City Colleges’ 2024 Commencement Ceremonies for Associate Degree Earners will take place on Saturday, May 4, 2023, at Wintrust Arena.

Graduates will be celebrated during two ceremonies:

• The morning ceremony, which will begin at 10:00 a.m., will recognize graduates from Harold Washington College, Harry S Truman College, Kennedy-King College, and Richard J. Daley College.
• The afternoon ceremony, which will begin at 3:30 p.m., will recognize graduates from Malcolm X College, Olive-Harvey College and Wilbur Wright College.

City Colleges students who have earned an associate degree during the Summer 2023 or Fall 2023 semesters or who are expected to complete their associate degree during the Spring 2024 term will be recognized at the 2024 commencement ceremonies.

To participate in the in-person ceremony, graduates must have ordered a cap and gown from Jostens and must have registered for the ceremony in MarchingOrder.

Yes. Guests are required to show a ticket to enter Wintrust Arena. Graduates will pick up tickets for their guests during GradFest (week of April 29). They should distribute tickets to guests prior to graduation.  

No. Guest seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you would like to sit near the accessibility seating, please arrive early.

For graduates: Graduates must arrive at Wintrust Arena no later than 30 minutes before the start of their ceremony and must be seated in their designated seating 15 minutes before the start of their ceremony.

For guests: Doors will open one (1) hour before the start of the ceremony for general seating—9:00 a.m. for the morning ceremony and 2:30 p.m. for the afternoon ceremony.

Each ceremony is expected to last approximately two to 2.5 hours. 

Yes. The ceremony will be livestreamed at www.ccc.edu/graduation.  

The in-person ceremony will be held at Wintrust Arena and will feature a traditional marching of graduates, performances, and speeches by selected staff, faculty, and students.

The virtual ceremony will include a livestream of the event. Students will also be able to download their “graduation slide” (a designed graphic) from www.ccc.edu/graduation.

Graduates and guests with disabilities can request accommodations by filling out this form: https://forms.office.com/r/N74gvbktbu   

Someone from City Colleges will be in touch with you after the request is received. If you made a request and did not receive a response, email commencement@ccc.edu and accessservices@ccc.edu.   

Wintrust Arena is located at the corner of East Cermak Road and Indiana Avenue. The address is 200 E. Cermak Road, Chicago, IL 60616.    

Please visit https://wintrustarena.com/plan-your-visit/directions/ to learn more about directions to the arena, public transportation options, parking, and more.   

Wintrust Arena uses metal detectors and follows a policy limiting the size and style of bags allowed in the building. Guests may bring the following bags:

• Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags that do not exceed 12″ x 6″ x 12″.
• Small clutch purses that do not exceed 4.5″ x 6.5″ in size. Bags may be hand carried or have a shoulder strap.
• One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag.

Please visit https://wintrustarena.com/plan-your-visit/purse-bag-policy/ to learn more.  

Small posters/signs will be allowed in the arena as long as they do not obstruct the view of other guests. Approved signs are subject to building approval.

Oversized signs (larger than 2’ x 3’) or signs on sticks will not be allowed.

No. Wintrust Arena does not allow the use of noise-making devices, such as air horns, whistles, and related items.   

Luggage, backpacks, purses, or bags larger than a clutch (4.5″ x 6.5″ or 6.5″ x 4.5″)

Large umbrellas (small, hand-size umbrellas are allowed in severe weather)

Animals (with the exception of Certified Service Animals)

Outside food or beverage

Cans, bottles, coolers, or other similar containers

iPads, tablets, or laptops

Laser pens, laser products, or glow sticks

Balloons

Projectiles (including frisbees and beach balls)

Stickers of any kind

Skateboards, skates (roller or in-line), scooters, or hover boards

Sticks, poles, selfie sticks, or Go Pro sticks

Weapons (knives, guns, chains, or any item that can be construed as a weapon)

Illegal substances/drugs of any kind (an exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at the entrance)

Fireworks or any other incendiary device

Any other item deemed unacceptable by City Colleges and/or Wintrust Arena

No. Graduates and guests will be required to bring any coats or jackets to their seats.

Wintrust Arena does not allow large umbrellas. Small, hand-size umbrellas will be allowed in severe weather. Please call ahead (312-791-6900) for more information.

Yes. Limited food and beverage items will be available for purchase. For health code and safety reasons, the arena does not allow outside food and beverages, including water. 

Yes. Flowers will be available for purchase at Wintrust Arena on graduation day.  

Only diploma covers will be issued during the ceremony on May 4. For this reason, the conferring of degrees at the ceremony is provisional, pending verification that degree requirements have all been met. Students who graduated in the Summer or Fall semester should have received their diploma by mail. Log in to www.parchment.com to claim your digital diploma if you have not already done so.  

Students who will graduate at the end of the Spring semester will receive information regarding their final graduation audit and possible degree conferral via their student email. Students can expect to receive additional messaging in late June notifying you to log in to www.parchment.com to verify your mailing address and claim your digital diploma. You will have 72 hours from the time you receive the email to confirm your address, or it will be mailed to the address we have on file.