Preparing for Graduation

Commencement rehearsal will be held on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 9 a.m. in Richardson Fine Arts Center.

All graduating seniors are cordially invited to Lincoln University's Senior Toast immediately following commencement rehearsal (approximately 11 a.m.) in the Dorothy E. Steward Art Gallery (Richardson Fine Arts Center Second Floor). Please join fellow graduates for a special brunch in your honor.

• Each graduate will receive EIGHT (8) tickets.
• Digital tickets are required for attendees ages three and up.
• Each ticket allows a single entry and cannot be reused after being scanned.
• Tickets can be scanned from your phone or printed before arrival.
• Doors will open for guests one hour before the ceremony.
• There will be a security checkpoint, so please consider time for this process as you plan your and your guests’ arrival.

• Jason Gym lot reserved for graduates.
• Mitchell Hall lot reserved for accessible parking.
• Guests with mobility issues may be dropped off in the circle driveway of Richardson Fine Arts Center.
• Overflow Lot (between Richardson and MLK) is available for platform guests.
• All other lots are open for guest parking.
  
  Click to view campus map and directions.

Students must satisfy all academic and financial requirements to be eligible to participate in the commencement ceremonies.

• Order your regalia through Josten. An order link will be shared when available. 
• Printed Invitations and announcements for mailing to family and friends may be ordered from Jostens. These purchases from Jostens are voluntary. You are only required to order regalia.

Students receiving a BA, BLS, or BS who have completed sixty (60) hours at Lincoln University of Missouri, and who have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or above will graduate with honors. Eligibility for honors to be recognized at the May graduation ceremony will be calculated based on your cumulative grades and GPA as of the end of the fall semester (December).

GPA 3.2 - 3.5: Cum Laude honors
GPA 3.6 - 3.7: Magna Cum Laude honors
GPA 3.8 - 4.0: Summa Cum Laude honors

Diplomas are not issued at the ceremony. They are mailed six to eight weeks after the conferral date. Diplomas can be picked up in the Registrar’s office prior to being mailed. Contact the Registrar to make arrangements to pick up your diploma. 

The name on the diploma reflects the information supplied on your graduation application, and any name changes must be communicated to the Registrar's Office at least four weeks before the conferral date.

Diplomas are sent via USPS Certified Mail and must be signed for by the recipient. Updated addresses are crucial by the Friday prior to commencement, with a three-week delivery allowance.

Failing any major courses will result in the non-issuance of the diploma.

All financial obligations to the university must be settled before diplomas are released.

Family and friends who are unable to attend the ceremony can watch the ceremony live on Lincoln University's livestream page. Recordings will be shared on YouTube the following week.

A professional photographer will be provided by GradImages. Proofs will be sent to your home and via email 3 to 5 days after they are taken. Pictures can be purchased online, by phone or by email through GradImages. Go to gradimages.com or call 800-261-2576.

Sign Up with GradImages early to save 20%.

Are you ready to finish your degree at Lincoln University of Missouri? Our campus community is ready to celebrate your milestone! All candidates for graduation must have filed for their degree prior to graduation. 

You must complete an application for graduation before you can participate in a graduation ceremony and receive a diploma.  

• Students go to their advisor to request a major or minor checklist.
• The advisor completes the checklist and forwards it to their Department Head along with a current telephone contact number for the student.
• The Department Head verifies the checklist and forwards it to the Office of the Registrar.
• The Registrar does an initial check by reviewing the major checklist and the general education checklist to ensure that the student will meet all graduation requirements upon completion of the student's current coursework (subtract developmental work, add total hours, counts upper division hours, etc.).
• If the student has met the initial check, the Registrar's Office will contact the student at the contact number provided on the checklist or by campus e-mail. Once contacted, the student will be able to file by first paying the $40.00 graduation fee to the Cashier's Office and then completing the "Application for Degree" form located in the Registrar's Office. If the student is short total hours, upper division hours or not registered in the required courses they will not be allowed to file.
• If the student comes to the Office of the Registrar to file and we do not have a major checklist from the Department Head, the student will need to follow up with their advisor and check back with the Registrar's Office.