2023 Graduation Ceremony

Participants will attend rehearsal at Lightsey Chapel on Friday, May 5 at 1:30 p.m. The rehearsal will last approximately 90 minutes. Special instructions will
be given regarding parking and entrance to the coliseum during rehearsal. After
rehearsal you will have the chance to meet with faculty who announce your name
when walking across the stage. If you are worried your name will be
mispronounced, please meet with them to make sure they are pronouncing your
name correctly. We strongly encourage all students to attend.

Graduates must be in line at the coliseum before 9:00 am on Saturday Morning.

There will be no tickets needed this year.

The Commencement Ceremony is a very special occasion, so please dress
appropriately.

Men should wear khakis or dress pants, dark (flat) shoes, and a shirt
with a collar.  Ladies should very seriously consider flat shoes – dark colors are
preferable. No flip flops or tennis shoes are permitted.

NO graduate is permitted to place anything on his/her gown or hood. Approved honor cords (limit of 2), a stole and/or an Honor program medallion are the only authorized items. No hat decorations are permitted. Honor cords will be distributed at Check-In with the Registrar’s Office staff.

If you are wearing a stole, you will not be permitted to wear honor cords.  The only exception is for Veterans, who will be wearing a set of red, white, and blue cords.  If the guidelines are not followed, your organization will not be permitted to wear stoles at future graduations.

If you choose to wear honor cords, you may only display two sets outside your gown until the appropriate time.

NO OTHER medals, banners, scarves, etc. can show outside the gown except the
red, white, and blue cords for U.S. Veterans. Monitors will pull you from the line
before you go up the steps if you do not adhere to this rule.  If you are pulled from
the line, your diploma will be mailed to you.

Contact your academic honor society advisors to obtain cords/stole. Please do not
decorate or embellish your cap or gown. You will not be able to participate
in the ceremony if you do.

Masking is optional, but approved if you or your family feels more comfortable wearing a mask.

Ample parking is available in the Coliseum lots and parking garage. Parking is free!

Anyone needing special assistance, parking, etc. should park in the handicapped
parking area, on the right of the coliseum and go in the ground level entrance. An
attendant will help seat guests behind the graduates (or they can take the elevator
up to the regular seating area).

TBA