Commencement Ceremony

Four tickets (wristbands) will be issued to each graduate for their guests at the time of cap and gown pick-up. Every guest, including children, must present a ticket to be admitted into the Athletic Center (Building F). (Only infants who will sit on a lap will not need a wristband.)

Guests must show their ticket (wristband) at entry. No exceptions.

Graduates do not need to wear a wristband.

Please register in advance with the photographer. Photos will be taken of each graduate.

More information coming soon.

Caps and gowns can be picked up in advance at the Welcome and One Stop Center at Grayslake Campus during dates and times listed below. The cap, gown and honor cord (if applicable) are free of charge and yours to keep.

Someone else can pick up your cap and gown by providing your name and student ID number at time of pick-up.

Pick-up schedule:

• Monday, Dec. 7, 2026, 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2026, 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2026, 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The Welcome and One Stop Center at Grayslake Campus is located in B-wing, 1st floor.

View map of B-wing, 1st floor

Parking information coming soon.

Graduates must arrive between 6-6:45 p.m. to check in. Please enter Building 12 (Door 12-1), located behind Building F (gym), and line up for the procession. Graduates will proceed (in the order they arrive) to the ceremony location from Building 12 to Building F. There are no assigned seats for graduates.

Questions?

• Email records@clcillinois.edu about requests to graduate, the status of a request to graduate and diplomas.
• Email commencement@clcillinois.edu about the commencement ceremony or to request an accommodation.

• View map of Grayslake Campus, Building F

Guests with tickets (wristbands) will enter the Athletic Center (Building F) through the main doors and will be seated in designated areas in the gym. Seating inside the gym is limited. Guests must be wearing their wristband before entry. No exceptions.

Guests may not bring balloons, flowers or noisemakers into the Athletic Center.

Guests without a wristband are welcome to view the live stream of the event in the aerobics room in the Athletic Center.

Grayslake maps:

• View map of entire Grayslake Campus
• View map of building G
• View map of building F

Graduates will receive one copy of the commencement program. One program will be offered to each group of guests, while supplies last.

Details coming soon.

Closed captioning in English and Spanish will be shown on two screens in the gym during the ceremony.

All graduates registered with the photographer should have received an email or text from the photographer about proofs.

For questions about the printed name/spelling of name on diplomas/certificates or how diplomas/certificates are sent out, please contact records@clcillinois.edu.

CLC partners with Parchment to issue diplomas. Paper diplomas are issued via U.S. mail approximately 4-6 weeks after the semester ends to the current address on file with the College of Lake County. Graduates, please verify that your current address is on file in StudentCenter.

Graduates also receive a digital diploma via Parchment that can be shared on social media or with family and friends. Digital diplomas are issued approximately 1-3 weeks after the semester ends. Watch for email updates from Parchment. Login to your Parchment account to access your digital diploma.