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Countdown to Your Cap and Gown

Welcome to the Stuart School of Business Countdown to Your Cap and Gown. Graduation is more than a ceremony. It is the celebration of late nights, big goals, group projects, growth, and everything in between. Whether you are completing your degree on campus or online, this milestone reflects the dedication and resilience that brought you here.

As Commencement approaches, this page will guide you through important next steps, key deadlines, Stuart specific celebrations, and who to contact if you need support. Our goal is to help make your experience smooth, memorable, and meaningful.

Congratulations. You have earned this moment.

—Stuart School of Business

Before You Begin

Illinois Tech’s official Commencement website is the primary source for university wide ceremony information, including ticketing, regalia ordering, ceremony logistics, and venue details. This Stuart page highlights school specific updates, celebrations, and contacts for business students.

We encourage you to review both pages to stay fully informed. Visit the Illinois Tech Commencement website.

Graduation Guidance Sessions

Drop in for guidance on completing graduation requirements. All pending graduates are encouraged to attend. All sessions can also be joined .

• Thursday, March 5 | Noon–1 p.m. | Virtual
• Tuesday, March 31 | Noon–1 p.m. | Virtual
• Monday, April 13 | 12:30–2:30 p.m. | MTCC Brown Room
• Tuesday, April 14 | 12:30–2:30 p.m. | MTCC Brown Room
• Tuesday, April 14 | 4–6 p.m. | CLC 480

Topics Covered:

• Degree Conferral Application – vary by term*
• Ceremony RSVP deadline
• Name reader instructions
• Cap and gown ordering
• Completion of First Destination Survey
• Alumni contact updates on Illinois Tech Portal

Stuart FAQs

Can I attend the Saturday, May 16, 2026 Commencement ceremony?

Yes, if you graduated in fall 2025 (December 20, 2025), or plan to graduate by spring 2026 (May 16, 2026) and summer 2026 (August 15, 2026).

You must submit a Degree Conferral Application by the date(s) below:

• Fall 2025 deadline: September 8, 2025
• Spring 2026 deadline: February 2, 2026

If you missed the fall and spring degree conferral deadlines, in order to attend the May ceremony, you must contact StuartAdvising@IllinoisTech.edu as soon as possible.

• Summer 2026 deadline: June 5, 2026

To attend the May ceremony, you must meet all 2026 ceremony deadlines. We encourage all those who intend to graduate to apply no later than March 15. You can apply via the Illinois Tech Portal and we recommend that you notify StuartAdvising@IllinoisTech.edu once completed.

How do I confirm my attendance for the May 16, 2026 ceremony?

Graduates will be required to complete a Commencement ceremony response form to confirm their attendance. All graduates, whether attending or not, are encouraged to complete this form.

Historically, the RSVP form has been sent to students’ Illinois Tech email accounts in late February, with a deadline in March. Exact dates and the RSVP link will be emailed to eligible graduates and posted on this page once available.

If you submit the form and later need to make changes, updates are typically permitted through early April. We encourage students to complete the RSVP as soon as it is available rather than waiting until the deadline.

Note: Missing the RSVP deadline may impact the ability to guarantee guest tickets. Graduates are encouraged to monitor their Illinois Tech email regularly for updates.

How do I order my cap and gown?

Regalia (cap and gown) is ordered online through Illinois Tech’s official vendor, .

In previous years, ordering opened in early spring with a late March/early April deadline. Final ordering instructions, deadlines, and the direct link to the vendor will be sent to graduates via email and added to this page once confirmed.

For master’s degree students: All Stuart School of Business master’s graduates (with the exception of Master of Public Administration graduates) wear the same hood. When selecting your area of study, you will historically select: Stuart School of Business – Master of Business Administration.

Additional information about regalia will be updated here once available.

Coursera student without a U.S. mailing address for my cap and gown

If you are joining us from abroad, we are happy to receive your cap and gown on campus for you to pick up. We recommend seeking family or friends with a U.S. address to support, if possible, as we have limited capacity; therefore this support option is restricted to only our international Coursera learners.

Note that no cap and gowns will be taken to the actual graduation venue or available for pick up the day of Commencement. All caps and gowns must be picked up in advance. Pick up will occur sometime between May 11–14. Additional information will be shared closer to the date.

If you are interested in this option, mail your cap and gown to:

Care of Cheryl Gaines, (YOUR NAME)
Mies Campus, 10 Â鶹APP
Galvin Tower, Floor 18
Â鶹APP, IL 60616

I have concerns about my graduation eligibility. Who should I contact?

Undergraduate students: Students are required to have a minimum 2.0 GPA to graduate. If you have GPA concerns, contact your assigned advisor directly.

Graduate students: Students are required to have a minimum 3.0 GPA to graduate. If you have GPA concerns, attend walk-in advising hours or schedule an appointment with your advisor via StuartAdvising@IllinoisTech.edu as soon as possible.

When do I receive my diploma?

Eligible graduates will first receive an email prompting them to confirm diploma details and submit their diploma shipping request. Diplomas are typically issued shortly after the official conferral date and mailed within approximately four to six weeks after the Office of the Registrar receives the completed diploma request form.

Note: If you have any holds on your student account, both your virtual and physical diplomas will be withheld until those holds are resolved. Visit Hold Information.

For questions about diplomas, contact the Office of the Registrar at registrar@illinoistech.edu or visit their website for additional details.

Still Have Questions?

Commencement is a university-wide event supported by multiple departments. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, we encourage you to also review the Illinois Tech Commencement Frequently Asked Questions page. If you know the type of question you have, contact the appropriate office below.

• Graduate and undergraduate student application and graduation eligibility: aa@illinoistech.edu
• Coursera questions: coursera@illinoistech.edu
• Diploma questions: registrar@illinoistech.edu
• Disability Services questions: disabilities@illinoistech.edu
• International student questions: global@illinoistech.edu
• Commencement ceremony questions: commencement@illinoistech.edu
• Â鶹APP-Kent Commencement: ckcommencement@illinoistech.edu
• 50th Reunion questions: Caroline Bozell (cbozell@illinoistech.edu)

Not sure who to contact? If you are unsure which office can best assist you, the Stuart Commencement team is happy to help guide you.

Stuart School of Business - College Commencement Planners

• Curt Allee, Assistant Dean, callee@illinoistech.edu
• Yesenia Alarcon, Assistant Director, yalarcon@illinoistech.edu
• Lyzzette Torres Rodriguez, Student Engagement Specialist, ltorresrodriguez@illinoistech.edu