HAROLD WASHINGTON COLLEGE

2025 GRADFEST SCHEDULE

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

April 28 – May 2, 2025

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: Thursday, April 24, 2025

Time Event Name Location
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Lavender Graduation Reception (District-wide event hosted at HWC)

Learn more: https://colleges.ccc.edu/event/lavender-graduation-celebration-2/

 Room 103

Monday, April 28, 2025

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
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. – 5:00 p.m. Decorate Your Cap

Join us to express yourself and encapsulate your college journey by decorating your graduation cap.

 Room 103
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Letters of Gratitude Self-Serve Station

Grads can write letters to professors and staff who have inspired them the most. Letters will be hand delivered on their behalf to the recipients’ departments at HWC.

 Room 103
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Celebration Photos With the Career and Transfer Centers

Grab a pennant from your next dream school or make a sign and celebrate your career direction with the Career and Transfer Centers.

 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. – 1:00 p.m.

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

 LinkedIn Pair/Share 

Students are invited to get help creating or improving their LinkedIn profiles from Career Development staff. You will learn how to maximize your LinkedIn presence.

 Room 103

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Time Event Name Location
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Districtwide Virtual Career Fair

Network with industry professionals during a districtwide virtual career fair.

Learn more and RSVP: www.ccc.edu/districtwidefair

 Virtual
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
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Grad Photos With Felix the Mascot at Cap and Gown Pick-Up

 Room 103
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. – 5:00 p.m.

Decorate Your Cap

Join us to express yourself and encapsulate your college journey by decorating your graduation cap.

 Room 103

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Celebration Photos With the Career and Transfer Centers

Grab a pennant from your next dream school or make a sign and celebrate your career direction with the Career and Transfer Centers.

 Room 103

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Letters of Gratitude Self-Serve Station

Grads can write letters to professors and staff who have inspired them the most. Letters will be hand delivered on their behalf to the recipients’ departments at HWC.

 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. – 1:00 p.m.

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

LinkedIn Pair/Share 

Students are invited to get help creating or improving your LinkedIn profiles from Career Development staff. You will learn how to maximize your LinkedIn presence. 

 Room 103
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Ice Cream Social

Here’s the scoop: we think you’re awesome! Join us for a treat.

 Room 103
2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Karaoke Lounge: Grad Edition

Join us for a fun afternoon of music and good energy to celebrate our amazing HWC grads!

 Student Lounge (Lower Level)

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

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
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.

Decorate Your Cap

Join us to express yourself and encapsulate your college journey by decorating your graduation cap.

 Room 103
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Letters of Gratitude Self-Serve Station

Grads can write letters to professors and staff who have inspired them the most. Letters will be hand delivered on their behalf to the recipients’ departments at HWC.

 Room 103

10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

LinkedIn Pair/Share

Students are invited to get help creating or improving your LinkedIn profiles from Career Development staff. You will learn how to maximize your LinkedIn presence.

 Room 103

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Celebration Photos with the Career and Transfer Centers

Grab a pennant from your next dream school or make a sign and celebrate your career direction with the Career and Transfer Centers.

 Room 103

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

CCCF Stay Connected Raffle: Sign Up and Win

Participate in this CCC Foundation raffle and win big!

 Room 103

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Ice Cream Social

Here’s the scoop: we think you’re awesome! Join us for a treat.

 Room 103

Thursday, May 1, 2025

Time Event Name Location
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Grad Reception 

The time has come to 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 HWC memories and reflect on those who have supported you on campus, at home, or in your communities
  • Faculty Speaker: Michal Eskayo

RSVP: https://forms.office.com/r/3Z3dWCDD3S

 Room 103

Friday, May 2, 2025

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

TRIO End-of-Year Celebration

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

 Room 1115