Harold Washington College

2026 GradFest Schedule

All GradFest events will be held at the college unless otherwise noted. Please see below for exact timing and locations.

April 27 – May 1, 2026

All students participating in the in-person ceremony must pick up their cap, gown, tassel, and tickets during GradFest.

For more information, please contact:

Pre-GradFest: Wednesday, April 22

Time Event Name Location
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Lavender Graduation

(District-wide event hosted at Kennedy-King)

 Kennedy-King College, U-Building Great Hall
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Northeastern Illinois University Day Harold Washington College, Room 103

Pre-GradFest: Thursday, April 23

Time Event Name Location
3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

You Applied (or got in), So Now What? An Alumni Panel

 Virtual Event, Online Only

Monday, April 27

Time Event Name Location
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Cap, Gown, and Ticket Pick-Up

Pick up your regalia (including honors cords) and Commencement tickets, as well as other college swag and giveaways.

 Room 103
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Parchment

Assisting students with ordering transcripts

 Room 209
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

GradImages on Campus

Take professional photos in your cap and gown. You will be able to purchase the photos after graduation.

 Room 103

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Financial Aid Assistance Sessions

The following assistance will be provided during these sessions:

  • Exit counseling
  • Financial aid literacy
  • Outstanding financial aid documents
  • Financial aid awards
  • FAFSA completion
 Room 103
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Career and Transfer Checkout

Check out with the Career and Transfer Center to:

  • Receive a Career and Job Seeker Toolkit.
  • Update your Handshake profile for post–graduation engagement.
  • Share your post-graduation transfer plans.
  • Complete an application for transfer admission.
 Room 103
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Decorate Your Cap Room 103
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Grad Gratitude Letters Room 103

Tuesday, April 28

Time Event Name Location
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Cap, Gown, and Ticket Pick-Up

Pick up your regalia (including honors cords) and Commencement tickets, as well as other college swag and giveaways

 Room 103
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Parchment

Assisting students with ordering transcripts

 Room 209
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

GradImages on Campus

Take professional photos in your cap and gown. You will be able to purchase the photos after graduation.

 Room 103

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Financial Aid Assistance Sessions 

The following assistance will be provided during these sessions: 

  • Exit counseling 
  • Financial aid literacy
  • Outstanding financial aid documents
  • Financial aid awards
  • FAFSA completion
 Room 103
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Career and Transfer Checkout

Check out with the Career and Transfer Center to:

  • Receive a Career and Job Seeker Toolkit.
  • Update your Handshake profile for post-graduation engagement.
  • Share your post-graduation transfer plans.
  • Complete an application for transfer admission.
 Room 103

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Decorate Your Cap

Room 103

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

Grad Gratitude Letters

Room 103

Wednesday, April 29

Time Event Name Location
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Cap, Gown, and Ticket Pick-Up

Pick up your regalia (including honors cords) and Commencement tickets, as well as other college swag and giveaways.

 Room 103
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Parchment

Assisting students with ordering transcripts

 Room 209

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

GradImages on Campus

Take professional photos in your cap and gown. You will be able to purchase the photos after graduation.

 Room 103
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Grad Goals & Growth Studio

Workshop for grads to artistically create their future academic and professional goals

Room 1115

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Financial Aid Assistance Sessions

The following assistance will be provided during these sessions:

  • Exit counseling
  • Financial aid literacy
  • Outstanding financial aid documents
  • Financial aid awards
  • FAFSA completion
 Room 103

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Career and Transfer Checkout

Check out with the Career and Transfer Center to:

  • Receive a Career and Job Seeker Toolkit.
  • Update your Handshake profile for post-graduation engagement.
  • Share your post-graduation transfer plans.
  • Complete an application for transfer admission.
 Room 103

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Decorate Your Cap

 Room 103

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Grad Gratitude

Room 103

Thursday, April 30

Time Event Name Location
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Decorate Your Cap

Room 103
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Grad Gratitude Letters Room 103
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Parchment

Assisting students with ordering transcripts

 Room 209
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Grad Reception

Celebrate your accomplishments and resilience throughout your educational journey, especially your time here at Harold Washington College!

What to expect:

  • Music and light entertainment
  • A celebratory address from our college president, Dr. Daniel Lopez, Jr.
  • Dinner for you and one guest.
  • A moment to share your Harold Washington College memories and reflect on those who have supported you on campus, at home, or in your communities.
 Room 103

Friday, May 1

Time Event Name Location
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

TRIO End of the Year Celebration

This event is only open to TRIO students (see confirmation email from hwc-triosss@ccc.edu).

 Room 103
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Parchment

Assisting students with ordering transcripts

 Room 209
5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. SGA Spring Formal Room 1115