Graduation Checklist
See below for a checklist of things to do to make the December 2020 Commencement ceremonies special, including activities for before, during and after graduation day.
Before Celebration Day
- Ask yourself: Do I need academic attire? That is a personal preference based on the type of ceremony you want to have. The Commencement team recommends you wear something that reflects who you are.
- Pick a date (after Dec. 7) and a location to celebrate your commencement, then share the information with family and friends so they can join you.
- Choose someone to hand you your diploma cover on graduation day.
- If applicable, choose someone to “hood” you on graduation day.
- Organize a celebration with a watch party or in-person viewing.
- Plan on taking pictures using Zoom with the backgrounds provided through the December 2020 Commencement landing page.
- Decorate your mortarboard, whether official or homemade.
- Download printable materials for posters or yard signs. Downloads can be found through the December 2020 Commencement landing page.
- Decorate your celebration room.
- Look for your boxed Commencement materials to arrive through the mail.
On Celebration Day
- Host a watch party.
- Wear all the graduation attire you have (i.e. cap and gown, honor cords, honor’s medallion, athlete medallion).
- Stand up when the dean/provost presents your class for conferral.
- Listen for your name to be read aloud and:
- Have someone hand your diploma cover to you when your name is read. Take pictures!
- If applicable, have someone “hood” you when your name is read. Take more pictures!
- If you have a mortarboard, perform the ceremonial tassel turn when Purdue President Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr., gives the cue. If you don’t have an official mortarboard and tassel, be a true Boilermaker and create your own!
After the Celebration
- Use the hashtag #PurdueWeDidIt and share your commencement photos on social media.
- Check out the photos of your classmates that have been shared at the bottom of the December 2020 Commencement landing page.