Congratulations on your upcoming graduation from Texas Lutheran University! This memorandum provides information about the December 19 graduate hooding ceremony, baccalaureate service, and commencement.
Please read these instructions carefully as this will be the only detailed communication you receive and there will be no rehearsals for these events.
KEY INFORMATION:
- Regalia: TLU is partnering with Herff Jones to give you a customized commencement gown. Our undergraduate gowns will have detailed TLU gold sleeves with our institutional flame logo. The caps will encompass an updated tassel that showcases our university colors—black and gold.
Master's regalia and hoods will also be available through Herff Jones, along with graduation announcements, and more.
You can order here: https://collegegrad.herffjones.com/site/descriptors
The deadline to order regalia and announcements is November 12, 2026. Orders are actively shipping now and will ship within two weeks of order placement.
The TLU Bookstore will not have gowns/announcements for purchase. All orders must be placed through Herff Jones.
The cost of the undergraduate gown, cap, and tassel is $68.80 plus shipping.
The cost of the graduate gown, hood, cap, and tassel is $103.75 plus shipping.
All graduates will receive email communication from Herff Jones with this information.
Should you have any questions, contact our campus bookstore.
- Thursday, Nov. 12: Deadline to order Cap/Gown
- Tuesday, Dec. 1 (3–6 p.m.): Grad Gear Up! (Dunne Conference Center, Tschoepe Hall)
This is your opportunity to take care of all things pertaining to graduation at one location. Verify the reading of your name at the ceremony and on your diploma, wrap up loose ends with the business and financial aid offices, pick up your rain tickets, and take care of any other important graduation business.
GRADUATE HOODING CEREMONY
Date: Saturday, Dec. 19
Time: 9 a.m.
Place: Chapel of the Abiding Presence
Graduates who are to receive a doctoral or master’s hood at Winter Commencement will be contacted directly by their program advisors with details regarding the hooding ceremony.
BACCALAUREATE SERVICE
Date: Saturday, Dec. 19
Time: 10 a.m.
Place: Chapel of the Abiding Presence
Report to the Alumni Student Center by 9:45 a.m. to line up for the processional to the chapel. Wear your gown and hood (graduate program graduates) but not your cap. Also, do not wear any honor cords or medals that you may receive from an honor society or other organization. These are not worn until the commencement ceremony that afternoon. The head marshal will be present to assist with the line-up. The program participants will go first, followed by the faculty, then the graduates. The crucifer will lead the processional into the chapel. The head marshal will direct program participants and faculty to their seats. The graduates will be led by an assistant marshal and directed to their seats. Remain standing in place until the signal to be seated is given.
For the recessional, the crucifer will retrieve the cross from its stand and lead the way out. The graduates, faculty, and program participants will follow. Again, the marshals will be leading everyone out, so simply follow their direction.
If you are interested in being part of the planning team for baccalaureate, please contact Pastor Wes Cain at kwcain@tlu.edu by Friday, Nov. 13. All are welcome to help plan the music, readings, and other aspects of the service.
COMMENCEMENT
Date: Saturday, Dec. 19
Time: 1 p.m.
Place: Library Lawn
The stage will be set up directly in front of the library, with the lawn between the library and Tschoepe Hall as the seating area. There will be plenty of seating for family, friends, and invited guests. Tickets will not be used, except in the event of rain. Each graduate will be given 7 “rain tickets,” which will be used if the ceremony is moved to Jackson Auditorium due to inclement weather. More information will be sent regarding rain plans as graduation draws closer and as needed.
Please note the Commencement Weather Policy:
The outdoor commencement ceremony will be evaluated using the National Weather Service spot forecast issued at noon on the Tuesday prior to the event (approximately 96 hours in advance).
The event will be moved indoors if, at the scheduled ceremony time, any of the following are forecast:
- Sustained winds above 20 mph or wind gusts above 25 mph;
- Wind chill at or below 40°F or a heat index at or above 105°F; or
- A 40% or greater chance of severe weather or precipitation exceeding 0.10 inches.
At the time of the ceremony, the university policy on lightning in the area will be followed.
For Commencement on the library lawn, report to Tostengard Activity Center by 12 p.m. to line up for the processional, last minute instructions, clarification of the pronunciation of names, and picture taking. Diplomas, which you will carry across the stage with you, will also be distributed at lineup. The faculty marshals will be present to assist with the lineup, and charts will be posted along the formation area.
At 12:55 p.m., the crucifer will lead the procession from the Tostengard Activity Center to the library lawn. The faculty marshals will direct the faculty, graduates, and platform party to their respective seats. Remain standing in place until the signal to be seated is given. If someone is missing from their assigned space on the seating chart, leave that seat open, as the person may arrive late.
When it is time to present the diplomas, listen for President Cottrell to ask Dr. Vrooman, Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, to present the candidates. Dr. Vrooman will read a line, which ends “...will please rise.” Do so as a group. The president will speak a few more lines and then Dr. Vrooman will ask the candidates to “present themselves as their names are called.” A faculty marshal will direct you, row by row, to the steps on the right side of the stage. Proceed to the top step and wait for your name to be called. Mr. Mike Washington, chair of the Board of Regents, will shake your hand as you proceed across the stage. He will also present university honor cords (e.g., summa cum laude) to those eligible for them. You will cross the stage, and Dr. Cottrell will shake your hand while you pose for a photo taken by the professional photographer. You may sit down as soon as you return to your seat.
After the benediction, the crucifer will lead the recessional to the Victory Bell. The platform party, graduates, and faculty will follow as directed by the faculty marshals. When you reach the Victory Bell, feel free to ring it and celebrate your new status as a TLU graduate!
For your convenience on graduation day, the TLU Bookstore will be open from 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
The ceremony will also be livestreamed at www.TLU.edu/graduation.
Again, congratulations on your scheduled graduation!