Group of students in regalia walk during the processional to Commencement

2026 Commencement

Chestnut Hill College’s 99th Annual Commencement is right around the corner, and we want all our Griffins to be prepared for their special day as well as events leading up to Commencement. Below you will find more information on the Commencement ceremonies, additional events celebrating our graduating classes, and resources/FAQs about the graduation process. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to email Terry Trainer (trainert@chc.edu).

99th Annual Commencement for the Class of 2026

Chestnut Hill College will celebrate its 99th Annual Commencement for all bachelor’s degree-seeking students in the School of Undergraduate Studies and School of Continuing and Professional Studies on Saturday, May 16th at 11:00am with the procession beginning at 10:30am.

The School of Graduate Studies Commencement Ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 14th at 3 PM with the procession beginning at 2:30pm. At this Ceremony, the College will confer degrees to PsyD and Master’s graduates.

All graduating students are guaranteed FOUR graduation tickets to the main graduation venue—Sorgenti Arena for the Commencement ceremony. Students will also receive two (2) additional viewing guest tickets for one of the campus viewing locations, to be announced closer to graduation date. In addition, the entire Commencement ceremony will be live-streamed via YouTube and the College website.

We are looking forward to celebrating the remarkable achievements of all of those in the Class of 2026!

*The Class of 2026 includes all graduates who graduated in the following months: August 2025, December 2025, and May 2026.

Additional Commencement-Related Events for the Class of 2026

Open to All Students

GRAD FINALE and SENIOR PORTRAITS

Students in all three schools (SUS, SCPS, and SGS) are invited to participate in Grad Finale, your one-stop-shop for all things Commencement! At Grad Finale you will be able to pick up your regalia, obtain your tickets, take your Senior Portrait, and more! Grad Finale will be on Thursday, April 23rd. SUS graduates can come anytime between 12:00pm – 3:00pm. School of Graduate Studies and School of Continuing and Professional Studies Graduates can come anytime between 4:00pm – 7:00pm.

Legacy Photographers will be available for Senior Portraits for all graduates at Grad Finale. In addition, there will be two dates: February 26 (9:30 AM – 8 PM in the Redmond Room) and March 25 (3 – 8 PM in the East Parlor). Please CLICK HERE to schedule a time with the photographer.

BACCALAUREATE PRAYER SERVICE

Students in all three schools (SUS, SCPS, and SGS) are invited to participate in the Baccalaureate Prayer Service on Friday, May 15th at 5:30pm in the Motherhouse Chapel. At Baccalaureate, we bless the graduates and pray for your journey ahead in the very special Sisters of Saint Joseph Motherhouse Chapel! All faiths and friends are welcome. Please RSVP HERE by Friday, May 8. Any questions can be directed to Anna Ryan-Bender, Director of Campus Ministry: ryan-bendera@chc.edu. 

Open to Students in the School of Graduate Studies

The School of Graduate Studies (SGS) is inviting PsyD and Master’s graduates to a reception on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 1:00pm. Please note, while families are invited to the commencement ceremony, the reception is for graduates only. If you will be attending the SGS Reception, please make sure to fill out the survey here.

Open to Students in the Schools of Undergraduate and Continuing and Professional Studies

KENTE CLOTH CEREMONY

Students in the School of Undergraduate Studies & School of Continuing and Professional Studies are invited to participate in the Annual Kente Cloth Ceremony on May 15th at 3:00 PM. Students must RSVP here to attend.

Open to Students in the School of Undergraduate Studies – Senior Sendoff 2026

Congratulations on graduating! In celebration of your accomplishments, the Office of Student Engagement has put together an array of events for you taking place from Tuesday, May 12 through Thursday, May 14, leading up to Commencement on May 16th. The theme of Senior Send-off this year is “The Sky’s the Limit”, meaning that although your time at CHC has come to an end, there are no boundaries or limits to what you can achieve or pursue in the future!

To partake in any or all the opportunities provide to the Class of 2026, please complete this RSVP form. Please note that there is a fee associated with the Happy Hour to cover the cost of food and beverages. Also, the invitation is open only to current graduating students The 2026 Senior Send-off Events include:

  • Senior Send-off Brunch
    • Tuesday, May 12, 2026 from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm
    • Location: Fournier Dining Hall
    • Cost to Senior: FREE
  • Senior Send-off Happy Hour at Chestnut Hill Brewing Company
    • Thursday, May 14, 2026 from 7:00-9:00 pm; Shuttles leave campus starting at 6:30 PM
    • Location: Chestnut Hill Brewing Company
    • Cost to Senior: $15 per ticket (includes food and beverages)

Tickets for each event will be sold in the Mailroom starting in April, as well as at the Grad Finale on Thursday, April 23, 2026. Seniors will be able to purchase tickets for each individual event they wish to attend. We accept cash or card; however, we do not take Venmo, CashApp, or similar payment apps. If you have any questions, concerns, or accessibility needs, please reach out to studentengagement@chc.edu.

Commencement FAQs

How Can I Order my Cap and Gown?

To order your caps and gowns, please click this link www.herffjones.com/college/chc. Ordering your cap and gown will ensure that we have the right size and appropriate hood available at the Grad Finale on April 23, 2026. You can also purchase class rings and diploma frames through this site. The deadline to order caps and gowns for free on-campus pick up at or after Grad Finale is Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Payment plans are also available through the site.

No longer on or near campus? – You will be able to pay to have your cap and gown shipped to your home through the Herff Jones website until April 17th, 2026.

Please note, if you didn’t make the deadlines, you may purchase your cap and gown in person at Grad Finale on April 23rd or at the bookstore April 24th until Graduation day.

If you have any specific questions relating to caps and gowns, please reach out to the Bookstore directly at jmouzon@bncollege.com or bookstore@chc.edu.

Where Can I Pick Up My Cap and Gown?

You will pick up your cap and gown at Grad Finale on Thursday, April 23rd. Order your cap and gown before Tuesday, March 17, 2026, for FREE Shipping.

When Will I Get My Honor Cords for Graduation?

Graduating honor society members will receive honors cords during their induction ceremony, from the moderator directly, or you can pick them up at the Grad Finale on Thursday, April 23rd. Please reach out to your honor society moderator for questions concerning honor cords.

How Many Tickets Will I Receive for Graduation?

All graduates is guaranteed FOUR (4) graduation tickets to the main graduation venue—Sorgenti Arena for the Commencement ceremonies held on Thursday, May 14th or Saturday, May 16th. In addition, the entire Commencement ceremony will be live-streamed. Also, students will receive two (2) additional viewing guest tickets for one of the campus viewing locations.

All tickets will be distributed at the Grad Finale on Thursday, April 23rd.

Can I Get Extra Tickets?

As it relates to the additional tickets, we do not currently have any extra tickets available. Students are able to fill out a form to be put on a waitlist where if extra tickets become available, students will be randomly selected to receive one additional ticket. All requests must be submitted by Friday, May 8 in order to be included on the waitlist.

 

Where Can I Park When I Attend the Commencement Ceremony?

Parking is very limited. Several lots are designated exclusively for handicapped guests, faculty, and resident seniors whose vehicles remain on campus overnight. Remaining spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. All overflow parking will be accommodated at our SugarLoaf Campus (corner of Germantown Avenue & Bells Mill Road). Shuttle service will be provided to and from SugarLoaf. Parking attendants will be on-site to direct cars to appropriate parking lots. We recommend arriving early knowing that you may not find parking on the Main Campus and that shuttling from an off-campus lot may take between 45-60 additional minutes because of the anticipated crowds and traffic.

Please see https://www.chc.edu/about-chc/maps for more details about parking and getting to campus.

Who Do I Contact if I Need to Make an Accommodation Request Related to a Disability?

For questions regarding an accommodation request related to a disability, please contact Terry Trainer at trainert@chc.edu or 215-248-7008.

Is There Anything I am Not Allowed to Have in and Around the Arena?

Please be advised that the following items are not permitted in the graduation arena: balloons, strollers, air horns or other noisemakers, glass bottles and containers (including vases), laser pointers or other disruptive items, coolers, signs, banners, sticks or poles, mace or similar substances, animals, except services animals, weapons, including but not limited to: firearms and knives, and alcohol.

Additionally, graduates and guests may be asked to comply with a visual inspection of persons, bags, and clothing capable of concealing prohibited items. Your cooperation in creating a safe environment for all is appreciated.

Can I Smoke on or Around Campus?

No, we are a tobacco-free campus; this includes, but is not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco, and vaping devices. This includes parking lots, on or around the soccer field, and tennis courts.

Additionally, graduates and guests may be asked to comply with a visual inspection of persons, bags, and clothing capable of concealing prohibited items. Your cooperation in creating a safe environment for all is appreciated.

Where Can I Grab a Bite to Eat Before or After the Ceremony?

There are plenty of great restaurants in town and the nearby area, as well as two Wawas within a few miles if you are looking to grab a bite to eat before or after the ceremony. Click here for a full list of restaurants in the area.

Who Do I Contact if I Have Additional Questions?

For additional questions, please contact Terry Trainer at trainert@chc.edu or 215-248-7008.