start of the event in Central Standard Time.
How to access:
Visit live.trinity.edu on desktop, mobile, or the Tiger Network App on Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire TV.
Share the live-stream information with family, friends, and on social media using #TrinityU2023
On-Demand:
Each ceremony will be available to watch on-demand the same day.
Internet Connection Speed:
If you're viewing the stream via live.trinity.edu, follow the system requirements for YouTube.
Graduation Photos
Photographs
Take advantage of our designated photo-op areas
Meditation Garden
Take it all in. This Insta-worthy, tranquil spot on campus features fountains and a garden.
Miller Fountain
Enjoy the sounds of Miller Fountain one last time.
The Magic Stones
All of those days of studying and soaking up the magical powers paid off, because you did it!
Strike a pose at our photo booth post-commencement!
Join us at Miller Fountain for some epic selfies, group shots, and memories with your squad and fam!
Purchase your graduation photos from The Grad Team
All graduation photos taken by The Grad Team at the ceremony will be available online for purchase. Each graduate will receive an email with a link to their photos as soon as they are ready.