Prepare for graduation
Go through the following steps, starting in the fall before you plan to graduate, to receive your degree in May.
Fall 2008 • Apply for a degree
Download a form online, or pick one up at the registrar's office
Review common questions about your Academic Evaluation Report, degree requirements, and credits required for participation in this year's graduation ceremony.
Fall 2008 • Update your address (if off campus in spring 2009)
Studying off campus in spring 2009? Finishing your classes in December 2008? Be sure to give the registrar’s office your spring address; otherwise, your Senior Salute packet and other information will be mailed to your parents’ address.
February 17-18, 2009 • Attend Senior Salute!
Library Lobby
Tuesday: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Note: Attending Senior Salute is required in order to participate in the Commencement ceremony!
February 19, 2009 • "100 Days to Graduation" celebration
3:30–5 p.m., Fieldhouse Atrium
This celebration for seniors only is hosted by the Alumni Association during Homecoming week. There will be prizes and cash give-aways, including a $5 coupon for concessions for each senior.
April 3, 2009 • Professor of the Year award nominations due
Submit to K4L (Knights for Life) at the alumni office, Youngsma Center
April 9, 2009 • Final day to drop a course at the registrar's office
April 22, 2009 • Honors Convocation
7:30 p.m., Fine Arts Center
April 24, 2009 • Commencement ticket order forms due
Box Office
These forms were provided at Senior Salute. Replacement forms are available at the box office. Ticket requests must include any requests for special seating (e.g. wheelchair access) or other accommodations (e.g. sign language interpretation) for you or your guests.
May 7-23 • Complete online senior survey
In order to pick up your cap and gown, all grads MUST complete the online senior survey. Instructions to complete the survey »
May 8, 2009 • Parent breakfast tickets orders due
If your parents wish to purchase tickets for the Breakfast for Parents of Graduates, those orders are due to the box office by May 8.
May 11–22, 2009 • Commencement ticket pick-up
Graduates may pick up their Commencement ceremony ticket orders from the box office. You are responsible to distribute allotted tickets to parents, family members, and other guests. Note: Student ID required.
May 22–23, 2009 • Cap and gown pick-up
9 a.m.–4 p.m., Fine Arts Center Room 123
Graduates stop here to pick up their cap and gown, complete their alumni survey and receive Commencement photo information.
May 21–22, 2009 • Commencement Activities
Nursing Department Pinning Ceremony
Worship Service
Commencement Cookout
Art Gallery Reception for the BA Exhibition
Reception for International Graduates and their Parents
Education Department Teacher Commissioning Ceremony
May 23, 2009 • Zero Day: Senior breakfast celebration
Includes presentation of the 2009 Professor of the Year Award
9 a.m., Commons Dining Hall
Since there is no Commencement rehearsal, grads must attend the Zero Day senior breakfast to receive instructions about where to line up (students line up by academic department...and your parents will want to know where to find you!) and processional/recessional format. Students can also clarify pronunciation of their name with those who will be reading names during the ceremony.
SFC seating chart (PDF, 48Kb) to locate your approximate seat.
Grads must arrive by 1:30 p.m. for processional line-up (PDF, 147Kb)
May 23, 2009 • Commencement ceremony and reception
2 p.m., Van Noord Arena
Graduates must report for the processional line-up by 1:30 p.m. Overflow seating for family and friends will be in the Fine Arts Center and the Chapel. There will be a punch and cookie reception on the Commons Lawn following the ceremony.
May 23, 2009 by 5 p.m. • Commencement robe return
Graduates must return their robes to Hoogenboom Room 204 (formerly PE Room 262) by 5 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. Grads may keep their cap and tassel.