AHS Class of 2021 – Let’s Celebrate!
Saturday, May 8, 2021
Although we cannot fully celebrate your outstanding achievements in-person, please take a look at the many ways to celebrate your special day!
UIC Grad Box: Order by May 10. UIC will also be sending a UIC Grad Box for those who complete the form found at the following link. The UIC Grad Box contains a Class of 2021 t-shirt, UIC Alumni sticker, and UIC pop socket. Diploma covers may also be requested for those not participating in the In-Person Graduation Experiences.
GRAD FEST: Virtual Scavenger Hunt: May 2 – 8. There’s still time to join the UIC Alumni Association for Virtual Grad Fest, an interactive experience exclusively for the Class of 2021. Learn about alumni benefits and resources while completing tasks and challenges for your chance to WIN PRIZES, including iPad Minis, diploma frames, and UIC gear.
In-Person Graduation Experience: May 7 – May 9. Graduates whose in-person commencement ceremonies were postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions have been invited to participate in an In-Person Graduation Experience in the UIC Forum. This includes graduates from the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021. Graduates will process across the stage, receive a UIC diploma cover, have their photograph taken, and be greeted by a UIC Administrator. Doctoral students who will be hooded should bring a family member on stage to hood them. Graduates can invite up to three guests to attend. There will be a “livestream” of the In-Person Graduation Experience. Each graduate has been assigned a stage which is notated at the bottom of their “GradPass” confirmation email. Additional details can be found here.
Celebrate at Home: Try one of the many UIC themed appetizers or drinks created by our Student Nutrition Association (SNA). Show your pride by decorating your graduation cap with ideas from our ASAP staff or singing the UIC Fight Song. Be sure to tag your graduation-related social media posts with #UICgrad21 and #AHSgrad21.
Appetizers & More:
Show Your Pride:
Share your Accomplishments: Now – May 8. Graduates participating in campus research or capstone projects may submit a “Graduate Profile” to be highlighted on our AHS social media platforms. Refer to this link for additional details.
Share Your Celebration: Now – May 9. Share photos of your graduation celebrations via this link so we can highlight you on AHS social media platforms. Or, simply tag your graduation-related social media posts with #UICgrad21 and #AHSgrad21.
UIC Bookstore Caps and Gowns: April 5 – May 8. Although caps and gowns are not required to participate in the In-Person Graduation Experience, you may wish to take photos of your own or wear your regalia as you process across the stage at the In-Person Graduation Experience. Caps and gowns may be purchased on the UIC Bookstore website or in the store. Curbside pickup will be available. You may request your items be shipped, but we recommend ordering as soon as possible to ensure your regalia arrives in time.
Latin Honors Cords: The Latin honor cords will be distributed this week (5/3), Monday – Friday, from 10am – 4pm in the White Oak Room in Student Center East. Eligible graduates were notified on Wednesday by the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Affairs. Cords will also be available at the In-Person Graduation Experience this weekend (5/7-5/9).
For eligible undergraduate students who do not attend the In-Person Graduation Experience, cords will be shipped after the spring graduation experiences have concluded.
Diploma Covers: Diploma covers will be distributed to graduates attending the In-Person Graduation Experience in the UIC Forum. For graduates not participating in the In-Person Graduation Experience, you may request a diploma cover be shipped to you by completing the UIC Grad Box request form found here.
Keep Your UIC Email Address: As a benefit of being an alumnus of UIC, graduates may retain their UIC email address which can be forwarded to a personal email address of their choosing. However this benefit is not automatic, graduates must opt-in to receive this benefit using the form found at the following link once their degree has posted. (NOTE: Spring degrees are generally all posted by the first Friday in June.) Additional information and frequently asked questions about forwarding your UIC email address can be found here.
Virtual Photo Booth: The virtual photo booth will be available May 3 – 7. This service is free and graduates can create as many photos as they would like. The photo booth will open again with a new link after graduates have had time to receive their photos from the in-person experiences.
Student Center East Photo Ops: The East Terrace in Student Center East will be set up this week with college banners and a UIC backdrop with balloon arch for anyone who would like to take photos there. These will be up through Sunday. Student Center East will also be showing the livestreams of the in-person experiences, graduates who have more than three guests can take advantage of that.
Other Graduation related FAQs can be found here.