2008 Graduating Students
Apply for Graduation
Download and print the Apply for Graduation form.
Complete the form. Sign and mail it by May 9th to:
American College of Education
Attn: Records and Registration
P.O. Box 2373
Chicago, IL 60690-2373
Deadline is May 9, 2008
Commencement
The Commencement Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Grand Ballroom, Navy Pier, Chicago, Illinois.
View the Save the Date pdf.
Arrival Time and Assembling Point
Candidates are asked to arrive no later than 5:00 p.m. to assemble at the upper-level lobby of the Grand Ballroom. Candidates will assemble and take their place in the procession order. At that time, final instructions for the procession will be given. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for guests who will be seated in the Grand Ballroom.
Beginning with the academic procession at 6:00 p.m. and concluding at approximately 8:30 p.m., the ceremony will feature the conferral of degrees, greetings by College officials, and remarks by the commencement speaker. Directional signage will be placed throughout Navy Pier.
Tickets
Graduates do not require tickets for admission, but tickets are required for guests of graduates. Each graduate will receive four (4) tickets for Commencement. Tickets will be mailed to the graduates by the end of May. Small children who can be held comfortably in the lap of an adult for several hours will not need a ticket. Seating is general admission.
Name Cards
Candidates will pick up his/her name card before lining up in the procession. This will be used to read your name on stage.
Academic Attire
Candidates participating in the commencement ceremony are required to wear appropriate academic attire. Academic attire consists of a cap, a gown, a hood, and a tassel, and may be ordered through May 2 online at Herff Jones. Candidates will not be charged for the cost of the attire but will be charged a shipping fee for the cost of mailing required garb directly to their specified mailing address.
Online orders must be placed by 11:59 p.m., May 2.
Announcements
Personalized announcements may be purchased at Herff Jones.
Diplomas
Diplomas will be mailed to graduates after graduation. Please allow up to 10 weeks for delivery.
Diploma Frames
Diploma frames with the American College of Education seal may be purchased at Herff Jones Collegiate Frames™.
PhotographerA photographer will be present to take photos of each Candidate receiving a diploma. Candidate and family portraits will also be available starting at 4:00 p.m. Portrait stations will be located on the upper-level lobby of the Grand Ballroom.
American College of Education Memorabilia
Order customized merchandise at American College of Education's CafePress store. Choose from a variety of t-shirts, sweatshirts, caps and mugs.
Directions to Navy Pier
From the Southwest: 1-55 (Stevenson Expressway) to Lake Shore Drive North. Exit at Grand Avenue/Illinois Street.
From the South: 1-57 N to I-90/94 (Dan Ryan Expressway) to Lake Shore Drive North. Exit Grand Avenue/Illinois Street.
From the Southeast: I-90/94 E (Dan Ryan Expressway) to I-55 N (Stevenson Expressway) to Lake Shore Drive North. Exit Grand Avenue/Illinois Street.
From the North: I-90/94 E (Kennedy Expressway) to Ohio Street exit. Turn right on Fairbanks/Columbus Drive and then left on Illinois to Navy Pier.
From the West: I-290 (Eisenhower Expressway) to Lake Shore Drive North. Exit Grand Avenue/Illinois Street.
Public Transportation: There are CTA bus routes that service Navy Pier. They include: #2 Hyde Park Express, #65 Grand, #29 State, #66 Chicago, #120 Northwestern/Wacker Express, #121 Union/Wacker Express, #124-Navy Pier.
Parking
Public parking is available at Navy Pier parking garages. Follow signs to the north side of the Pier for parking. Standard parking rate is $19.
Accommodations
Club Quarters, Central Loop located at 111 West Adams Street, Chicago, Illinois, is pleased to offer sleeping accommodations for the guests of the American College of Education Graduation.
For more information, and to receive the discount rate, visit Club Quarters and use this password: american college of education.
Special Needs
There are handicapped spaces in the parking garage. Persons can be dropped off at Entrance 2 - Lobby 3 if needed. Inside the building, you will be directed to the reserved seating areas. Sign language interpretation will be provided on stage at the ceremony; therefore, hearing-impaired candidates and guests should sit as close to the stage as possible.
