LRU Commencement

APPLICATION: The deadline for submitting your graduation application is April 6, 2018. Late applications may result in your name being omitted from the commencement program. You can locate applications for graduation from the Office of the Registrar.

GRADUATION INFO FAIR: The Grad Fair will be held in Cromer Center Lobby. For your convenience, you can choose which day to come: Wednesday, March 28, 10 am – 2 pm or Thursday, March 29, 2 pm – 6 pm. One stop is all it takes to get all your commencement-related questions answered.

CAPS & GOWNS: You can purchase your caps, gowns, and stoles at the Grad Fair. If you have to miss the Grad Fair, you can still purchase your regalia in the LR Bookstore. Contact Lucy Manzanares at 828.328.7142 or manzanaresl@lr.edu if you have additional questions or concerns.

ANNOUNCEMENT CARDS & INVITATIONS: Order your personalized invitations and announcement cards at the Grad Fair. You can also order them online from Herff Jones. The LR Bookstore will carry a limited number of general announcements for purchase.

BEARS FOR LIFE: You can sign up to join the LR Network at the Grad Fair or by contacting Cheryl Abee, LR’s Director of Alumni Engagement.

CAREER SERVICES: You can meet with your career advisor to refine your job search, interact with employers at recruiting events, connect with alumni at networking receptions, or receive information about graduate schools. Contact Katie Wohlman, Assistant Dean of Student Life and Director of Career and Professional Development, if you have additional questions.

IN ABSENTIA: All candidates are expected to attend the commencement exercise unless you have received permission in writing from the University Registrar. If you cannot attend the ceremony, please email University Registrar (Mr. Stacey Brackett) at registrar@lr.edu with an appropriate justification to receive permission to graduate in absentia.

Students who wish to participate in a commencement ceremony prior to satisfaction of all requirements necessary for graduation:

Students who wish to participate in a graduate or undergraduate commencement ceremony prior to the completion of all requirements for graduation may do so only if:
- They have six or fewer credit hours remaining to meet requirements for graduation after the semester in which they wish to participate in commencement (as confirmed by the Registrar);
- They demonstrate that they intend to complete the remaining necessary hours in the next available semester, including summer school, e.g., by registration for classes in summer term for the May Commencement or Spring Semester for the December Commencement);
- They have met all other requirements for graduation (academic, convocation, financial, or otherwise); and
- They inform the Registrar of their intention by mid-term of the semester in which the ceremony occurs, and the Registrar’s audit confirms that all other academic requirements have been satisfied, are being satisfied in the current term, or will be fulfilled in the remaining six hours or less in the subsequent term. If the student fails to complete any of the necessary courses in the current term, these hours will be applied against the six-hour limit for the following semester.

Students who are approved to participate in a commencement ceremony prior to completion of all requirements for graduation:
- Will not be conferred their actual degree/diploma until all requirements have been met for graduation, as confirmed by the Registrar (but may be hooded in the graduate ceremony);
- Will not be eligible to be considered for first or second high honors;
- Will not be recognized for certain other academic recognitions during the actual ceremony, including Latin honors and/or any other academic honors that cannot be finally determined prior to actual completion of all requirements for graduation;
- Will not be considered a part of their later cohort (at which time all requirements are actually satisfied) for purposes of determining academic high honors and/or any other comparatively determined awards; and
- Will have their names denoted on the commencement program as having not yet fulfilled all requirements for graduation.

TIME & LOCATION: Commencement will be held on Friday, May 11, 2018. Graduate Hooding & Commencement will take place in PE Monroe Auditorium at 3 pm. Undergraduate Commencement will be at Moretz Stadium at 7 pm. Please reference the Commencement Schedule of Events in the tab below for additional information regarding Commencement activities. Degree candidates (undergraduate and graduate students) who have met all degree requirements and received approval must arrive at the check-in location at least an hour and a half before the ceremony in Mauney Music Building lobby. There will be no rehearsal.

DIPLOMAS: Diplomas will be withheld from those students with outstanding financial obligations to the University. Please check with the Business Office prior to Graduation. Additionally, undergraduate students must have completed all Convocation requirements in order to receive their Diploma. Please check your Convocation status with the Learning Commons to ensure your diploma will not be withheld.

Only diploma covers will be handed out during the ceremony. After the ceremony has ended, students pick up their diploma in Shuford Gymnasium. Representatives from Enrollment Management will be available to hand out diplomas for one hour after commencement concludes. Note: Friends/family members may not pick up the diploma on your behalf.

PERSONAL DRESS: Candidates should wear clothing appropriate for this significant occasion. Improper dress may cause a candidate to be withdrawn from participation. Cords, pins, or medallions will be allowed only if they are symbolic of campus-wide and programmatic academic honors, e.g., academic honor societies.

CAPS/MORTAR BOARDS: Extra decorations are not allowed on your graduation cap (Mortar Board) during the Commencement ceremony.

TASSELS: Students completing their undergraduate degree will start out wearing their tassel on the right side of their cap. During the ceremony, they will be prompted to move it to the left, signifying they have earned your bachelor’s degree. Graduate degree candidates will already have their tassels on the left side of their mortar boards.

HONOR CORDS: Gold, silver, and bronze honor cords will be given to undergraduates for summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude candidates (respectively) who have fully completed all academic requirements for graduation. These are furnished during the line-up for the processional immediately prior to the ceremony. Other cords, pins, or medallions will be allowed only if they are symbolic of campus-wide and programmatic academic honors, e.g., academic honor societies. Students who have completed at least 63 hours at Lenoir-Rhyne are eligible for Latin Honors.

CEREMONY: Candidates will line up and proceed to their seats from the Mauney Music Building to the auditorium following the instructions of the Dean of Student Life.

For undergraduates, the tassel is to be worn on the right side of the cap. Remain standing until you are signaled to sit. Follow Dr. Whitt’s instructions to simultaneously move your tassel to the left side of your cap. During the announcing of graduates during the ceremony, remain seated until your row is called. When your name is read, proceed across the stage to receive your diploma cover, shake the hands of the President and Board of Trustees Chair, and exit the other side of the stage and back to your row of seats.

For graduate students, Dr. Whitt will ask each set of degree recipients to stand to announce conferral of degree. When your name is called to cross the stage, you will be hooded by a member of your program’s faculty, receive your diploma cover, shake the hands of the President and Board of Trustees Chair, and exit the other side of the stage and back to your row of seats.

All graduates will have a professional photo taken as you cross the stage and return to your seat. Please be cognizant of that moment and provide a nice photo opportunity.

Led by the Dean of Student Life, graduates will recess from the auditorium at the end of the ceremony, front row first. You can pick up your diploma in the locale designated during the line-up before the processional. Diplomas will be available for one hour after the ceremony is completed.

TIME & LOCATION: Commencement will be held on Friday, May 11, 2018. Graduate Hooding & Commencement will take place in PE Monroe Auditorium at 3 pm. Undergraduate Commencement will be at Moretz Stadium at 7 pm. Please reference the Commencement Schedule of Events in the tab below for additional information regarding Commencement activities.

TICKETS: Tickets are only necessary should weather permit the ceremony from being held outside. Additional information regarding rain tickets will be posted as soon as that information is confirmed.

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: Interpreters/Transliterators and Assistive Listening Devices for deaf and hard-of-hearing guests are available upon request. Please contact Sherry Proctor at 828.328.7296 or sherry.proctor@lr.edu at least two weeks in advance to make your request.

Additionally, if you or a family member have a disability requiring any accommodations for special seating, etc., please contact Ms. Proctor at least two weeks in advance to make your request.

PARKING & SHUTTLE SERVICE: Parking is available around campus, most especially in the Moretz Stadium Parking Lot on Stasavich Place across from the back on PE Monroe Auditorium. There will be a limited number of handicapped parking spaces in front of Moretz Stadium where drivers may also drop off guests. If needed, security officers can direct you to golf cart service.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Photos and videos may be taken from the audience or from a designated area at the front of the auditorium, where guests may come for temporary access for photography. Guests should return to their seating after taking the photos to furnish others access to the designated space. The University has contracted with a professional company, who will photograph each graduate receiving their diploma and post the photos online for you to view or order on the Photo Specialties website. An individual password for each graduate will be e-mailed from Photo Specialties when photos are posted. In addition a paper proof will be mailed to each graduate’s permanent address. There is no obligation to buy.

LODGING IN HICKORY: The following is a list of hotels/motels which give discounts for LR related events. Call them directly to confirm discounts and rates:
Best Western 828.323.1150
Comfort Suites 828.323.1211
Courtyard by Marriott 828.267.2100
Hampton Inn 828.624.2000
Crowne Plaza 828.323.1000
Holiday Inn Express 828.328.2081
Fairfield Inn 828.431.3000
Sleep Inn 828.323.1140
LaQuinta Inn & Suites 828.465.1100
Hilton Garden Inn 828.327.1000

Graduation applications are available beginning one year before your ceremony. You can download the form here. Scroll down to the Forms section, and select Application for Graduation. Completed forms can be scanned and emailed to registrar@lr.edu or mailed to:

Lenoir-Rhyne University
Registrar’s Office
PO Box 7227
Hickory, NC 28603

Caps, Gowns, Stoles & Hoods: Caps, gowns, and stoles are required to process, and may be purchased at the LR Bookstore. Contact Lucy Manzanares at 828.328.7142 or manzanaresl@lr.edu. Be sure you arrange to have your purchase shipped to your home. Cost is about $100. If you plan to walk, order ASAP to ensure your size is available. If you need help affording your regalia, please email Susy.Chandler@lr.edu.

Graduation Announcements & Personalized Invitations: You may order personalized invitations and announcement cards online at herffjones.com/college/lru. The LR Bookstore will carry a limited number of general announcements for purchase.

Career Services: You can meet with your career advisor to refine your job search, interact with employers at recruiting events, connect with alumni at networking receptions, or receive information about graduate schools. Contact Katie Wohlman at katie.wohlman@lr.edu.

Alumni Association:Sign up to become a Bear for Life! You will also have an opportunity to contribute to your class gift, designating it in memory or in honor of someone special. Contact Cheryl Abee at lru.director@alumni.lr.edu.

Graduates will assemble promptly at 8 am in the 2^nd Floor Boardroom on the LR Asheville Campus (two hours before the ceremony). At this time, graduates will check-in and will be given instructions about the procession and ceremony. Graduates will be shuttled to Vance Monument to line up for the processional. A shuttle will be available to take you back to campus after the reception, starting at 12 pm.

Processional: For our graduates, the ceremony will start at Vance Monument with a procession down Biltmore Avenue to The Orange Peel. Graduates will form a single line, and be placed in alphabetical order by degree program. Master’s graduates are to wear tassels on the left side and carry hoods over one arm.

The faculty marshal will lead the procession from the Vance Monument to The Orange Peel. Graduates should remain standing once you reach your reserved seats until instructed to sit.

If you are unable to participate in the procession, please let us know beforehand (email susy.chandler@lr.edu) and meet us at The Orange Peel no later than 9:50 am.

Personal Dress: Graduates should wear clothing appropriate for a significant occasion.

Hooding and Conferring of Degrees: you will be directed to the stage (with your hood!), row by row. When your name is read your program advisor will place the hood on you. You will then move to your left across the stage to receive your diploma. Continue across to shake hands with the President of the University and other dignitaries. You will be given 60 seconds to address your family and friends at a microphone on stage with thanks, or whatever feels appropriate. Exit via the back of the stage (look for someone motioning you toward the door) and return to your seat.