Preparing to Graduate

Tickets

Tickets are not required for the December 13th commencement ceremony.

Academic Regalia

Everyone who participates in an academic ceremony on Commencement Day must wear a cap and gown of the appropriate color and style, as approved by the University. All graduates must pick up their caps and gowns before the day of the ceremony.

Your cap and gown will be available for pick-up in the Registrar’s Office from December 8 to December 11 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on December 12 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

If you previously indicated you were not participating in commencement exercises and now plan on walking, please call 503-280-8510 immediately!

Baccalaureate

Baccalaureate takes place on Saturday, December 13, 2008. Students meet at St. Michael’s to dress for Baccalaureate at 9:00 a.m. if you plan on participating. The service begins at 9:30 a.m. Participants do wear their cap, hood, and gown for Baccalaureate, so be sure to bring your regalia with you.

Day of Graduation

Graduating students assemble in the FAB (Fine Arts Building - next to the Gym on NE 27th Avenue) by 10:30 a.m. In lieu of a rehearsal, Concordia staff members will instruct you on marching procedures and will be available to answer your questions.

Lining up for the Commencement Ceremony

For help with cap and gown proceed to the tables near the front door where Concordia staff will assist you.

  • Cap: Tassel goes on the right side until the diploma is received and then it is moved to the left.
  • Undergraduate Students
    • Hood: In the front of the body the narrow colored velvet goes up against the neck, school colors of white and blue are pulled out to be visible. Do not pull the hood completely inside out.
    • Medallions, cords, etc., go under the front of the Hood.
  • Graduate students place the right arm through the narrow end of the hood with velvet color towards the body. The hood will be placed over the students’ heads on the stage during the ceremony. Tassel goes on the right side of the cap until after the hooding.
  • Take a program and locate your name.
  • Seating in the FAB is assigned according to the program. Once you are seated your name will be checked off the attendance list.
  • Do not leave personal items in the FAB. The room remains unlocked and is not a secure area.
  • Once all students are accounted for, students and faculty walk out in two rows, side by side from the West doors to the NE 27th Avenue sidewalk, then through the glass doors of the West main entrance of the gymnasium.
  • During commencement, men remove caps for prayer, invocation, and benediction.

After the Ceremony

A reception for graduates, friends and family will take place in the dining hall (Hagen Center) following the Commencement ceremony.

Making Sure You are Eligible to Walk

To participate in the ceremony, all outstanding official transcripts from other colleges must be submitted to the Registrar’s office by Wednesday, December 10. If you are taking a course elsewhere during the Fall term and an official transcript will not be available in time, submit a letter from your instructor by December 10 stating the end date for the course and your expected grade. This letter allows you to participate in the ceremony; however, you will not receive your diploma until the official transcript is received.

Diplomas

All incompletes from the previous summer semester and prior must be completed and grades submitted by December 10. All course work must be completed within five weeks after the start of the Spring session, including incompletes from Fall Semester 2008. Your diploma will be held by the Registrar until your course work is completed and grades are submitted. It is our hope you will receive your diploma at the commencement ceremony. Other issues that will prevent you from receiving your diploma at commencement include:

  • Outstanding library books - contact the library at 503-280-8507.
  • Outstanding bill - contact Business Services at 503-280-8503.
  • Outstanding official transcripts or incompletes - contact the Registrar’s Office at 503-280-8510.
  • Outstanding PLA - if you are receiving credits through PLA, your notebooks should be turned in by now. If you have not turned them in yet, please contact the Registrar’s office.
  • Outstanding CLEP exams - all exams should have been completed by November 15th, and all scores must be received by December 10

All issues will need to be resolved by the end of the business day on December 10 in order to receive your diploma at the commencement ceremony. If you do not receive your diploma at the graduation ceremony, your diploma will be mailed to you once the outstanding issues have been resolved. The diploma will be sent to the address indicated on your graduation application. If this address has changed, contact the Registrar’s office immediately.

Academic Honors

Graduation honors are granted to undergraduate students as follows: Cum Laude to students with a minimum 3.50 GPA, Magna Cum Laude to students with a minimum 3.70 GPA, Summa Cum Laude to students with a minimum 3.90 GPA. Honors are calculated on the overall cumulative GPA on your transcript, including transfer credits, through the prior summer semester. Students achieving academic honors will receive an honors medallion with their cap and gown.

Students fulfilling the requirements for a graduate degree are required to maintain a minimum 3.00 GPA. The hood and Master’s degree speak to the outstanding quality of work and high achievement of graduate students.

Photography

Professional photography is provided by Photographs by Kellie. Students have two options for photography during graduation.

  1. Photographs will be taken as you cross the platform and accept your diploma. No payment is required on graduation day; you may order online at your convenience. (See online viewing directions below)
  2. Posed, formal cap and gown portraits will be available at the Reception following the ceremony. Portraits can be of the graduate alone or with family members. No payment is required on graduation day; you may order online at your convenience. (See online viewing directions below)

Online viewing directions

Approximately 7 to 10 days after graduation go to the photosbykellie.com website. Enter, click Online Events and select Concordia Graduation. Click and enter the password “Concordia” to view pictures.