Commencement

Congratulations, doctors!

There is no bigger day of the year for us than commencement. After four years of hard work, we celebrate ICO’s newest doctors of optometry.

For those attending this year’s commencement there are further instructions below.

A Look Back

Class of 2020 Video

132 members in graduating class

Over 25% graduated with high honors

Relive past commencements

Commencement Parking

Parking and Transit

The Symphony Center is located at 220 South Michigan Avenue. An additional entrance for Symphony Center is located at 67 East Adams Street.

Parking

The Grant Park South Garage is located at 325 South Michigan Avenue and has direct access to Symphony Center. Look for signs in the garage to identify the best exit to access Symphony Center.

Driving Directions

From North: Take the Edens Expressway (I-94) to the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94). Exit at West Washington Boulevard and proceed east to Columbus Drive. Turn right and proceed south to East Congress Parkway. Turn right and then at Michigan Ave turn right again, heading north for one block. After Van Buren Street, enter the Grant Park South Garage located on your left, in the middle of Michigan Ave.

From Northwest: Take the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) to West Washington Boulevard. Exit at West Washington Boulevard and proceed east to Columbus Drive. Turn right and proceed south to East Congress Parkway. Turn right and then at Michigan Ave turn right again, heading north for one block. After Van Buren Street, enter the Grant Park South Garage located on your left, in the middle of Michigan Ave.

From West: The Eisenhower (I-290) becomes West Congress Parkway / Ida B. Wells Drive. Proceed east past Michigan Avenue. Turn left on to East Congress Plaza Drive, heading northwest. Turn right on to Michigan Avenue, heading north. Enter the Grant Park South Garage located on your left, in the middle of Michigan Ave.

From Southwest: Take the Stevenson Expressway (I-55) to Lake Shore Drive. Head north on Lake Shore Drive. Turn left on to East Balbo Drive, heading west. Turn right on to Michigan Avenue and head north for three blocks. After Van Buren Street the entrance to the Grant Park South Garage is located on your left, in the middle of Michigan Ave.

From South: Take the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-94) to West Roosevelt Road. Head east on West Roosevelt Road. Make a left ion to Michigan Avenue, heading north for seven blocks. After Van Buren Street the entrance to the Grant Park South Garage is located on your left, in the middle of Michigan Ave.

Public Transportation

Symphony Center is conveniently located near several Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), train and bus stations. The Adams/Wabash CTA train station (Brown, Green, Orange, and Pink lines) is located one block west. Buses that service the area include routes 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 26, 28, 126, 143, 147 and 151.

Metra provides service to many suburbs, departing from four downtown stations.

EVENT TEXT (JAN - MAY); USUALLY COMES FROM SHARRON
Commencement 2022

The year 2020, a symbolic time for optometry, is finally here! Please join us as we celebrate the Class of 2020 at ICO’s 177th Commencement. Our students will enter the profession as doctors, surrounded by the support of loved ones, friends, and the entire ICO family.

This year’s ICO Commencement will again be held at Chicago’s iconic Symphony Center. Bookmark this page and check back frequently for updated information.

Where:

Symphony Center

220 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60604

There are no blocks of rooms reserved in hotels.

When:
Saturday, May 16, 2020, 11 a.m.

Guests with tickets may enter Symphony Center at approximately 10:00 a.m. on a first come basis. (Any child occupying a seat will need a ticket.) At approximately 10:45 a.m., guests without tickets will be allowed seating as it is available.

For your planning purposes, the Ceremony lasts approximately 90 minutes. Please note that the Symphony Center does not allow balloons at their venue.

Parking:

Click here for information on garages surrounding the venue.

Many parking garages nearby. For discounted parking, try apps like ParkWhiz or SpotHero on your smart phone.

Photography:

Feel free to sit back and enjoy the festivities- we’ll have photography covered! A professional photographer will be capturing each graduate’s big moment on stage as s/he receives their diploma. ICO provides one portrait to each graduate at no cost of this picture. A formal group picture will also be taken. A gallery of candid photos will also become available on our Flickr page. Personal photography is allowed, but due to a very strict fire code, please do not step out of your seat or block aisles.

Social Media:

We’ll be posting Commencement news and pictures to ICO’s Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram throughout the day. Be sure to tag us and use hashtag #ICOClassof2020 to join the conversation!

Live Streaming:

For loved ones who cannot attend Commencement in person, ICO will be live streaming the ceremony on our Facebook page. Please “Like” us in advance, then visit the page at 11 a.m. on May 16.